Ombudsman

Ombudsman

Here to Help

The Ombudsman helps students resolve concerns, problems, or conflicts with regards ‌to University policies, procedures, and decisions. The Ombudsman provides for a confidential and neutral place for students to come to express their concerns. Students work with the Ombudsman to identify steps that may be taken to achieve a timely and fair resolution to a problem.

The Ombudsman may collaborate with others in the University community regarding student concerns. The Ombudsman is interested in both issue resolution and prevention in resolving both academic and non-academic concerns.

You should contact the Ombudsman when you:

• Have a problem at SVSU and don’t know how to proceed
• Feel your concerns are not being addressed
• Find yourself entangled in bureaucratic red tape
• Need information about SVSU policies or procedures
• Need someone to help resolve or mediate a dispute with a student, faculty, or staff member
• Feel you have been treated unfairly
• Think the University has made an error
• Want information about grievance procedures and rights at SVSU
• Have suggestions about how to improve the University

The Ombudsman will:

The Ombudsman will not:

• Advocate for specific outcomes
• Conduct formal investigations
• Make decisions for students (or overturn decisions made by others)
• Supersede the authority of a University Official
• Replace or circumvent existing University channels
• Act as an agent of "notice" for the University
• Provide legal advice or represent students in a legal manner

How to Contact the University Ombudsman:

Contact the office directly via email at ombuds@svsu.edu or call 989.964.4410. You can visit the Student Affairs Office at 114 Curtiss Hall.

Please complete the Student Ombuds Intake Form to begin your contact with the Ombudsman.