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:
- Listen to you
- Answer your questions
- Discuss your concerns and clarify the issue
- Explain SVSU policies and procedures
- Provide information
- Develop options
- Offer a safe place for students to express grievances
- Assist you as you puruse resolution(s)
- Offer coaching for difficult conversations
- Make referrals to other campus and community resources
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 leagal 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 in 114 Curtiss Hall.
Please complete the Student Ombuds Intake Form to begin your contact with the Ombudsman.
