Article 10: Office of the Ombudsperson

I. The President shall appoint a senior faculty member, executive manager, or other qualified person with the title of University Ombudsperson. The Ombudsperson shall respect the sensitive and confidential nature of the position and the privacy of all persons soliciting assistance from the Office of the Ombudsperson, thereby protecting them against retaliation. The Ombudsperson’s functions shall include the following charges:

A. The Ombudsperson shall establish simple, orderly procedures for receiving requests, complaints, and grievances from students.

B. The Ombudsperson shall assist students in accomplishing the expeditious settlement of their problems and may advise a student that the student’s request, complaint, or grievance lacks merit, or that the student should seek a remedy elsewhere in the University. The Ombudsperson may also assist the student in obtaining an informal settlement of the student’s problem.

II. The Ombudsperson shall have broad investigatory powers and direct and ready access to all University officials, including the President.

III. When necessary, the Ombudsperson shall report directly to the President valid complaints for which no remedy has been found. The Ombudsperson shall also report any recommendations regarding such complaints.

IV. The Ombudsperson shall make periodic reports to the President regarding the operation of the Office of the Ombudsperson.