Function of the Office of the Ombudsman
The purpose of the office is to assist students in resolving problems and conflicts that arise in the course of interacting with the institution. By considering problems in an unbiased way, the Ombudsman works to achieve a fair resolution and works to protect the rights of all parties involved.
The Office of the Ombudsman deals with student concerns of an academic nature. If a student problem is related to an academic program, the University Ombudsman is available to help and offer assistance. Such problems may be related to grades, differences of opinion with instructors, or any academic matter that needs resolution. Students are advised to first contact the instructor, the department chairperson, and/or the college dean before seeking assistance from the Ombudsman, although instances do exist where contact with the University Ombudsman first is beneficial.
When an academic regulation appears to result in undue hardship, students may petition for a waiver of the regulation. If a student wishes to appeal a decision of the University Senate Committee on Student Petitions, he/she may do so to the Office of the Ombudsman.
The Office of the University Ombudsman has been configured to handle academic matters for all levels of students with designated offices established for undergraduates, graduates, and professional programs. The office provides a facilitator and additional resource for the students of the University of Florida. In many instances, non-academic issues can be easily and readily resolved for the students merely by providing an opportunity for direct communication and effective listening. For other problems not related to academic issues, the Office of the Ombudsman assists the students in making contact with the appropriate office on campus for dealing with their problem.
The Office of the University Ombudsman was established by the state legislature and reports directly to the Provost and through the Provost to the President.