University Ombudsman Office
Office Description
The Office of the University Ombudsman is an impartial and confidential resource which assists individuals in resolving problems that arise within the University. The Ombudsman Office is an independent, neutral office reporting directly to the Chancellor. The office acts on complaints or suggestions from students, faculty, and staff in an attempt to ensure that members of the University community receive fair and equitable treatment within the University system. The Ombudsman Office also brings to the attention of those in authority any inadequacies in existing University procedures that might jeopardize the human rights and civil liberties of members of the University community.
The Ombudsman Office helps individuals resolve a broad range of problems, including academic matters, employment concerns, and issues regarding University services. Such assistance may include: advising individuals on steps to take so that their claims may be heard or their questions answered; making referrals to other offices; informally investigating claims of unfair treatment or erroneous procedures; engaging in mediation or other third party intervention; and assisting with accessing and understanding University grievance mechanisms when informal methods are unsuccessful or unsuitable.
As an informal conflict resolution resource, the Ombudsman Office supplements, but does not replace, any formal University channels. The Ombudsman Office maintains no institutional records, and the names of persons requesting help cannot be used in the investigation of a case without permission. Contact with the Ombudsman Office does not constitute notice to the University. The office, however, can assist complainants in providing such notice to the proper administrators. The Ombudsman Office has the authority to access official files as required to fulfill its functions. The Ombudsman staff are not attorneys and do not give legal advice or participate in any legal or formal administrative process. The University Ombudsman Office adheres to the profession’s code of ethics and standards of practice. All Ombudsman records, contacts and communications are confidential, to the extent permitted by aplicable law.
The University Ombudsman Office is located in Woody Hall C302; hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and the telephone number is (618) 453-2411.
University Ombudsman Office
Woody Hall C302 - Mail Code 4708
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
900 South Normal Avenue
Carbondale, Illinois 62901
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Monday through Friday
Telephone: 618 | 453.2411
(voice mail after hours)
Fax: 618 | 453.2260
Email: ombuds@siu.edu
(Please remember that email is not appropriate for confidential communication.)