About Us

Mission

The Student Ombuds Office is committed to fulfilling Florida State University’s mission by cultivating a campus climate grounded in respect, honesty, and integrity. As an independent, informal, impartial, and confidential resource, the Student Ombuds Office serves students by offering a safe place to seek counsel, obtain resources, and ask questions about FSU policy. The Student Ombuds Office welcomes all visitors and is committed to student success at FSU.

What is an Ombuds?

An ombuds professional is an impartial and independent representative who helps FSU students resolve university policy or process related matters by offering an informal and confidential exploration of options.

The Florida Board of Governors has a regulation defining the role of the student ombuds:

  • 6.011 Student Ombudsman
    • Each university shall establish and maintain a student ombudsman function.
    • The ombudsman shall not advocate for any individual, but shall advocate for fair and equitably administered processes and shall facilitate discussion to identify best options to resolve problems. A student’s use of the ombudsman is voluntary and shall not be a required step in any grievance process.
    • Each university’s ombudsman and operation shall be guided by recognized professional standards of practice for the role of the ombudsman, including the principles of independence, neutrality, confidentiality, and informality, unless otherwise required by law.
    • Additional roles or responsibilities within the university assigned to the ombudsman shall not compromise the ombudsman’s neutrality in responding to an inquiry, concern, or conflict.
    • Information on the ombudsman and its role shall be made readily available to all students, faculty, and staff and appear, at a minimum, in the student handbook as provided in BOG Regulation 6.010.

Student Ombuds Office Cornerstone Principles

Confidential: Communication, along with accompanying documents, shared with the Student Ombuds Office will remain confidential unless (1) the student consents to disclosure, (2) disclosure is required by law or policy, or (3) a health or safety emergency warrants disclosure.

Impartial: The Student Ombuds Office does not take sides. Rather, it considers the rights and interests of all parties involved in searching for a fair resolution to a situation.

Independent: The Student Ombuds Office is independent in structure and function. The Student Ombuds is (1) not part of management, (2) does not make management decisions, and (3) cannot make anyone take a particular course of action.

Informal: The Student Ombuds Office is an informal resource that considers the interests of all members of the campus community. The Student Ombuds Office is not part of any FSU appeal, complaint, or grievance process. The Student Ombuds Office does not accept formal complaints or legal notices on behalf of FSU. Additionally, the Student Ombuds Office is not authorized to institute corrective measures on behalf of FSU.

Advocacy

The Student Ombuds Office is committed to supporting student success at FSU; however, the Student Ombuds Office cannot act as a student’s advocate. The Student Ombuds Office may assist you with identifying options and offer advice but may never guarantee an issue will be resolved in your favor. Also, the Student Ombuds Office may explain and answer questions about FSU policy. Lastly, the Student Ombuds Office does not have decision-making authority and therefore cannot overrule the decision of FSU faculty, staff, or leadership.

Confidentiality

Communication with the Student Ombuds Office will remain confidential. However, confidentiality will not be maintained in the following situations:

  • The student consents to disclosure.
  • Title IX-related matters (the Student Ombuds is a “Mandatory Reporter” and is legally obligated to disclose alleged violations of Title IX).
  • The Student Ombuds Office becomes aware of a Clery Associated crime (the Student Ombuds Office is a "Campus Security Authority" per the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act).
  • Instances of child abuse or neglect.
  • A health or safety emergency exists.

Email Privacy

  • Email is not a confidential method of communication. Consequently, students should consider whether they are comfortable with the Student Ombuds Office utilizing email. If a student is not comfortable with email, the student should inform the Student Ombuds Office immediately. Otherwise, permission to communicate via email will be assumed.