Role of the Ombudsperson at CCSU

Roles  of  the  Ombudsperson

• Listen to concerns
• Provide a confidential place to talk
• Informally investigate student/faculty/employees complaints
• Gather information
• Explain campus policies and procedures, rules and processes
• Reframe issues
• Analyze, identify and evaluate options
• Make referrals
• Act as an impartial resource using informal mediation and/or other problem solving techniques
• Facilitate communication between and among individuals
• Suggest ways to effectively deal with a problem
• Explain the informal resolution process
• Present options to the Administration to alleviate chronic problem areas in the university

The  Ombuds  Office  Does  Not:

• Advocate for any party to the dispute
• Change grades or other university policies
• Give legal advice
• Be a part of any formal processes such as litigation, disciplinary actions, grievance hearings, or arbitration hearings
• Replace or circumvent existing formal channels
• Assign sanctions to individuals
• Receive official "notice" for the university about any issues
• Address disputes between members of the campus community and private individuals, companies, or organizations not affiliated with CCSU
• Handle formal grievances, whistleblower, discrimination, or sexual harassment complaints.
• Offer psychological counseling