Our Mission Statement
The Office of the University Ombuds is dedicated to providing a knowledgeable, enfranchising, safe space to help students, staff, faculty and external shareholders become better informed, succeed and feel part of an educational community where all may learn.
Our Vision
The Office of the University Ombuds exists to support and cherish everyone in the WMU community as we help them succeed and belong. We contribute to making the University a better place by encouraging and empowering our shareholders while adhering to our core values of confidentiality, informality, impartiality and independence.
Our Core Values
• Community Engaged: We recognize that our service extends to every shareholder of WMU and that each shareholder has a stake in this University’s identity and goals. Regardless of their journey, every member of the WMU family deserves to be fully heard, respected and made to feel that their contribution to our mission and culture is valued.
• Discovery-Driven: Our office will consistently strive to ensure that every shareholder has the freedom and knowledge they require to pursue inquiry, disseminate knowledge and foster critical thinking that encourages lifelong learning.
• Equity Centered: In keeping with our creed “so that all may learn”, the Office of the University Ombuds strives to treat every client with the same high level of consistent concern, care, inclusion and informed, quality customer service. We will seek to ensure that our academic appeals and formal complaint processes provide a pathway forward for all students in a fair and equitable manner.
• Learner-Focused: The Office understands that at its heart our primary goal is to ensure that every student we engage with has the tools, knowledge and support they need and deserve to achieve their dream of graduating and succeeding in life.
Our Confidentiality Pledge
- All communications with the Office of the University Ombuds are confidential and will be protected to the highest level that University standards and the law can provide.
- All communications with the Office of the University Ombuds are made under the belief that they will not be disclosed unless the shareholder decides otherwise or the Ombuds feels that there is apparent threat of serious harm to the shareholder or others.
- The Office of the University Ombuds will keep no formal records, files, intake forms or written notes related to its shareholders other than formal appeals or complaints filed through our office.
- This confidentiality pledge cannot be 'waived'.
- The Office of the University Ombuds will seek to achieve outcomes for all involved parties that are as fair and reasonable as possible.
Our Neutrality Pledge
- The University Ombuds is Western Michigan University's designated neutral. To best preserve its neutrality and independence the Ombuds answers directly to the Office of the President at WMU.
- The Office of the University Ombuds will at all times strive to remain independent and impartial.
- The University Ombuds may not take sides in a dispute, discussion or investigation. The University Ombuds must remain impartial at all times.
- The University Ombuds must have no conflicts of interest within their role at the University.
- The University Ombuds will recognize when a neutral stance may unintentionally support one side over another or reinforce a status quo.
Who does the University Ombuds serve?
The University Ombuds serves all students, staff, faculty and external shareholders of Western Michigan University.
What does the Ombuds do?
- Facilitates the hardship withdrawal, non-attendance withdrawal, course grade and program dismissal appeal processes.
- Facilitates WMU's formal complaint process.
- Serves as a neutral intermediary between parties to resolve conflict, mediate, solve problems, investigate complaints and gather information.
- Serves as an informal supplement to Human Resources, unions and employee groups.
- Serves as a confidential resource for students, staff, faculty and shareholders to discuss possible options before taking action.
- Identifies problem areas facing WMU shareholders and recommends appropriate policies and procedures.
What doesn't the Ombuds do?
- Act as an advocate for you in a dispute. The University Ombuds is neutral and impartial.
- Represent individuals in appeals or formal grievance procedures either on campus or off.
- Provide legal representation.
- Get involved if you have a non-University related problem or complaint.
- Overturn binding decisions, but can investigate procedural fairness.
- Serve as an office of formal record. Speaking with the Ombuds is not "official notice to the University" of problems or policy violations. Often persons will seek advice from the Ombuds privately, before deciding what actions to take in response to a problem. If you want the University to "be on notice," that is formally to know about a particular problem and formally respond, students should file a Formal Student Complaint form here and it will be vetted and referred to the appropriate individual or unit.
- Keep formal written records. The Ombuds can help you determine how to keep your own records.
Why go to the Ombuds?
- You don’t know where to go for help.
- You're struggling to resolve a WMU-related concern.
- You are reluctant to go through normal channels for assistance.
- You want to be seen, listened to and heard.