If you are a student who feels unfairly treated by the University or if you find yourself in a disagreement or dispute with an individual, an office, a department, a unit of a faculty within the University, the Student Ombuds Office may be able to assist you. Usually, you will have attempted to resolve your problem through usual channels before approaching the Student Ombuds Office.  However, you may approach the Office if you have a reason for not pursuing your matter through these channels.

Primarily, the Student Ombuds Office deals with complaints from students who have a grievance related to either administrative or academic decisions. It exists to ensure that all students receive fair and equitable treatment at UTS. The Ombuds investigate requests for assistance in an attempt to resolve issues in order to reach a reasonable solution.  Usually problems are dealt with as informally as possible and the Office makes recommendations for action (where appropriate). It should be stressed that the staff of the Student Ombuds Office do not take your side in a conflict.

The Student Ombuds Office is a:

• confidential,

• informal,

• impartial

• non-adversarial

Office of last resort.

By providing this service for students, the Student Ombud assists the University by making sure that its rules, policies and procedures are followed in a fair and proper manner.  It is therefore not surprising that the Office receives excellent cooperation and assistance from academic and administrative staff at the university.