Office of the Ombuds

The Ombuds Office at Sinclair provides a safe, confidential, neutral environment to discuss student concerns and challenges, conflict resolution, and any other issues that may be troublesome. The Ombuds:

• Assists students, staff, and faculty members in resolving student problems/issues.
• Assists students, staff, and faculty members in finding resources to address students’ non-academic personal challenges.
• Provides supportive intervention services to students involved in conflictual classroom situations.
• Provides services to students to encourage them to learn how to problem solve and operate effectively with the college environment.
• Provides personal/life skills coaching to students.
• Addresses legitimate concerns regarding customer service issues, communication disconnects, or the inability to resolve a concern.

The mission of the Office of the Ombuds at Sinclair is to provide support, mediation, and advocacy for fair processes throughout the institution. The office works to analyze information gathered from student experiences in order to implement procedural changes into Sinclair’s culture.

 

The Ombuds can assist with:

• Interpersonal difficulties
• Perceived discrimination
• Communication disconnects
• Academic and non-academic disputes
• Giving and receiving apologies
• Planning conversations and talking points
• Accessing campus resources
• Addressing misunderstanding
• Navigating conflict and complex situations
• Discussing options for the resolution of concerns and challenges

The Ombuds Does not…

• Serve as an official advocate
• Offer legal advice
• Offer psychological counseling
• Address issues involving parties outside of the institution

 

Sinclair’s Ombuds operates under the International Ombuds Association (IOA) standards of neutrality, confidentiality, and impartiality. Please understand she is glad to assist you in a civil conversation that aligns with these standards.