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General University Information
The Ombudsperson acts as an independent representative of
the University to listen to student grievances and complaints.
The Ombudsperson listens to the concern, investigates the
facts and attempts to resolve situations in the best possible
way. The Ombudsperson neither makes University policy nor
overrides it. However, because of extensive knowledge of the
University, the Ombudsperson is in a position to interpret
University policy to students and make recommendations to
the central administration when policy changes are needed.
The Ombudsperson expedites the decision-making process within
the University and ensures that the University follows its
own published policies and procedures.
The Ombudsperson Program was not established to bypass or
circumvent those individuals who have responsibility for departments
or classroom instruction. Nor is the Ombudsperson Program
designed to eliminate certain structured grievance and appellate
mechanisms already established by the University. Each academic
department and each administrative unit has established a
contact person, known as a University Troubleshooter, to assist
students with academic and administrative related matters.
These University Troubleshooters are faculty members and administrators
who serve as a resource for students seeking assistance.
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Academic Troubleshooters
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Administrative Troubleshooters
When regular channels have not brought resolution to your
problem and after you have spoken to the appropriate University
Troubleshooter, you should contact the appropriate Ombudsperson.
The Ombudsperson seeks to resolve matters informally before
they become matters in a formal grievance-appeal proceeding
and assists students in reestablishing communication with
the person or persons with whom a complaint may have been
filed.
The University Ombudsperson is Dr. Gail Cole-Avent. Academic
cases are addressed by the Academic Ombudsperson, V. Chunoo.
To access the University of Miami Ombudsperson and University
Troubleshooters program, contact the Office of the Vice President
for Student Affairs, Ashe Administration Building Room 244,
or 305-284-4922. For more information, visit www.miami.edu/ombudsperson.
Concerns may be submitted through an online form located on
that website.
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