Resolution on the Creation of a Student Ombudsperson at San Francisco State University

RATIONALE: Currently, SF State does not employ an ombuds for students. An ombuds is an impartial and neutral person who works to resolve conflicts through collegial dialog effectively between peers without the involvement of administrative and/or legal protocols. Inspired by the Ombuds protocols already established at San Diego State, Humboldt State, CSU Bakersfield, and CSU Long Beach, Cal State East Bay, CSU San Bernardino, CSU Chico, Cal Maritime, Cal Poly Pomona, CSU San Marcos, CSU Bakersfield, CSU Northridge, San Jose State, CSU Channel Islands, among others, this resolution calls for the development of an ombuds position and office to serve students at SF State.

a student ombuds is a person appointed to facilitate collegial dialogue between students and faculty and administrator, who does not impose solutions, but acts as an impartial mediator in problem-solving and conflict resolution; and

there are often conflicts at the university between students and faculty, staff and administrators related to such concerns as academic freedom, disciplinary matters, discrimination, faculty governance and intellectual property, to name a few; and

a student ombuds position can result in a place for students to discuss their concerns and grievances with someone who can respect their privacy, provide a safe place to raise and discuss sensitive issues, maintain confidentiality within the limits of the law, provide a neutral venue for resolving conflict, facilitate collegial communication between aggrieved parties, seek information on issues and review facts, mediate discussion aimed at resolving conflict, and negotiate solutions to problems between students and staff, faculty and university administrators; and

conflict is often more satisfactorily resolved if informal means are first sought before proceeding to more formal means, such as grievances and lawsuits; and

students are often hampered in their ability to informally resolve conflict with faculty, staff and administrators who often hold formal and positional authority over students; and

a student ombuds is not currently a position at SF State, and thus, students are left with limited options for obtaining help in resolving conflicts informally; and

a need for this at SF State has already been demonstrated by the successful and well-used SF State Dean on Call program, which provides support and case management to students experiencing difficulties navigating the university, but is unable to focus on ombuds services exclusively due to other responsibilities; and

ombuds offices and positions are guided by the core values of independence, impartiality/neutrality, confidentiality and informality; and

a student ombuds position does not represent the university, participate in any formal processes, such as grievances, appeals or litigation, testify as a witness in any formal or legal action, influence or interfere with the HRTP process, maintain permanent records of individual matters, advocate for any party nor advocate for the university; and

the establishment of a student ombuds office could better serve San Francisco State’s large and diverse population, through advocacy and referral to a variety of resources on or off campus; and