Role of the Ombuds (Student Advocate)
In this Section
The Ombuds, or Student Advocate, is a CCCC staff member who is specially trained to help students address their concerns. This person wants to assist students, especially those who are unsure of where else to turn.
The Ombuds welcomes inquiries and conversation from all students. The role supplements, but does not replace, formal college channels for solving problems. Retaliation for visiting the Ombuds is prohibited.
What the Ombuds Does
- Offers a safe space where students may discuss problems or issues within CCCC
- Provides a welcoming environment to listen to concerns
- Provides information on college policies and procedures
- Provides information on how to make the college aware of a particular problem
- Assists students in evaluating available options
- Refers students to the proper authority to resolve the situation
- Facilitates constructive dialogue
- Provides upward feedback to the administration (or others in authority) when a systemic issue or trend occurs
Students Commonly Consult with the Ombuds for
- Academic concerns not otherwise addressed by existing campus policies
- Understanding and navigating college policies
- Interpersonal difficulties
- Communication problems
- Health and safety issues
- Departmental conflict
- Misunderstandings
- Ethical behavior
- How to frame and discuss issues
- How to untangle a complicated situation
- How to access other campus resources
- General concerns about CCCC
What the Ombuds does not do
- Resolve disputes for students, but does provide information and communication to support students resolving their own conflicts.
- Make decisions for anyone
- Offer legal advice or keep official records
- Participate in formal grievances (or other formal processes)
- Offer psychological counseling or address issues involving persons outside the institution
- Establish, change, or set aside college rules, policies, or management decisions
- Testify in any judicial or administrative proceeding, unless required by law after reasonable attempts at protecting confidentiality have been made