The Douglas Students’ Union Ombudsperson provides a safe, confidential and informal environment for students to discuss conflicts, complaints or disputes. The Ombudsperson can provide support and assistance with interpretation of Douglas policies and procedures.

The Ombudsperson can help you develop strategies and options for resolving your issues, as well as provide information to you regarding policies and procedures as well as addressing fairness issues at Douglas College

The Ombudsperson is available to attend meetings with the student to help facilitate communication and problem solving process and is also available to attend formal appeals with students.

Contact

To make an appointment, please contact the Ombudsperson, please fill out the online form at the bottom of the page or via email. Please include a summary of the issue you would like to discuss.

Contact ombuds@thedsu.ca

Virtual Ombudsperson Drop In Sessions – 

To maintain proper safety protocols and measures, our ombudsperson will be hosting virtual ombudsperson drop in sessions throughout the semester. Drop in if you have any questions or concerns about your classes, grades or other Douglas College policies/procedures.

Stay tuned for fall semester dates – coming soon!

Services Provided

The Ombudsperson will provide the following informal assistance to members:

  • Listen to student concerns and assess the situation presented;
  • Answer questions or help find others who can;
  • Provide information on college policies and procedures, as well as related student rights and responsibilities;
  • Assist students in gathering information about their case;
  • Discuss possible courses of action, including steps to resolve problems informally;
  • Assist students in filing appeals;
  • Assist students in preparing for conversations with supervisors, instructors or administrators, or for formal hearings;
  • Participate in meetings between students and College officials as a witness; and,
  • Refer students to service departments, or external agencies, for assistance and/or advice.

The Student Advocate will not:

  • Offer counselling; or
  • Act as a legal or other representative for students.

DSU Ombudsperson Policy

Operating Principles

The following operating principles shall be applied by the Ombudsperson service:

  • Confidentiality – the Students’ Union will maintain the confidentiality of information provided to the Ombudsperson unless directed otherwise by the student providing the information. This confidentiality enables students to discuss matters with the Ombudsperson and receive advice without taking action. Confidentiality will be deemed void if a student makes comments about doing harm to themselves or others, or if a student speaks to the Ombudsperson about a criminal act. The Ombudsperson is neither a lawyer nor medical professional, and there is no legal privilege attached to communications between students and the Ombudsperson.
  • Independence – The Students’ Union operates independently from Douglas College and is responsible to students who are Students’ Union members. The Ombudsperson will act independently of Douglas College, and in executing their work, remain independent of any work undertaken by the Students’ Union in providing general advocacy and representation of the student body to Douglas College.
  • Avoiding Conflicts of Interest – The Ombudsperson will seek to avoid conflicts of interest between their work in the role of Ombudsperson and other duties they perform for the Students’ Union, and with respect to their working relationships with members of the campus community. The Ombudsperson shall not represent a member in their dealings with the Students’ Union.
  • Operations – The Ombudsperson’s work shall be delegated to a staff person of the Students’ Union and be part of that staff person’s job description.
  • No Duty to Assist – The Ombudsperson shall review each request for assistance and shall, at their sole discretion, determine wither the Ombudsperson service shall be provided to the requesting student based on the merits of the case and the structures under which Douglas College processes student complains and appeals. The Students’ Union does not have a legal duty to represent a member regardless of their circumstances.
  • Zero Tolerance for Abusive Behavior – The Students’ Union has zero tolerance for abusive, harassing or bullying behavior and any student acting in such a manner with the Ombudsperson shall be immediately released from the service.
Where do I find information on Douglas College policies and procedures?

You can find Douglas College policies and procedures here.

I am involved in a student conduct investigation. What does that mean?

You can find more information on student conduct process here.

Is there anyone else I can talk to for support?

Douglas has a number of student services that may provide additional advice or support.

Get in touch with the DSU ombudsperson here!