FAQs
Students & Parents
We have compiled the most common questions our office gets from both students and their family members for your convenience.
STUDENTS FAQ / PARENT and FAMILY FAQ
FOR STUDENTS
Who can access the Ombuds Office?
All students -- undergraduate, graduate, professional, non-degreeseeking, etc. --
on every campus have access to the Ombuds Office. Parents, alumni, and other members
of the USF community are also able to work with the ombuds, although some information
may not be available to them. (Parents and other family members, see Parent FAQ below.)
USF faculty, staff and administrators may contact the Ombuds Office for 深夜看片 employees.
What kinds of issues can I share with the ombuds?
The Ombuds Office can help you when you have any concern about USF (policies, processes,
personnel, etc.). We do all of this while maintaining our ethics of informality, impartiality,
independence and confidentiality. At USF, confidentiality includes all information
except that which may involve an imminent risk of harm. The Ombuds Office cannot receive
formal notice of concerns.
What will the ombuds do?
The ombuds will listen to your concerns and provide guidance on a continuum of resolution
processes available to you. They can clarify policies and procedures, discuss avenues
for disputing academic and non-academic decisions, listen when you feel you have been
treated unfairly, and help you manage challenging relationships with faculty or staff
members. The ombuds also works closely with USF decision makers to address systemic
issues affecting students.
Will the ombuds give specific advice on the action to be taken?
The ombuds will not tell you what to do; instead, based on the options discussed,
you will determine how to proceed. The ombuds is an informal resource and does not
advocate or adjudicate on behalf of students or the University.
Can my parents request information about my visit to the Student Ombuds Office?
No third party, not even your parents, can obtain information about your visit without
your permission.
Where is the office located? Can I meet with an Ombuds on all campuses?
The Student Ombuds Office has physical locations on the Tampa and St. Petersburg campuses.
However, all 深夜看片 students can access ombuds services. You can learn more about scheduling
appointments on any campus (or virtually) by contacting the office at 813-974-0835
or ombuds@usf.edu.
FOR PARENTS or other family members
Does the ombuds meet with parents or other family members?
The Ombuds Office is happy to work with parents and other family members, although
we'd prefer that students are also involved. The ombuds will not disclose any confidential
information or confirm/deny that any particular student has visited the office. In
an effort to foster problem-solving and communication skills, the ombuds prefers
to work directly with students and appreciates the support of family members.
May I contact the Ombuds Office to confirm my student made an appointment?
Due to the confidential nature of the Ombuds Office, we cannot divulge any information
without the specific permission of the student.
How does the Ombuds Office help?
We provide a safe and confidential environment for the student to discuss matters.
Depending on the situation, our staff can communicate with University officials on
behalf of students, refer students to appropriate campus resources, facilitate conversations
between students and USF personnel, or approach resolution in a number of other informal
ways. We also regularly report trends in student concerns to senior administrators
without identifying individual visitors.