Ombudsperson FAQ

An Ombudsperson will listen to your complaint and concern. The conversation is confidential. The Ombudsperson may ask you to review what steps you have taken, what steps you have taken so far, and what you are seeking in terms of resolution.

The Ombudsperson will help you to problem solve, provide advice, make referrals, and review relevant policies and procedures. It is important to note, however, that you have control in the process and can decide what to do about the situation. 

No, the Ombudsperson Office does not provide legal advice, nor does it act in the capacity of an advocate for students or the University. The Ombudsperson can provide advice on the resolution of conflicts and guidance to help you problem solve.

No, the Ombudsperson Office cannot solve your complaint or problem but can support you to understand your options, process, and policy. The Ombudsperson is not a decision-maker and does not have the authority to overturn decisions or change policies but makes recommendations to the university based on trends. An Ombudsperson supports the advocacy and empowerment of students to remedy their complaints or problem.

The Ombudsperson Office is open to and appreciates the opportunity for feedback on services, please email ombuds@dal.ca to share your comments.

Comments can also be shared with the Ombudsperson Advisory Committee.

Confidentiality means the conversation you have with the Ombudsperson will not be discussed with anyone outside of the office unless you provide your permission for assistance to follow-up or there are circumstances that affect the health and safety of you or others.

Independence means the Ombudsperson Office operates independently of university structures.

Impartiality means students can share their complaints and concerns and expect unbiased feedback, advice, and support.

Confidentiality, independence, and impartiality involve creating a safe space for students to share so they can be encouraged to problem-solve to resolve their complaints and concerns.

If you have been accused of a violation of academic integrity, your first step would be to review and understand the process and procedures for situations of academic integrity. This can be found on the University Secretariat website which outlines student resources and the flow chart for the process.

If you need help understanding the process and policy, feel free to connect to the Ombudsperson Office at ombuds@dal.ca. You can also review the Academic Integrity resource in the Ombudsperson Toolkit which outlines the process and resources.

For support with advocacy and navigating the process, connect with the Dalhousie Student Advocacy Service (DSAS) at dsas@dal.ca.

If you have been accused of non-academic misconduct, your first step would be to review and understand the process and procedures for situations of non-academic misconduct. This can be found in the Code of Student Conduct. You can contact the Student Conduct Manager at sco@dal.ca if you have any questions.

The Student Conduct website is also a great resource to review and outlines questions and answers you may have with the application of the Code of Student Conduct. 

If you need help understanding the process and policy, feel free to connect to the Ombudsperson Office at ombuds@dal.ca. You can also review the Non-Academic Misconduct resource in the Ombudsperson Toolkit which outlines the process and resources.

For support with advocacy and navigating the process, connect with the Dalhousie Student Advocacy Service (DSAS) at dsas@dal.ca.

Accommodation support helps to reduce or remove barriers to your learning to ensure equitable and fair access to your academic experience.

Connect with an advisor at the Student Accessibility Centre in Halifax or Truro.

Your first step will be informal. Speak with your instructor to discuss your concerns and get some understanding and clarification.

If you want to discuss the formal process after speaking to your instructor, you can contact the Ombudsperson Office (ombuds@dal.ca) to review and discuss the formal process for appealing a final grade.

You can also review the How to Appeal a Final Grade resource in the Ombudsperson Toolkit which outlines the process.

The earlier you raise and address your concerns, the greater the likelihood you will be able to resolve them. Speaking to your supervisor (by yourself or with support) would be a great first step. Other individuals you can reach out to for support include the Graduate Coordinator, Department Chair, or Associate Dean.

Dalhousie Student Advocacy Service (DSAS) can support you at any stage throughout your academic experience and attend meetings with you (dsas@dalca).

For more information on problem-solving, you can review the Tips for Graduate Students. Meeting Tips for Students, and Problem Solving for Students resources in the Ombudsperson Toolkit.

If you have questions about fairness, you can contact the Ombudsperson Office (ombuds@dal.ca).

The Advisors at the International Centre (Halifax) and International Student Support (Truro) are excellent resources to help you navigate campus life, working, and finances, immigration, insurance, etc.

If you are an international student in Halifax, you can contact the International Centre to book an appointment.

If you are a student in Truro, you can contact International Student Support to book an appointment.