For Students
University Ombuds Services
The ombuds office provides a nonjudgmental space to listen to concerns, help clarify goals and interests and develop options to move forward. Challenges that seem insurmountable can become more manageable with an objective, impartial approach.
The ombuds can be a sounding board for common challenges, including academic or administrative concerns and interpersonal misunderstandings or conflicts. An ombuds is impartial, so unlike most resources they can offer an objective perspective while adhering to the strictest levels of confidentiality. It is not the offices practice to intervene or advocate in matters. Rather, we empower visitors to resolve issues themselves.
The ombuds can also discuss interpersonal challenges and helpful approaches. An ombuds may also make referrals to different offices on campus or help clarify OSU procedures and policies. At heart, a meeting with an ombuds is a conversation intended to chart a path forward. Discussions can help visitors identify options for fair and equitable outcomes.
Common Concerns
Roommate Disputes
Student Club Disputes
Academic Dishonesty
Harassment
Advisor/Advisee Tensions
Some questions that may help you focus your thoughts:
- What is the situation you want to address or improve?
- Who else is impacted by this situation You aren’t required to prepare anything before you meet with an ombuds, but it may be helpful to gather your thoughts?
- Bring in any documentation that you would like to share. The ombuds will not keep this material.
- What outcomes are you hoping for?
- Is there anything you have already done to address this situation?
- What internal or external barriers are preventing you from moving forward?
Mediation is a voluntary and informal process where two or more individuals come together to work out their differences with the help of an impartial mediator. Participants develop their own solutions that fit the circumstances. We meet with each person individually beforehand to understand the situation. If appropriate, multiple parties can be involved in the conversation.
When the University Ombuds Office facilitates a conversation, the ombuds manages the process of the meeting, allowing the group to focus on the core issues. The ombuds empowers participants and enables leaders to participate fully in the matter at hand and work toward solutions or decisions. The ombuds is available at any stage of a discussion to help a student group or project team to manage the conversation.
The University Ombuds Office provides a range of workshops to help departments improve communication and effectively address conflict. The ombuds also develops customized training's for student groups depending on the request.
Resources
Oregon State University has an array of resources to help you navigate issues. If you aren’t sure which resource to go to, you can make an appointment with our office to discuss your options.
The OSU Office of Human Resources is the university’s central office for human resource services, including employee support and services; leave and benefits; employment policies and programs; accident and incident reporting and more.
Contact Information
541-737-3103
EOA is responsible for overseeing compliance with civil rights and affirmative action laws, regulations, and policies. If your concern is in one of these areas, EOA may be the appropriate office.
If you would like to file a complaint related to Concern of Discrimination, Discriminatory Harassment, or Retaliation see below link. Complaints of this nature are not confidential once filed with EOA. If you would like to discuss what the process looks like before filing a complaint, you may wish to contact the ombuds office, which is able to maintain confidentiality on these issues.
https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?OregonStateUniv&layout_id=4
If you would like to open a complaint related to Sexual Misconduct, you can follow the below link. Complaints of this nature are not confidential. If you would like to discuss what the process looks like before filing a complaint, you may wish to contact the ombuds office.
https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?OregonStateUniv&layout_id=2
Office of Institutional Diversity
The Office of Institutional Diversity (OID) plans, leads and collaboratively implements institutional change actions to advance Oregon State University's inclusive excellence mission. OID coordinates the university's Bias Response Team (BRT) which is responsible for applying the Reported Bias Incident Response Protocol.
You can learn about the process here. As a reporter, you may have question about what happens when you submit a report; you can watch this video to learn about the steps taken after a report is submitted.
You can submit a bias incident report here. If you have questions about the reporting process or would like to consult prior to submitting a report, you can request a consultation here.
While the bias response process is private, it is not confidential.
The Department of Public Safety provides emergency and public safety services at OSU’s campuses in Corvallis and Bend, and supports public safety at OSU facilities throughout Oregon. Services on the Corvallis campus include licensed law enforcement by trained sworn officers. Public safety services on the Corvallis and OSU-Cascades campuses include security checks of buildings and responding to fire and medical emergencies. The department also provides Clery Act reporting and emergency management for the university and dispatch services for the Corvallis campus.
In case of an emergency: call 911
Corvallis campus 24/7 business line: 541-737-3010
OSU-Cascades 24/7 business line: 541-322-3110
Disability Access Services (DAS) provides accommodations, education, consultation and advocacy for qualified students with disabilities at Oregon State University. DAS works with students at OSU, OSU-Cascades, across Oregon and around the world through the OSU E-campus program.
Zoom Room Drop In: https://ds.oregonstate.edu/das-drop-zoom-room
Phone Number:
541-737-4098
The ASOSU Office of Advocacy serves any student who wants support with issues related to the university. Their advocates listen, provide relevant information, help identify options and support you on your chosen path. Common issues including student conduct processes, grade appeals and registrar petitions, graduate issues and international student issues. They are a confidential resource open to all students. If you are dealing with a challenge and you do not know where to go, they can help you figure out what next steps are available.
The Center for Advocacy, Prevention & Education
Survivor Advocacy Services at CAPE are confidential & legally privileged support services for survivors of interpersonal & gender based violence, and their allies. Confidential Advocates provide information about rights and choices along with resources and referrals to other services. Survivors can meet with CAPE advocates to personally discuss their options and what resources are available to them.
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 541-737-2030
Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS)
Their staff are committed professionals with particular expertise in the concerns of college and grad students. They include Psychologists, Clinical Social Workers, Professional Counselors, Pre-doctoral Residents completing the final stages of their doctoral training in Clinical or Counseling Psychology, Psychiatric Residents, and Master's students in Counselor Education.
Email Contact Form | Counseling & Psychological Services | Oregon State University
541-737-2131
The Graduate School plays a leadership and advocacy role to ensure that OSU attracts the best graduate students and delivers a compelling and high-quality graduate experience that prepares them to create new ideas and knowledge, to educate others, to make positive impacts on society, and to lead innovation.