Have you ever had a conflict with a professor that you didn’t know how to resolve, such as an excused absence that wasn’t recognized? Wanted to withdraw from a class late due to a personal circumstance but did not know how to go about doing so? Needed additional financial assistance to pay your tuition due to a personal emergency but were confused about where to get it? Many students face these problems but do not know where to go to for help.

This year, students in the University Senate have been working hard to develop an outlet for these issues and complaints through the creation of an ombudsman for undergraduate students. It is an effort I enthusiastically support. An ombudsman in a university context has been defined as one who “hears complaints and grievances about programs and policies, allows people to freely discuss issues or problems, provides options concerning ways to solve such problems, refers people to the proper campus resources, and, if necessary, takes action to help facilitate a fair resolution.” Think of this person as an impartial mediator who listens to students and directs them on how to best resolve problems they might have.

This is necessary for several compelling reasons. First, despite the fact that resources exist to assist students, most lack the knowledge of where to go or how to obtain such services. At such a large university, it is often difficult for students to cut through the bureaucracy and find those most able to assist them. An ombudsman would be a central person students could contact who would be able to send them to the place that could most appropriately handle the issue.

A second benefit is that an ombudsman is completely impartial, and all conversations with him or her are kept strictly confidential. Not beholden to any academic college or administrative department, an ombudsman would remain unbiased in a way that is difficult for deans and other administrators. Students would be assured that an ombudsman would give them direct and honest feedback on how to best address their problems.

An undergraduate ombudsman at the university is necessary in keeping with ideas of fairness. Faculty, staff and graduate students all have ombuds officers who have served their communities well. Why, then, shouldn’t undergraduate students have one as well? Some of our peer institutions, such as the University of California at Berkeley, the University of Michigan and UCLA, have ombudsmen that have been a great resource for undergraduate students.

Just recently, a team of objective faculty from other universities in the area, called the Middle States Review Committee, came to the university to review us for reaccreditation. Upon evaluation of our university, one of its strongest recommendations was that we needed a venue for students to voice their complaints. An ombudsman would be able to serve just that purpose. Additionally, as part of his or her responsibilities, an ombudsman not only helps solve problems but also keeps a record of student complaints, which is then presented to the senate. This would help student and administrative leaders focus on recurring issues among students.

Although many argue that there are already plenty of resources available to students (which there are, of course), an ombudsman fulfills a different role. He or she is a mediator, an adviser and a director for students needing assistance. An ombudsman is a unique resource, a problem solver, but a place of first resort to cut through university bureaucracy and given an objective forum to voice complaints.

The senate and its executive committee have made progress on this issue and are working with the administration to create an ombudsman. I applaud their efforts in addressing this student need. I truly hope this remains a priority for all involved as the semester comes to close.

Andrew Friedson is director of governmental affairs for the SGA. He can be reached at friedson.andrew@gmail.com.