Student Concerns

All students -- undergraduate, graduate, professional, non-degree seeking, etc. -- have access to the Ombuds Office. Parents, alumni, and other members of the FGCU community are also able to schedule appointments with the ombuds, although some information may not be available to them. Parents will need to have an Authorization of Release on file with the University to obtain specific information.

We can help you when you have any concern about FGCU (policies, processes, personnel, etc.). We do all of this while maintaining our ethics (informality, impartiality, independence and confidentiality). The Ombuds Office is a confidential resource for students, staff and faculty. The Ombuds Office shall maintain what the visitor discusses with the office in confidence except if: (1) the visitor requests disclosure and the Ombuds determines it to be an appropriate option; or (2) the Ombuds asks for and receives permission for disclosure;  (3) the Ombuds determines that there is an imminent risk to health, safety, or serious harm to people or property.

The Ombuds Office cannot receive formal notice of concerns, but we can provide you with the information on where to file a formal complaint.

• Listen to your concerns and provide guidance
• Provide conflict resolution coaching
• Coordinate with other individuals or university departments to explain a policy or procedure or to resolve an issue
• Facilitate communication with other parties
• Work directly with a department or campus resource to help resolve issues or a concern
• Help obtain additional information and resources
• Provide mediation or facilitation services
• Make referrals to campus resources such as Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), Adaptive Services, Academic Advising or the Center for Academic Achievement
• Suggest negotiation strategies to resolve conflict and prevent disputes

You decide how you want your concern handled.  The Ombuds may suggest options, but it is up to you to decide how to proceed.  You may give the Ombuds permission to share information or to discuss a concern with another individual or department on campus to try and resolve your concern.

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The Ombuds Office will work with you to resolve your issues. You may always contact the Ombuds Office to discuss your concern, and the ombuds can help you identify channels for resolution, from the informal to the formal. Informal solutions are often feasible and usually render quicker and more satisfactory outcomes; however, there is also a various formal complaint options available to students. In some circumstances a conversation, conflict coaching, a facilitated discussion or a mediation might be appropriate.

Formal Complaint Options:
Academic and Non-Academic Formal Student Complaints:
Find additional resources to address your concerns or complaints by referring to the Student Complaints, click here.

Ethics & Compliance:
To formally and confidentially report ethical and/or policy violations, click here.

Discrimination, Harassment, and Title IX:
To report discrimination, Harassment, and Title IX violations, click here.

Student Conduct Violation:
To report a code of conduct concern, click here. 

The benefits of these informal processes are that:

• provide a safe and confidential environment
• the processes are flexible allowing an individual raising the concern or complaint has greater control over the timing or pace of resolving the concern;
• individuals involved in the dispute or conflict have greater control over the outcome;
• creative solutions can be developed and implemented;
• relationships can be improved; and
• parties can be empowered in the process as they resolve the concern or complaint.
• We also regularly report trends in student concerns to senior administrators without identifying individual visitors. 

• We intend to abide by the International Ombudsman Association's Standards of Practice. The principles of confidentiality, impartiality, independence, and informality are essential to the function of the Office.
• Your visit to the Ombuds Office is completely voluntary. When you visit the Office, you agree to respect and abide by the principles by which it operates and to not call the Ombuds to testify in formal or legal proceedings.
• Your confidentiality is important. Any personal working notes taken during the visit will be destroyed. We encourage communicating in person or via phone. Please be mindful of written communication such as email and/or voicemail as those could become public record.