Purpose of the Ombudsman

An Ombudsman provides a safe and comfortable environment for students to discuss complaints, concerns or problems privately. When appropriate, the office will initiate an informal intervention with the goal of facilitating a resolution that is acceptable to all parties involved. The ombudsman acts as an independent, impartial resource. If a matter cannot be resolved through this office, a referral will be made. When appropriate, the office can make recommendations regarding policy review and change.

Role of the Ombudsman

The Office of the Ombudsman offers an alternative opportunity to resolve complaints, concerns or problems in a timely and private manner. Users of the office are provided a place to explore options to make informed decisions. The Office of the Ombudsman does not replace or substitute for formal grievance, investigative or appeal processes made available by the College. Also, the office does not have any authority to make decisions or enact policy. Use of the Ombudsman Office is not a substitute for formal procedures, such as filing a final grade grievance. Any communication with the Ombudsman Office is off-the-record and does not put the College on notice of a problem. If students wish to place the College on notice, the ombudsman can provide information about how to do so. Ombudsmen follow no prescribed sequences of steps, and do not participate in any formal grievance process. The ombudsman does not advocate for either party and cannot assist a student who is represented by legal counsel.

An ombudsman does not make, change, or set aside policy or previous administrative decisions, nor does an ombudsman serve to determine the rights of others or to unilaterally resolve conflicts. Rather, knowledge of the facts of a situation, plus reason, persuasion, and familiarity with the system are adequate to resolve those problems in which a mistake was made, where a practice was applied unfairly, or where poor judgment was exercised in reaching a decision.

The Ombudsman WILL:

  • Listen and discuss questions, issues, and concerns
  • Be an advocate for fairness
  • Help develop and evaluate various options to address concerns
  • Answer questions or help find others who can develop and evaluate various options to address concerns
  • Explain College policies and procedures
  • Facilitate communication between people
  • Advise individuals about steps to resolve problems informally
  • Advise individuals about formal and administrative options
  • Mediate disputes to seek "win-win" resolution of problems
  • Make appropriate referrals when informal options don't work
  • Point out patterns of problems/complaints to administrators

The Ombudsman WILL NOT:

  • Replace or circumvent existing channels
  • Direct any College office to change a decision
  • Make decisions for the student
  • Have a stake in outcomes
  • Set aside rules and regulations
  • Participate in formal grievance processes
  • Make decisions for College faculty/administrators
  • Determine "guilt" or "innocence" of those accused of wrong-doing
  • Assign sanctions to students
  • Receive official "notice" for the College about issues
  • Give legal advice

Campus Ombudsman

Downtown Campus

NameDepartmentPositionPhone
Nicholas BekasEnglish DTCProfessor, English

East Campus

NameDepartmentPositionPhone
Keith MalmosBiological Science EACProfessor, Biology(407) 582-2805
Kurt OverhiserMath EACProfessor, Mathematics(407) 582-2481

 

Lake Nona Campus

NameDepartmentPositionPhone
Jackie StarrenHumanities LNCProfessor, Humanities(407) 582-7001
LaVonda Walker-McKnightNew Student Experience LNCFaculty, New Student Exp(407) 582-7417

 

Osceola Campus

NameDepartmentPositionPhone
Tanisha CastorNew Student Experience OSCFaculty, New Student Exp(407) 582-4857
Oscar CuanSpeech OSCProfessor, Speech(407) 582-4286
Denise RossMath Office OSCProfessor, Comp Prgrm/Analy(407) 582-4818
Ramon Velez-CruzNew Student Experience OSCFaculty, New Student Exp(407) 582-4258

 

Poinciana Campus

NameDepartmentPositionPhone
Sam MuruganExec Dean's Office PNCProfessor, Mathematics(407) 582-6137

 

West Campus

NameDepartmentPositionPhone
Joan AlexanderComputer Program WECProfessor, Comp Prgrm/Analy(407) 582-1542
Beverly BondRadiography WECProfessor, Radiography(407) 582-1834
Lynn HowardMath WECProfessor, Mathematics(407) 582-5629
Graeme LindbeckBiological Science WECProfessor, Biology(407) 582-1256

 

Winter Park Campus

NameDepartmentPositionPhone
Chris BorglumEnglish WPKProfessor, English(407) 582-6869