Ombuds officer
The University Ombuds Officer deals with complaints from students who believe they have not been treated fairly by a university staff member or administrative body. Students can submit a complaint up to 12 months after the incident occurred, even if they have since completed their studies.
The Ombuds Officer has a fully independent position within the university and a duty of confidentiality, which ensures all complaints are dealt with in strict confidence. The Ombuds Officer is not a formal part of SEA, in accordance with the independent nature of the post. As such, they are able to deal with a complaint in an impartial way and issue advice on how to avoid similar problems in the future.
The Ombuds Officer also plays an important role in drawing attention to frequently occurring issues within the university and making suggestions for improvement.