Cleary University

Ombudsman

The role of the Ombudsman is to provide assistance to students, faculty, and staff in identifying and evaluating their options for resolving and managing conflicts, provide mediation support, and make referrals to other appropriate university and community resources.

The Ombudsman provides a completely confidential, independent and neutral dispute resolution service for all members of the university community.

In the event of an emergency, the Ombudsman is the main contact between the student, the student’s family and the University. When a student emergency exists, the Ombudsman has the responsibility for notifying the student’s instructors, and for contacting family members and other appropriate personnel.

The Ombudsman may advise an individual on how to make an official complaint to the University about a particular problem. They may also identify problem and conflict areas within the University and recommend improvements to the University leadership.

Conflict Management Process

Student Appeal Policy

Ombudsman Resources

What Can the Ombudsman Do for You?

Listen and discuss questions, concerns, and complaints of students about the functioning of the university, including policies and procedures, the actions of others, and unfair treatment.
Help students develop problem solving skills and promote critical thinking so students will be better able to act on their own behalf in resolving conflicts.
Assist students in evaluating and assessing a variety of options to address their concerns.
Answer questions, help students formulate appropriate questions, and find others who can provide the correct answer.
Identify problems and conflict areas within the University and recommend improvements.
Make referrals for mediation, counseling, and dispute resolution services, and assist in creating a helping network for students.
Provide a safe and confidential setting where students feel respected and where they can be candid and forthright.

What the Ombudsman Cannot Do for You

Take part in any formal grievance process, hearing or judicial process.
Make administrative or academic decisions for any other part of the University.
Assign sanctions.
Give legal advice.
Accept official “notice” for the University about issues. If someone wishes to put the University “on notice” that is make the University formally aware of a particular problem, we can provide information on how to do so.

Contact the Ombudsman if you:

Have a problem or conflict involving the University and don’t know where to go to solve it.
Have an emergency that requires notification of instructors or family members.
Feel your concerns are not being heard.
Need information about policies and procedures affecting you at Cleary University.
Believe your rights have been violated or you have not been given due process.
Need help to resolve or mediate a dispute.
Feel you have been treated unfairly or insensitively or that you are being subjected to intimidating, bullying, or emotionally “toxic” behavior.
Think that the University has make an error but has not acknowledged it.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality is a key characteristic of the Ombudsman’s Office. The office does not divulge a client’s name or the nature of the issure being discussed without the client’s consent. With the student’s permission, individuals whose help is necessary to resolve a specific problem may be contacted. The office acts only with your permission – except in an unusual situation of imminent risk of serious harm where there appears to be no responsible option except to act without permission.

Matt Oliver
Ombudsman
Chrysler Building
ombudsman@cleary.edu
(517) 338-3328

Academic Complaint Form

This form is typically used to dispute an overall or individual assignment grade.

Anonymous Complaint Form

Anonymous submissions will be accepted. Those submitting anonymous complaints must understand that anonymity can impede the university’s ability to fully investigate the concern. Those submitting anonymous complaints will not receive specific feedback and status reports.

Financial Aid Appeal Form

This form is typically used for the loss of Financial Aid eligibility due to a death in the family, return to work, medical, call to military duty or credit limit.

Non-Academic Appeal Form

This form is typically used to dispute registration or billing issues resulting from and extenuating circumstance or disciplinary action that results in probation, suspension, or expulsion or withdrawal.

Pandemic Appeal Form

This form is for students who are requesting specific consideration related to Cleary University moving to virtual support and online learning in response to a global pandemic. Specific considerations could include but are not limited to: family illness, employment, housing, food services, and travel.

Student Suggestion Box

This form is designed to collect all suggestions from our students so that the Cleary Community will continue to be improved.