The role of the Ombudsperson

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The role of the Ombudsperson

• Gema Rodríguez Valls
• Ombudsperson Master of Laws (LL.M.)

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Introduction

• What is an Ombudsperson? (Ombuds person)
• Ombudsman Swedish word for an official
  appointed to receive and report grievances
  against the government (Websters
  comprehensive dictionary)
• Ombuds Commissioner, agent, intermediary,
• Person man or woman (political correctness )
• Goal
• Help people to resolve conflicts satisfactorily
  

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Introduction

• Basic principles
• Confidentiality
• Independence
• Neutrality
• Informality
• Role(s) in K.U.Leuven?
• To assure the fairness of the examination
• To help avoid potential problems between students
  and examiners
• To mediate and help solve existing problems
• To be a contact person

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Before the exams

• Who is my ombuds?
• http//cwisdb.cc.kuleuven.ac.be/exameninfo/ombud
  sdiensten.htm

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Before the exams

• You found him/her!!
• Congrats!!! ?

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Before the exams

• 2. Now, make sure you (always) have his/her
  e-mail at hand (if possible, also a phone number)
• Check the examination regulations
• http//www.kuleuven.be/onderwijs/aanbod/info/alge
  meen/e/06040101.htm
• - It is your responsibility to know them!
• Contact your Ombuds for any questions about them

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During the exams

• If you have a problem?
• Share it ASAP with the Ombudsperson
• She/he will try to find the best solutions
• Problems that the Ombudsperson cannot solve
• Medical, Psychological, study difficulties, etc.

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During the exams

• Why should you visit the ombudsperson?
• To reschedule an exam for a VALID reason
• To report an irregularity
• To talk about anything that might be interfering
  with your studies and exam preparation
• To register a complaint about an exam

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During the exams

• Additional remarks Advice!!!
• If you are ill... a medical certificate is
  (likely to be) required to reschedule an exam
• DO NOT (re)arrange your own exam schedule by
  contacting the professors by yourself
• Be respectful to other students
• Do not compare if X student could, why not me?

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After the exams

• Results
• Pass / Fail or incomplete (diploma contract)?
  resist
• If you want to discuss post-exam options
• Contact the Ombudsperson ASAP (very short notice
  to report it!)
• Meet the professors
• Dont make the same mistake twice!

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Final remarks

• To avoid some exam-related problems
• - Make sure that
• - you have the complete exam scheduled before
  the examination session starts (date, place,
  hour, )
• - your ombuds is always informed about any
  possible problem you have/feel (cc. in your
  emails to/from professors),