Student Concerns

The Ombuds Office is an Advocate for Fairness

The Office of the University Ombuds works with students, faculty and staff to assist in problem solving and as an advocate for fairness. The Ombuds will listen to your concern and will work with you to understand your interests and goals. The Ombuds will explain policies and procedures, help define options, and work with you and others to create strategies to resolve problems. If the issue is appropriately handled by the Ombuds Office, we will assist in developing strategies to help resolve your concern or conflict. If another office is better suited to address or resolve the concern, we will advise you of those options. The Ombuds handles conflicts on a case-by case basis, with different strategies used depending on the issues and individuals involved.

How should I resolve my concerns or complaints?

The Ombuds Office will work with you to resolve your issues. In some circumstances a conversation, conflict coaching, a facilitated discussion or a mediation might be appropriate. Find additional resources to address your concerns or complaints below and refer to Resolving Student Concerns & Complaints

Academic concern
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If your complaint is academic, meaning it relates to grades or coursework, the first step would be to speak to the involved party. The involved party might be the professor or dean of the appropriate college. If you’ve already tried speaking with the involved party and the issue remains unresolved or if you feel uncomfortable speaking with the involved party, you can speak to the University Ombuds.

University Ombuds

Office: Edwards Hall 213

Phone: (239) 590-1022
Discrimination & Title IX
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FGCU does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, age, disability, sex, gender identity/expression, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, or genetic predisposition. We promote ethical decisions and responsible stewardship of resources to foster trust and promote the best interests our community broadly, and provide oversight and guidance for FGCU's compliance with applicable state and federal laws, regulations, professional standards, and university regulations and policies.

Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance

Ways to report discrimination & Title IX issues

If you want to report discrimination or a Title IX issue, you have several options:
- Walk in to Edwards Hall 114
- Call or email
- Submit an online report (anonymous option available)
Accessibility concern
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If you need assistance regarding an issue with disability accommodations or campus accessibility, you can contact Adaptive Services.

Adaptive Services

Office: Wellness Building

Phone: (239) 590-7956
Mental health issue and life stressor
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If you are struggling with mental health issues, you can contact the Counseling and Psychological Services Office.

Counseling and Psychological Services

Office: Student and Community Counseling Center

Phone: (239) 590-7950

If you need assistance with managing life stressors that may be impacting your academics and personal well-being, such as homelessness, extenuating circumstances, or hospitalization, you can contact Student Care Services.

Student Care Services

Office: Cohen Center 288

Phone: (239) 590-7900
Safety concern
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If you have been the victim of a crime and you need to report, you can contact the University Police Department.

University Police Department

Office: Campus Support Complex

Phone: (239) 590-1900
Financial concern
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If you are having trouble with financial matters, such as scholarships, grants, tuition waivers, or payments, you can contact the Financial Aid office.

Financial Aid Office

Office: McTarnagan Hall

Phone: (239) 590-7920
Housing concern
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If you need help with a situation that is happening with a roommate or other student in housing, you can contact Student Housing.

Student Housing

Phone: (239) 590-1700

Campus

FAQs

What can you expect when you visit the Ombudsperson?
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- The Ombudsperson will listen to you
- The Ombudsperson will work with you to determine what your interests and goals are and will help you identify options and strategies to help resolve your concern or conflict
What we do
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- 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.
Benefits
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The benefits of these informal processes are that:
- the processes are flexible;
- 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.

Office of University Ombuds

Monique McKay, LL.B, LL.M

Assistant to the President,

University Ombuds

Edwards Hall Room 213C

mmckay@fgcu.edu

Charlotte Bingham, MPA

Assistant Ombuds

Edwards Hall 213B

cbingham@fgcu.edu

Florida has a very broad public records law. Do not include confidential information in your email.

(239) 590-1022

Fax (239) 590-7407