Complaints and Appeals University of British Columbia (5:VIII): Difference between revisions

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{{REVIEWED LSLAP | date= July 22, 2024}}
{{LSLAP Manual TOC|expanded = complaints}}
{{LSLAP Manual TOC|expanded = complaints}}


The Alma Mater Society (AMS) Ombuds Office and the AMS Advocacy Office work hand-in-hand to assist students who are in conflict with the University of British Columbia.  
Often, issues with the University of British Columbia cannot be solved via legal action, but can be resolved through formal or informal appeals processes. This applies equally to other educational institutions. There are various resources to assist UBC students and faculty with complaints and appeals related to UBC. Even when an individual may have legal recourse, it is generally prudent to exhaust internal appeals before proceeding with legal action. The following resources may be helpful for individuals with issues relating to UBC.


Each individual community colleges and university have their own complaints process regarding bullying, harassment, human rights, academic integrity and general student and faculty conduct. Visit each institution’s websites regarding their policies and procedures regarding a resolution in these areas.  
== A. The UBC Ombuds Office ==


== A. The AMS Ombuds Office ==
The Office of the Ombudsperson for Students (the Ombuds Office) provides general resource information to students, makes appropriate referrals, and identifies and explains relevant university processes and policies. The Ombuds Office can facilitate discussions and use informal channels to seek the resolution of issues.


The AMS Ombudsperson can assist both graduate and undergraduate students who feel that they have been treated unfairly or need to approach the University or the AMS to resolve a conflict. The Ombudsperson acts impartially, is independent of any administrative body, and provides confidential service. The Ombuds office is an excellent resource for resolving disputes with the university and university authorities such as Campus  Security, Campus RCMP, the Dean’s Office, and Booking Services. The office provides the following services:
The Ombuds Office can be contacted at:
*Conflict management services to AMS clubs and constituencies undergoing internal conflicts;
*Facilitating and negotiating resolutions between students and the University;
*Receiving and investigating complaints about the AMS;
*Preparing students for meetings with university representatives;
*Helping students with appeals;
*Providing conflict resolution workshops;
*Advising students about their options and resources;
*Assisting students with academic disputes (disputing grades, disputes between graduate students and supervisors, withdrawals, quality of instruction, etc.); and
*Assisting students with non-academic disputes (housing appeals, financial aid, and registration issues).
 
Appeals may be filed at the office or online.  The current Ombudsperson is Oluwakemi Oke. The Ombuds Office is staffed 30 hours per week and may be contacted at:
 
'''The AMS Ombuds Office'''


'''Office of the Ombudsperson for Students'''
{{ResourcesLSLAP
{{ResourcesLSLAP
| address = NEST 3119 - 6133 University Boulevard <br /> Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1
| address = 181 - 1855 West Mall <br /> Vancouver, BC Canada V6T 1Z2
| phone = (604) 822-4846 <br />  
| phone = (604) 822-6149 <br />  
| online = [http://www.ams.ubc.ca/services/advocacy-ombuds/ombuds-office Website] Email: ombudsperson@ams.ubc.ca
| online = [https://ombudsoffice.ubc.ca/contact-us/ Website] <br /> Email: ombuds.office@ubc.ca
}}
}}


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In situations where a student needs to appeal a final decision made by a department, faculty, or University representative, the AMS Advocacy  Office can provide assistance by giving the student advice on their rights and responsibilities, assisting them with drafting letters and documents and representing students who must go before formal hearings at the University. Some of the specific issues the Advocacy Office helps with are:  
In situations where a student needs to appeal a final decision made by a department, faculty, or University representative, the AMS Advocacy  Office can provide assistance by giving the student advice on their rights and responsibilities, assisting them with drafting letters and documents and representing students who must go before formal hearings at the University. Some of the specific issues the Advocacy Office helps with are:  
*Student discipline cases (plagiarism, cheating, and non-academic discipline);  
*Academic misconduct and other student disciplinary issues;  
*Academic appeals;  
*Academic appeals;  
*Residence or other UBC housing issues;  
*Decisions made by academic advising, enrolment services and other bodies;
*Parking disputes;  
*UBC student housing issues;
*Requests for information under the ''Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act''; and
*Off-campus housing issues;
*Library fine appeals.
*Accessibility: disputes with the CFA and discrimination complaints;
*Parking and library fines; and
*Non-academic misconduct issues.
 
The Advocacy Coordinator can be contacted at:


The current representative, Angus Shaw, can be contacted at:


'''The AMS Advocacy Office'''
'''The AMS Advocacy Office'''
{{ResourcesLSLAP
{{ResourcesLSLAP
| address = AMS NEST 3118 <br /> Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1  
| address = NEST 3119 - 6133 University Boulevard <br /> Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1  
| phone = (604) 822-9855  
| phone = (604) 822-9855  
| online = [http://www.ams.ubc.ca/services/advocacy-ombuds/%20advocacy-office/ Website] <br /> Email: advocate@ams.ubc.ca
| online = [https://www.ams.ubc.ca/support-services/student-services/advocacy/ Website] <br /> Email: advocate@ams.ubc.ca
}}
 
== C. The AMS Ombuds Office ==


The AMS Ombudsperson is independent of any administrative body including both the AMS and UBC. Its jurisdiction and mandate are limited to AMS issues. The Ombuds office offers the following services to students and AMS staff:
*Conflict management services to AMS clubs and constituencies undergoing internal conflicts; and
*Receiving and investigating complaints about the AMS.
Appeals may be filed at the office or online. The Ombuds Office is staffed 30 hours per week and may be contacted at:
'''The AMS Ombuds Office'''
{{ResourcesLSLAP
| address = NEST 3119 - 6133 University Boulevard <br /> Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1
| phone = (604) 822-4846
| online = [https://www.ams.ubc.ca/support-services/ombuds/  Website] <br /> Email: ombudsperson@ams.ubc.ca
}}
}}
== D. UBC Equity & Inclusion Office ==
For students and faculty with concerns relating to discrimination, the Equity & Inclusion Office’s human rights advising team can:
*Consult on human-rights related discrimination and provide information and advice;
*Work with relevant parties to resolve concerns informally, where possible; and
*Assist with filing a formal complaint, as appropriate.
More information, and a form to request an appointment, is available at the following link: https://equity.ubc.ca/how-we-can-help/human-rights-advising/




{{REVIEWED LSLAP | date= June 13, 2019}}
{{LSLAP Manual Navbox|type = chapters1-7}}

Latest revision as of 23:00, 15 August 2024

This information applies to British Columbia, Canada. Last reviewed for legal accuracy by the Law Students' Legal Advice Program on July 22, 2024.



Often, issues with the University of British Columbia cannot be solved via legal action, but can be resolved through formal or informal appeals processes. This applies equally to other educational institutions. There are various resources to assist UBC students and faculty with complaints and appeals related to UBC. Even when an individual may have legal recourse, it is generally prudent to exhaust internal appeals before proceeding with legal action. The following resources may be helpful for individuals with issues relating to UBC.

A. The UBC Ombuds Office

The Office of the Ombudsperson for Students (the Ombuds Office) provides general resource information to students, makes appropriate referrals, and identifies and explains relevant university processes and policies. The Ombuds Office can facilitate discussions and use informal channels to seek the resolution of issues.

The Ombuds Office can be contacted at:

Office of the Ombudsperson for Students

Online Website
Email: ombuds.office@ubc.ca
Address 181 - 1855 West Mall
Vancouver, BC Canada V6T 1Z2
Phone (604) 822-6149


B. The AMS Advocacy Office

In situations where a student needs to appeal a final decision made by a department, faculty, or University representative, the AMS Advocacy Office can provide assistance by giving the student advice on their rights and responsibilities, assisting them with drafting letters and documents and representing students who must go before formal hearings at the University. Some of the specific issues the Advocacy Office helps with are:

  • Academic misconduct and other student disciplinary issues;
  • Academic appeals;
  • Decisions made by academic advising, enrolment services and other bodies;
  • UBC student housing issues;
  • Off-campus housing issues;
  • Accessibility: disputes with the CFA and discrimination complaints;
  • Parking and library fines; and
  • Non-academic misconduct issues.

The Advocacy Coordinator can be contacted at:


The AMS Advocacy Office

Online Website
Email: advocate@ams.ubc.ca
Address NEST 3119 - 6133 University Boulevard
Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1
Phone (604) 822-9855


C. The AMS Ombuds Office

The AMS Ombudsperson is independent of any administrative body including both the AMS and UBC. Its jurisdiction and mandate are limited to AMS issues. The Ombuds office offers the following services to students and AMS staff:

  • Conflict management services to AMS clubs and constituencies undergoing internal conflicts; and
  • Receiving and investigating complaints about the AMS.

Appeals may be filed at the office or online. The Ombuds Office is staffed 30 hours per week and may be contacted at:


The AMS Ombuds Office

Online Website
Email: ombudsperson@ams.ubc.ca
Address NEST 3119 - 6133 University Boulevard
Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1
Phone (604) 822-4846


D. UBC Equity & Inclusion Office

For students and faculty with concerns relating to discrimination, the Equity & Inclusion Office’s human rights advising team can:

  • Consult on human-rights related discrimination and provide information and advice;
  • Work with relevant parties to resolve concerns informally, where possible; and
  • Assist with filing a formal complaint, as appropriate.

More information, and a form to request an appointment, is available at the following link: https://equity.ubc.ca/how-we-can-help/human-rights-advising/


© Copyright 2024, The Greater Vancouver Law Students' Legal Advice Society.