The Office of the Ombudsperson at the University of Waterloo supports students by providing confidential, impartial, and independent assistance.
We promote transparency, accountability, integrity, respect, and accessibility, ensuring every student's voice is heard and valued in a fair and equitable academic environment.
What we do
- Demystify policy, procedure and regulations for students
- Explore options on how to proceed
- Make referrals where required
- Provide guidance to plan a strategy and promote problem solving
- Empower students to deal directly and effectively with their concerns
- Give sound, practical advice
- Listen and provide objective perspectives
What we don't do
- Decide who is right or wrong
- Take sides
- Receive complaints unrelated to student life
- Provide legal advice or counselling
- Advocate for an individual case
- Compel actions or overturn decisions
Students might visit the Ombuds Office with academic or non-academic problems including:
Academic
- Academic petitions, grievances and appeals
- Academic misconduct (e.g. cheating, plagiarism)
- Student records and transcripts
- Course rules and requirements
- Problems with Instructors
- Academic progression and required to withdraw decisions
Non-academic
- Fees or financial issues
- Parking
- Fines and refunds
- Ethical behaviour
- Non-academic discipline
- Residence
- Clubs/associations
At the University of Waterloo, the Ombuds Office is governed by the Memorandum of Understanding (PDF) - an agreement made between the University and the student associations.
As per the MOU, the Office is co-funded by the University and by Students through Student Fees. This financial division encourages and reinforces the office's impartiality and independence.
The Office of the Ombudsperson abides by the Standards of Practice of the Association of Canadian College and University Ombudspersons (ACCUO), and requires Respectful Communication and Behaviour of all visitors to the office.
Confidentiality
We maintain confidentiality for all of our visitors and keep all information provided confidential, except when:
- You have given staff in the Ombuds Office permission to share information with a specific party or office.
- Disclosure is required or authorized by law; or
- Compelling circumstances exist that affect anyone’s health or safety.
In return, we ask that all visitors to the Office—including students, staff, and support persons—respect the confidentiality of our communications. This includes refraining from recording, distributing, or disclosing information shared during meetings, consultations, or correspondence without the permission of all parties involved.
This mutual commitment to confidentiality helps ensure a safe, respectful, and constructive environment for all individuals engaging with the Office.