The Ombudspersons

What can the Student Ombud help you with?

If you have questions about admission to studies, exams, practical training, complaints, health, safety and psychosocial environment, cases of academic misconduct or suitability assessments, you can contact the Student Ombuds.

The Student Ombuds can, among other things, help you with questions about your rights in your study situation, communicate with different parts of the university, and provide information about guidelines and procedures. The Ombud can also assist you with how to appeal a decision or if you feel that a procedure or practice at OsloMet is not being followed correctly. If you're unsure where to turn for help, the Student Ombud can advise you on this.

The values that guide the work of the Student Ombud are:

• Independent
• Confidential
• Informal
• Neutral

Independence

Independence is essential to the work of the Student Ombud.
Students who find themselves in difficult situations may lack trust in OsloMet. There can be many reasons for this. Perhaps the student has not felt heard in the past. Perhaps the people the student encounters are themselves involved in the conflict, or the student may feel that the institution has something to gain or lose by giving a particular piece of advice.
Although the Student Ombud is affiliated with OsloMet, we provide advice and guidance independently of the institution.
The Student Ombud has a good understanding of regulations and procedures and can therefore explain what has happened, why it happened, and whether there is anything that can be done to resolve the issue. In cases where what has happened is within the rules, it can be just as helpful for the Student Ombud to explain why.

Confidentiality

With very few exceptions, the Student Ombud has a duty of confidentiality regarding everything learned in connection with the position. This means that when a student visits the office, calls, or sends an email, they can be confident that everything said will remain confidential. You can tell the Student Ombud anything without fear that others will find out. The Student Ombud is bound by confidentiality regarding your case, both within and outside of OsloMet.
Some students wish to remain anonymous, especially in cases where they report concerning conditions. The Student Ombud can assist students who want to report anonymously, for example in cases of harassment, bullying, embezzlement, or breaches of safety procedures.
Some students need to speak up about something that has happened without the case being pursued further. The Student Ombud welcomes such cases as well, in order to work on improving the educational environment at a broader level, without addressing individual cases.

Informality

The Student Ombud is a low-threshold service. It is important that students do not feel it is difficult to ask questions. The door is open whether you have a serious concern or are simply unsure about your rights as a student or how to proceed in a particular matter.
Neutrality
Firstly, the Student Ombud is politically neutral and does not comment on political issues.
Secondly, the Student Ombud will never take sides in a case. The Ombud works to shed light on a case from all perspectives and explore different solutions in an impartial way to find good outcomes for everyone involved. The Student Ombud is bound by regulations—not by the student’s personal interests or OsloMet’s preferences.