WESLEYAN STUDENT OMBUDS
2024-2025 Academic Year
** This is a paid student job open to all students regardless of work study eligibility **
Basic Position Overview
The Wesleyan Student Ombuds Program (link) was informed and inspired by student voices and began in Fall 2021.
The Student Ombuds serve as neutral and confidential* resources and thought partners for students who are considering their options for addressing an issue, especially in situations where there are power and positionality differences. The Ombuds can support students who are experiencing or observing unfair treatment, communication breakdown, microaggressions, or other challenging interpersonal matters, particularly when the other party is in a position of power in relation to the student (e.g., a professor, coach, or supervisor). Although separate from the University’s Ombudsperson (link) for staff and faculty, these Student Ombuds use similar conflict resolution and restorative justice practices. Student Ombuds provide information about resources, offer perspective, and advise students as they explore and navigate their options for resolving concerns.
Each cohort of Student Ombuds is selected to represent various academic areas of the institution (i.e., each academic division and Athletics), and to represent a range of perspectives, connections, and lived experiences.
Each Student Ombud earns $17/hour for their work, with between 2 and 5 hours of work each week. As 2024-2025 will be the fourth year of this program, the next cohort of Student Ombuds will play a role in continuing to shape the program and its future.
Student Ombuds report to Dr. April Ruiz, Dean for Academic Equity, Inclusion, & Success
Duties include:
Serve as a confidential*, neutral thought partner for students considering their options for resolving an issue, especially when the other party is in a position of power in relation to the student (for example, a professor, coach, or supervisor)
Hold a safe and supportive conversational space, simply listening and serving as an impartial sounding board
Provide insight on managing challenging conversations
Share information about campus resources
Explain institutional policies and processes, including those regarding how to make a formal complaint to the University
Communicate any patterns of concern to university leadership
*The Student Ombuds stand with survivors of sexual misconduct, though they do not serve as a confidential resource for these matters.
FOR DETAILS ABOUT THE POSITION AND THE APPLICATION PROCESS, VISIT THIS LINK.
*** DEADLINE: SUNDAY, APRIL 28TH ***
Please direct any questions to
Dean April Ruiz at aruiz01@wesleyan.edu (Please note that Dean Ruiz is traveling internationally for Wesleyan in the month of April, and her email responses will be slow.)
Any of the 2023-2024 Student Ombuds, who are listed here: https://www.wesleyan.edu/inclusion/student-ombuds.html
