Annual Report 2023 -24

Introduction

All students encounter challenges during their academic journey, ranging from minor issues to more significant obstacles. The Office of the Student Ombuds (OSO) is dedicated to providing support, guidance, and a safe space for addressing these concerns in a confidential and impartial manner. In the past year, we’ve seen an increase in the number of students seeking our assistance, prompting us to enhance our outreach efforts, refine our services, and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that every student’s voice is heard. Through active listening, informal mediation, and conflict coaching, we strive to facilitate resolution and promote effective communication.

This report highlights what we’ve accomplished, how we’ve helped, and what we’re striving for next. Because at the end of the day, the Georgetown community is stronger when students feel empowered to voice their concerns, ask questions and explore their options.

Visitor Engagement
This year, we saw a 19.2% increase in visitor traffic, with the number of individuals seeking support rising from 333 in 2022-23 to 397 in 2023-24. Graduate students continued to make up a significant portion of our visitors, reinforcing our role in addressing their unique challenges and needs. 

Key Issues
Students approached OSO with a wide range of concerns, but Evaluative Relationships between Georgetown faculty or staff and students were the most prevalent. A total of 167 issues were raised in this category, with concerns about Respect/Treatment and Communication occurring in about 50% of visitor cases.

Outreach Initiatives
Expanding our outreach efforts has been a top priority. This year, OSO held 27 outreach events with an estimated audience of over 2,200 participants. Our growing presence on Instagram (@georgetownombuds) has allowed us to engage more effectively with students online and provide accessible information about our services. Additionally, increased workshops on conflict resolution and restorative justice have equipped students with the skills to navigate challenges constructively.

Feedback and Impact
Post-visit feedback from students was overwhelmingly positive. Many reported that their concerns were resolved informally and efficiently, reducing stress and improving their overall experience at Georgetown. The report also includes recommendations for further improving services, ensuring that OSO continues to provide meaningful support to all students.

Looking Forward
As we reflect on this year’s progress, we are excited about the future. In the coming year, we aim to:

  • Continue to be a trusted, confidential resource for all Georgetown University students, ensuring that every voice is heard and every concern is addressed with care.
  • Expand our workshop offerings to equip more students with conflict resolution skills.
  • Deepen our commitment to restorative justice by embedding these principles further into our work.

We invite you to explore the full report for more insights into our work and impact over the past year.

Annual Report 2023-24

Cover image of the annual report

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