Know Before You Go: The O.S.O.
Welcome to the Office of the Student Ombuds (O.S.O.), and welcome to The Omblog! For our first-ever blog post, I wanted to answer some of the most common questions that I get. A lot of visitors tell me, “I had no idea what to expect when I made an appointment with you.” So, I thought it might be helpful to outline what a typical meeting looks like and hopefully take away some of the uncertainty that comes with setting up an hour-long appointment with someone you’ve never met!
Let’s set the scene:
You’re dealing with a conflict. Maybe your roommate’s late-night phone calls are driving you crazy, or maybe you want to talk to your professor about a grade but don’t know how to raise the issue. Maybe you didn’t get the leadership role in an org that you were sure was yours. Whatever it is, you’re at your breaking point, and you have no idea what to do next or how to handle the situation. You see that OSO magnet on your fridge and think, “should I reach out??” but then you wonder if it’s even worth bringing someone else into the mix, and what exactly would happen if you did.
First off, you’re doing great. Navigating conflict on your own is tough, but by seeking support, you’re already on the right track. Here’s what you can expect when you decide to reach out to the OSO:
When should I reach out?
Honestly, whenever you’re ready! The sooner you reach out, the more options you’ll have to move forward, but I’m here to help at any step of the way, whenever you need a listening ear.
What can you help with?
Pretty much anything. Sometimes visitors come to the office and say: “I’m not sure whether this is the right place” or “This isn’t a big issue, so this shouldn’t take very long” but when we start talking, we both realize that the OSO is the right place and the issue is much more important than the visitor thought it was initially. Then we can chat to see what’s on your mind. What makes the OSO different from other offices at Georgetown is our no-barriers, off-the-record, confidential and informal approach. Whether you feel that you’re being treated unfairly, or you just want an impartial sounding board on a problem, talking to the Ombuds can help you gain clarity.
What happens in a meeting with the Ombuds?
When you come in, I’ll start by offering a cup of tea and some snacks to help make things feel a little more relaxed. Talking about a stressful situation with someone new can be intimidating, but I find that a little warmth and food can make it easier.
Then, I’ll give you more info about my role and what to expect, and you can ask any questions before getting into what’s on your mind. After that, whenever you’re ready, you’ll have the space to share what’s going on – no judgment, just listening. I’ll ask some questions, and then together we’ll explore your options and any resources that could help.
You don’t need to bring anything, but if you have any notes, email exchanges, or documents that might help explain things, feel free to bring them. Since we are confidential and we don’t maintain records, I’ll give everything back to you at the end of the meeting.
What happens after the meeting?
Before we finish meeting with each other, we’ll talk about next steps. You’ll also receive a feedback form a couple of days after meeting with me, which you can fill out anonymously. Since everything is confidential, nothing from our conversation is ever shared with anyone. I don’t even keep the notes from our meeting. The only time I’d break this confidentiality is if there is an immediate risk of serious harm to you or someone else.
How do I set up an appointment?
Super easy! Just click here to book an appointment or send an email to me at studentombuds@georgetown.edu. You can also give me a call at (202) 784-1081 if that’s easier.
If you’re dealing with something, big or small, and you’re not sure where to turn, I’m here to help. Don’t hesitate to set up an appointment – we’ll figure it out together!
– The OmBlog is a collaborative effort by the OSO team: Isabel Brooke, Riya Mittal and Dr. Daniela Brancaforte
