Fostering a safe environment
The ombuds team provides confidential, independent, impartial, and informal services to the University community. Our aim is to create a safe environment for individuals to raise questions and concerns and discuss possible options for resolution.
Appropriate Dispute Resolution Services (ADRS)
The core of our work centres on informal Appropriate Dispute Resolution Services (ADRS). ADRS address conflicts or concerns in a flexible and voluntary way without engaging in formal procedures. Focusing on open communication and mutual understanding, the goal is to help parties reach a resolution collaboratively and amicably, without the need for official sanctions or policy changes.
The ombuds services are guided by the following principles:
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Confidentiality
We don’t disclose any personal information to individuals or University bodies unless (1) there is a written request from a visitor to share or help communicate information to University decision-makers or support services, (2) there is a threat of imminent serious harm to us or others.
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Independence
We report directly to the Board of Governors of the University of Luxembourg and operate independently of the Rectorate, offices of faculty deans and centre directors, student and staff delegations, or any other body or unit within the University.
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Impartiality
We serve the entire University community, considering all perspectives in a conflict and helping those involved to understand one another. We do not advocate for any individual, group, or the University as an institution.
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Informality / Accessibility
We operate through moral suasion and statistically supported recommendations at the structural level, while focusing on empowerment at the individual and interpersonal levels.
We do not engage in formal proceedings, nor do we impose behavioural changes or sanctions on individuals.
We do not mandate or enforce University policy or procedural changes, although we make non-binding recommendations to every level of university administration below the Board of Governors.
Our services are free of charge and available in-person at the Belval or Kirchberg campuses and online via Zoom (private individual ombuds accounts), Teams, WebEx, and telephone.
Who can contact us
Ombuds services are offered to visitors who wish to reflect and act on their own initiative before, during, or after experiencing discord/tension/conflict:
- staff (academic, administrative, technical)
- students (any program, any level)
- individuals whose interests are directly affected by a suspected breach of University regulations.
A single visitor may open more than one case with the Ombuds over time, and each case is treated separately. A session may require under an hour or several hours, depending on the case. While scheduling may be delayed due to the availability of both the visitor and the Ombuds, the Ombuds will strive to complete all Appropriate Dispute Resolution processes within three months.