Student Ombuds Services (SOS)

College Mission Statement

Northern Virginia Community College provides equitable access to affordable and exceptional higher education and workforce programs, transforming the lives of our students and advancing opportunity in our community.

Student Ombuds Purpose Statement

The purpose of Student Ombuds Services at Northern Virginia Community College is to provide confidential, independent, impartial, and informal conflict and dispute resolution services for students in a community that values respectful dialogue, fair practices, and mutual understanding. Student Ombuds Services informs College leaders, through annual reporting, about general trends that warrant review or further consideration of policies and procedures for the benefit of the College community.

What is an Ombudsperson?

An Ombudsperson or Ombuds, from the term Ombudsman, is a confidential*, impartial, independent, and informal resource within the College, designated to assist the student body in managing and resolving conflicts and other types of organizational concerns.

*Conversations are confidential unless there appears to be imminent risk of harm or danger to the student and/or another person.

Role of the Student Ombudsperson

The Student Ombuds Services at NOVA provides all students with a safe place to bring questions and concerns about the College’s policies and/or procedures.
 
The Student Ombuds Services assist students by considering all sides of an issue in an impartial and objective way and advises the student on how to best resolve the problems.
 
The Student Ombuds Services reports to Lawrence Nightingale, Ph.D. Interim Director of Student Rights and Responsibilities.