Student Ombudsman - Presentation

The Student Ombudsman is an independent body whose function is to defend and promote the rights and legitimate interests of enrolled students at iscte.

The Student Ombudsman is appointed by the Rector, on the proposal of the Pedagogical Council, after consultation with the Students' Association, from among individuals who are not currently exercising functions at Iscte.

It is the responsibility of the Student Ombudsman to assess students' exposure to related pedagogies and to assess social and administrative matters. The Ombudsman's activities are carried out in coordination with the Pedagogical Council, the Students Association, and the Social Services, in accordance with the Student Ombudsman Regulation, approved by the General Council.

Provider

Maria das Dores Guerreiro

Confidentiality

The Student Ombudsman and their staff are bound by a duty of confidentiality, in accordance with the law, regarding information relating to the privacy and personal lives of those involved in the proceedings. Such information shall also be excluded from the annual activity report.

Cooperation

All bodies, teaching and research units and services are obliged to provide the cooperation, clarifications and information requested by the Ombudsman for the performance of his duties, and are obliged to state their position and inform the Ombudsman and the persons concerned of the stance they have adopted regarding the recommendations received.

The Ombudsman is authorised to set a written deadline for compliance with any urgent requests they make.

Unjustified failure to fulfil the duty of cooperation and collaboration set out in the preceding paragraphs constitutes an act of insubordination subject to disciplinary proceedings.

The Student Ombudsman may also request information from the Iscte Students’ Association and other bodies, as well as from any student with an interest in or connection to the case in question, and may require their attendance for a hearing through the competent bodies; absence shall be excused if the hearing coincides with teaching activities.

What the Ombudsman can do

Without prejudice to the powers conferred on other bodies and departments of Iscte, the Student Ombudsman is responsible for:

Considering reports or submissions from students regarding educational and social welfare matters, as well as related administrative matters;
To make recommendations to the competent bodies regarding the actions to be undertaken and the measures to be taken, following an analysis of the issues submitted to them, with a view to preventing and redressing illegalities or injustices and increasing the level of satisfaction amongst those studying at Iscte.

What the Ombudsman cannot do

Annul, revoke or amend the decisions of the bodies with statutory authority;
Suspend the running of any time limits, in particular those relating to complaints, internal appeals or the exercise of any other rights;
Intervene in scientific matters, specific academic assessment results or ongoing disciplinary proceedings in which students are involved as defendants or complainants.