Ombudsperson for students

The ombudsperson for students is an independent, impartial person, whose role is to aid and advise students in cases related to studies and academic affairs. The ombudsperson has a duty of confidentiality and the service is free of charge.

The ombudsperson for students is an independent and impartial person whose role is to advise students at Nord University in cases related to their studies and academic situation.

The ombudsperson does not represent the university, or the students, but can assist in clarifying cases in an impartial manner. The ombudsperson ensures that each case is handled correctly and in accordance with due process, and that the student's rights are assured.

The ombudsperson has a duty of confidentiality. The service is free of charge. Students may contact the ombudsperson without further obligation. If the ombudsperson is unable to assist you, she will refer you to the correct authority.

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  • The ombudsperson can assist you with situations related to your studies and academic situation.


    Get in touch with the ombudsperson if you:

    - Have a problem and are unsure about who you should talk to.

    - Have an active case related to your studies/academic situation but are unsure about how to proceed.

    - Have reported a problem, but feel that you haven't been heard or have not received a response

  • Typical cases related to your studies/academic situation might be:

    - Examinations
    - Facilitation / special needs-
    - Work practice
    - Suitability assessment
    - Admissions
    - Discrimination
    - Bullying
    - Harassment
    - Student-student or student-staff/supervisor conflict
    - Issues related to confidentiality and duty of confidentiality
    - Administrative issues
    - Student rights

  • The ombudsperson can:

    - Listen to you and provide guidance in difficult situations.
    - Discuss your concerns, clarify questions and provide advice about your options and how to further your case.
    - Provide information and advice about your rights and obligations as student at Nord.
    - Help you to solve a problem at the lowest possible level.
    - Attend meetings between you as a student and the university's representatives as an impartial third party.
    - Investigate whether Nord University's management of your case accords with the applicable rules and regulations, and that your rights are assured.

  • - Adopt decisions in cases.

    - Act as a complaints or appeals authority in cases heard or determined in other departments or decision-making bodies at the university.

    - Instruct staff members, departments or decision-making bodies at the university.

    - Act as the student's representative or act as party to a case or ongoing conflict.

  • The ombudsperson can help you report a problem or misconduct, including:

    - Breach of security routines
    - Threats to health and safety, and life-threatening situations
    - Discrimination, bullying, and harassment

    The ombudsperson can help you with anonymous reporting.

  • If you believe that you are a victim of sexual harassment or the target of unwanted sexual attention within the learning environment, you can contact the ombudsperson for a confidential, informal talk. The ombudsperson will not further your case unless you specifically request help to do so.

  • The ombudsperson has a duty of confidentiality. This means that any enquiries you make to the ombudsperson are completely confidential and will not be discussed with anyone else. The ombudsperson can only access confidential information about you if you provide active consent.

  • In Norwegian only:

    Vedtatt av universitetsstyret 08.03.2018

    Studentombudets oppgave er å ivareta rettssikkerheten til studentene ved Nord universitet.

    Studentombudet skal være en uavhengig bistandsperson som har som oppgave å gi studentene råd og hjelp i saker der studentene har tatt opp eller ønsker/vurderer å ta opp forhold knyttet til sin studiesituasjon. Studentombudet skal påse at sakene får en forsvarlig og korrekt behandling, og at studentenes rettigheter blir ivaretatt.

    Studentombudet skal aktivt informere om sin funksjon til studentene ved Nord universitet, og gi nødvendig opplæring til studenttillitsvalgte om studentenes rettigheter og plikter.

    Studentombudet er organisatorisk plassert i avdeling for HR og økonomi, men har en uavhengig stilling​​ fra Nord universitets organisasjon. Studentombudet har ikke instruksjonsmyndighet overfor enhetene ved Nord universitet.

    Studentombudet skal bidra til at saker kan løses nærmest der de oppstår; dvs. på lavest mulig nivå i organisasjonen. Ombudet har selv ikke myndighet til å avgjøre saker, og er heller ikke klage- eller ankeinstans for saker som er behandlet og avgjort av andre enheter eller beslutningsorganer ved universitetet.

    Studentombudet skal årlig rapportere om sin virksomhet til rektor ved at det utarbeides halvårsrapporter. Disse skal legges fram for Universitetsstyret som orienteringssak. Rektor orienteres fortløpende om spesielt alvorlige saker, eller saker som er av prinsipiell betydning. Studentombudet kan på eget initiativ også fremme slike saker direkte for universitetsstyret.

    Studentombudet skal selv avgjøre om hun/han vil bistå en student i en sak eller ikke. Det skal alltid gis en begrunnelse når ombudet avslår å bistå i en sak, og avslaget kan ikke overklages. Dersom studentombudet ikke selv kan bistå i en sak, skal ombudet henvise studenten videre til rette instans.

    Studentombudet har bare innsyn i den enkelte saks dokumenter i den grad studenten det gjelder, har gitt samtykke til innsyn. Studentombudet har taushetsplikt etter forvaltningsloven § 13 om alle forhold hun/han blir kjent med gjennom sitt virke. Verken studenter eller noe organ ved universitetet har innsynsrett i studentombudets saker.

    Både studenter og ansatte skal kunne varsle studentombudet om kritikkverdige forhold knyttet til studiesituasjonen ved Nord universitet. Det skal kunne varsles konfidensielt dersom det bes om det.

    Det er kun universitetsstyret som kan treffe b​eslutninger om eventuell innskrenkning eller nedleggelse av studentombudets mandat

  • Please note that these are unofficial translations provided for information purposes only. For legal authenticity please consult the Norwegian versions at lovdata.no.

    Universities and University Colleges Act
    Regulations relating to studies and examinations at Nord University
    Public Administration Act
    Freedom of Information Act
    Regulations relating to suitability assessment in higher education
    Equality and Anti-Discrimination Act

Feel free to get in contact

Get in touch via email or telephone. Some inquiries are easily managed through email.

If you would like to make an appointment you can book a counseling session online.

Please note: If you send an email, provide a short explanation of your question/case. Please do not send sensitive documents or information, such as medical certificates and the like.

About me

I am a certified legal practitioner, with additional qualifications in practical pedagogy, psychology, and social anthropology.

I have broad experience from the public sector, where I have worked in public administration as well as advisory, guidance, and teaching positions. I have also held a range of representative offices.

I am a member of the Scandinavian Network of Ombuds in Higher Education and the Norwegian Student Ombud Network.