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In this day and age, it seems that any concerned, inspired, or short individual can make their voice heard with two simple ingredients: a platform and a microphone. We are providing both.
The Ombudsman committee is hosting its annual open mic forum, commonly known as ‘Brutally Honest’, on Wednesday, Nov. 16 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the TSC Patio. The event will give students an opportunity to freely express their thoughts, opinions and grievances in a public forum. Some students in the past have attempted to use the forum, with mixed reaction, to launch careers in magic, ventriloquism and stand-up comedy, while others have addressed a wide variety of issues ranging from politics and parking to cell phone etiquette. In order to motivate students to brave the cold and risk humiliating themselves and their family name, free hot chocolate will be served and T-shirts will be awarded to those who participate. Members of the Ombudsman committee will be on hand to take note of concerns addressed by students.
The ‘Brutally Honest’ forum is one of many efforts of the Ombudsman committee to take the pulse of the campus community. If you don”t know what the word “ombudsman” means, don”t worry. It”s Swedish. An ombudsman is defined as “one that investigates reported complaints, reports findings and helps to achieve equitable settlements.”
At Utah State University, the student advocate serves as the official ombudsman for the student body, including both Swedes and non-Swedes alike. The Ombudsman Committee, which consists of the student advocate and other students-at-large, fields student concerns, complaints and suggestions, and together with the student, researches the issue and seeks out the best possible solution. The committee serves as a link between the students and administration, therefore expediting the process of resolving concerns. The administration hears few complaints directly from students, -not necessarily because there is an absence of concerns or an unwillingness to hear them, but because most students simply don”t know who to contact.
Therefore, students are encouraged to approach the committee to ensure that their concerns are channeled to the correct party. If the Ombudsman committee can”t directly resolve the student’s concern, it will assist the student in his or her effort until a solution is achieved.
Some issues presented to the committee seem to be recurring, which tells us that each student faces many of the same problems as his or her fellow classmates. The Ombudsman committee could – but should not – be compared to a prosecuting lawyer presenting a class action suit. Each individual plaintiff presenting his or her personal case will have little luck in the court system, whereas a larger group, made up of many plaintiffs, has the momentum and resources to present a convincing case. The Ombudsman committee could also, and would like to be, compared to the wise King Solomon of old or Grandpa – both of whom always had the right answer. Students may contact the student advocate by calling 797-1720, visiting TSC Room 340 or e-mailing ombudsman@cc.usu.edu. Please send urgent concerns to: im_losing_sleep_because_im_so_upset_about_the_new_game_day_shirts_and_i_need_someone_to_talk_to@hotmail.com. Concerns about the weather, which we”re working feverishly on, can be sent to go_ahead_and_transfer_to_byu_idaho@gmail.com.
Justin Atkinson is the USU student advocate. Comments can be sent to atkinson@cc.usu.edu.