Student Ombudsman
Ignacy Łukasiewicz Rzeszów University of Technology is the largest technical university in Podkarpacie region. In accordance with its mission, it provides world-class education and research, taking into account the needs of the economic and social environment, ensuring a friendly working and development atmosphere for students and staff. The task of our University is also education and upbringing of graduates as well as creation of attitudes of students, PhD students and post-graduate students in the spirit of respect for human rights, patriotism, sensitivity, respect, tolerance, responsibility and reliable performance of their duties, which, combined with adequate competences and skills acquired in the process of teaching, allows to achieve success.
Rzeszów University of Technology is a university that has always put and will continue to put the interests of its students as the highest good of the university. With this in mind, as of October 1 2021, the institution of a Student Ombudsman was established. The Ombudsman’s most important tasks include defending the rights of all persons studying at Rzeszów University of Technology, mediating in situations of dispute and conflict, upholding students’ rights, intervening in cases of violation of students’ rights and taking preventive measures to increase awareness of students’ rights and duties.
If you feel that anyone violates the rights of students and doctoral students at our University, you are in a difficult situation related to the course of your studies, your voice is ignored in matters important to Rzeszów University of Technology, you are welcome to contact the Student Ombudsman.
Bearing in mind the good of our University and the possible difficult nature of the matters under consideration, we emphasise that:
The Ombudsman does not deal with cases reported anonymously.
You can submit your complaint in writing, verbally or electronically.
Please note, however, that while the Ombudsperson provides assistance in difficult and complex cases involving conflicts and violations of students’ rights and dignity, they do not deal with typical issues related to the process of applying for scholarships, places in student dormitory, enrolment in specialisations, or changes to class timetables.
Decrees His Magnificence the Rector of PRz:
If your issue is of a typical course-related nature then:
- Look for verified information in the Academic Regulations, on the websites of our University, check the study plans and programmes, read the information published on the notice boards of the deaneries.
- Ask other students for help. Ask the class representative.
- Through the class representative, direct your enquiry to the year supervisor.
- Come to the office of the dean responsible for your course; together you will look for a solution.
- Get help from the student and faculty councils.
Tasks of the Student Ombudsman
The most important tasks of the Ombudsman are:
- signalling problems related to the student community to the University authorities and presenting proposals on how to solve them
- asking the University authorities and bodies of the University to take a stand or provide information on a specific issue concerning students’ rights
- providing assistance in obtaining legal aid for students in matters related to the protection of students’ rights
- when requested by the University authorities, providing opinions on so far issued acts by the University authorities they concern the rights of students, doctoral students, and postgraduate students
- promoting ethical attitudes among the University employees, students, doctoral students, and other employees
- assistance in clarifying issues and obtaining information from the organizational units of the University
- promoting effective methods of resolving conflicts and disputes
- assisting students in solving disputes and conflicts both between students and between students and employees or authorities of the University.
Student Ombudsman Rights
The Ombudsman is a representative of students who has the right to:
- ask the University authorities and bodies of the University to take a stand or provide information on a specific issue concerning students’ rights
- appear on behalf of and with the consent of students to the bodies and units of the University and request a written response;
- participate in disciplinary proceedings concerning students, in particular, in meetings of student disciplinary committees and hearings
- have access, upon the consent of a given person or the Rector of PRz, to the documentation related to the course of education of a given student
- hold individual meetings and meetings with the persons concerned in order to resolve possible conflicts.
Responsibilities of the Student Ombudsman
The Ombudsman, as a student representative, has a duty to:
- maintain confidentiality, impartiality and neutrality, and be guided by the principle of protecting the identity of the person raising the concern, and the principle of equal treatment of the parties to the conflict, including the equal right to be heard;
- mediate in situations of crisis or concerning students, doctoral students and postgraduate students;
- accept any case if it is not submitted in an anonymous form and listen to any complaint or problem of a student of Rzeszów University of Technology;
- at the student’s request, act as a representative or defense counsel in investigation or disciplinary proceedings;
- conduct in person at least a 1-hour on-call or on-line duty during the week at a place and time agreed upon with students
- maintain, in cooperation with the students’ and doctoral students’ council, a website presenting the scope and profile of the Ombudsman’s activities and enabling contact and the submission of requests and complaints
- organize, at least once a semester, a public meeting with the students and, at least once a year, present to the Student Government and the Rector the problems of the student community and suggest ways of solving them.