Staff and student grievances and complaints
Official complaints service
Within the Legal Office, the official complaints service is installed. They handle all complaints about the general functioning of the University (excl. work-related issues and educational rules and regulations).
With complaints concerning the UGent facilities, e-mail:
Staff
The University has an in-house mediation service that offers an informal and confidential way to resolve problems and complaints.
- Personnel Guidance Officer: work-related issues such as team work, leadership, demotivation, alcohol and drug abuse etc.
- Internal Ombuds Service: issues with the services of central and faculty administrations (handling of your file, incorrect information, bad communication etc.)
Taking action against sexual harassment and bullying at work is possible via the internal and intermediary confidants.
The Equality and Diversity Unit (in Dutch) works in partnership with the central and faculty administration to ensure that the University's goal of the pursuit of excellence goes hand in hand with ensuring freedom from discrimination and equality of opportunity.
Students
Students are encouraged to raise any complaints or grievances with an appropriate member of staff at the earliest opportunity, as complaints that are dealt with informally at an early stage have the best chance of being resolved effectively.
Where informal procedures have failed to resolve the problem, students may bring a complaint under the Student Grievance Procedure. This means contacting one of the faculty ombudspersons (in Dutch).
The faculty ombudsperson treats complaints from students and staff members relating to the implementation of the Education and Examination Code and/or the provisions governing the legal position of students and/or situations which are perceived to be unfair within the wider framework of educational or examination events. They are bound to observe every discretion.
If the problem is not resolved through their mediation, students can contact the institutional ombuds service.
In certain situations, student may file internal appeal with the Internal Appeals Commission, as stipulated in the Education and Examination Code.
Doctoral students: Your dissertation supervisor (promotor) plays a central part as the person coaching your doctoral research efforts. If, for some reason, you are unable to mediate with your dissertation supervisor, please do not hesitate to speak to a faculty ombudsperson for doctoral students.
Disciplinary actions
Disciplinary procedures help encourage members of staff to achieve and maintain standards of behaviour and performance. They also help to ensure that disciplinary offences or matters of poor performance are dealt with fairly and consistently.
Students can also face disciplinary action.
