Public Stewardship

Description of Services

What the External Ombudsperson Does

Provides informal, confidential and neutral guidance to both internal and external constituents that are seeking to voice a complaint about the Maricopa Community College District
Outlines options for internal constituents on the proper process to address grievances or seek resolution.
Handles concerns with discretion.

Provides assistance upon request of a college or District official in that official's efforts to address a constituent's concerns.
Advocates on behalf of an individual constituent's concerns while still acting in deference to Maricopa's interest.
Search for a resolution to disputes and help resolve in conjunction with appropriate college or district designee.
Offer feedback and provide information and resources on policies, procedures and services
Protect the parties’ right to privacy.
Receives concerns from external constituents about some aspect of Maricopa's operations and forwards those concerns through the proper channels.
Upon request from an external constituent, provides information about-and assistance in construing-Maricopa policies, regulations and procedures.
Facilitates an external constituent's efforts to maneuver through what the constituent feels to be "bureaucratic red tape".
Inform the individual(s) initiating the complaint of the review’s outcome and may offer advice as to an appropriate course of action.
Attempt to guide parties toward options that are fair and conform to MCCCD policies.
Delivers to proper individuals at Maricopa trend information compiled in the study of a constituent concerns that serve to protect public resources or otherwise improve operations.

What the Ombudsperson Does Not Do

Serve as an office of notice on behalf of the institution.
Give legal advice or guidance.
Maintain permanent records regarding individual concerns or issues presented by constituents
Engage in lobbying activity of any kind.
Investigate any complaint for which either law or Maricopa policy already provides an adequate remedy.
Circumvent established processes for grievances that are outlined in employee job group policy manuals.
Make the final determination as to the resolution of a matter, or overturn decisions already made by the appropriate authority through the proper execution of established processes and procedures;
Resolve student complaints over grades.