Webinar – Social Media, Ombuds Offices and Confidentiality: Friends or Foes?

Higher Education Ombuds Offices are low threshold institutions easily to be contacted by members of the academic community, in most cases by students, if they have issues or problems which they (think) they cannot address to any other internal facilities.

Formal treatment of cases can be tedious and may not help in the individual situation, which sometimes needs quick responses and/or reactions. In special situations, cases might get out of hand, if details are – on purpose – made public by complainants / visitors themselves either via social media or by launched press stories.

Social media per definition allow the creation or sharing / exchange of information, ideas, career interests, and other forms of expression via virtual communities and networks, but they can also transport fake news and misinformation.

Confidentiality as one of the key features of the working principles of Ombuds Offices does require their employees to neither share information with third parties nor, let alone, contact the media directly. However, what if YOU are contacted by the media, probably because details on a case have already started circulating on the web?

Another side of social media is actually if, and if so, why Ombuds Offices are or are not using or should or should not use them. Four renowned experts within their fields and within their respective environments are going to speak about their personal experiences and want to share them with webinar participants.

Speakers:

• Lies Poesiat, Ombudswoman, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• Barry McHale, Student Liaison Officer, Office of the Independent Adjudicator, United Kingdom
• Ryan Smith, Assistant University Ombudsperson, Office of the University Ombudsperson, Michigan State University, USA
• Jorge António Ribeiro Pereira, Provedor do Estudante, Universidade da Beira Interior, Portugal

Chair:

• Jean Grier, ENOHE Vice President, Scotland

Participation:

Participation is free of charge.

You just need to fill out the registration form here.