What is the PGSC Ombuddy?
The Ombuddy is a confidential and non-judgmental peer support for Psychology graduate students. The Ombuddy is a senior student in the Department who is knowledgable of Departmental, FGS, and University policies and resources, as well as resources available in the community. All graduate students in Psychology can use the Ombuddy as a resource for academic or department-related concerns, small or big! The Ombuddy does not act for students, but will be there with students at their request. The Ombuddy can empower students with relevant policy information and resources, provide social support or referrals, and/or act as a sounding board to help students determine a course of action or what next steps are right for them.
What does the Ombuddy do?
The Ombuddy meets with students to receive students’ concerns, listens actively to provide non-judgmental peer support, and provides referrals if necessary. For some students who are navigating sticky situations, simply meeting to talk with the Ombuddy is enough, sometimes to validate their concerns or to help decide on a preferred course of action for the student to take.
The Ombuddy can also support students more actively when requested to do so. The Ombuddy can attend meetings with students as a peer support or a witness, which some students find very helpful, especially if they’d like to debrief afterward or have notes recorded.
The Ombuddy can also provide referrals and set up meetings or appointments with students and other resources. For example, the Ombuddy liaises with the UVic Ombudsperson, and can directly refer students who wish to bring their issue to an impartial and independent office.
What can I talk to the Ombuddy about?
Psychology graduate students can talk to the Ombuddy about almost any concern that’s related to their academic experience, small or big! Some examples include tensions with supervisors, academic issues, the graduate student community and working environment, and experiencing or witnessing instances of discrimination or harassment*. The Ombuddy can simply be a first stop for students who have an issue but don’t know where they’re supposed to go or who they’re supposed to talk to.
* Please note: The Ombuddy is a volunteer peer supporter and member of the PGSC, and as such is not associated with any University office. Any disclosures related to discrimination or harassment made to the Ombuddy do not constitute disclosures to the University. The Ombuddy will not act on students’ behalf and will not share any information students bring forward, but may be required to liaise with the Equity and Human Rights Office (EQHR) and/or the Sexualized Violence Resource Office (SVRO) under certain circumstances. All students who meet with the Ombuddy are informed in full of the Ombuddy’s limits to confidentiality at the outset of each intake meeting.
What is the benefit of reaching out to the Ombuddy?
Even for things that feel small, it is useful to talk to someone and receive support. Because the Ombuddy is a senior student, they can provide reassurance and validation for all the challenging aspects of graduate school. Talking to the Ombuddy can help to minimize imposter syndrome! What may seem small at the start can sometimes balloon, and reaching out for support early is never a bad thing!
For things that feel big, having a confidential witness can be very beneficial, especially if University policies are invoked or if you will be meeting with the Graduate Advisor, Department Chair, FGS Deans or with EQHR. In these situations, the Ombuddy can be there as a second set of eyes and ears, and follow the student’s direction to provide whatever support is requested.
How do I contact the Ombuddy?
You can reach out to the Ombuddy by using the Contact Form to request a meeting that is linked at the bottom of this page. If you are experiencing issues with the form, you can also email directly at ombuddy.pgsc.uvic@gmail.com.
Please allow 24-48 hours for the Ombuddy to reply to you.
If you are experiencing a crisis and need immediate support, please contact Vancouver Island Crisis Line: 1-888-494-3888 or visit our [Resources Pages] for more information.