The 2022 report from the Ombudsperson Office for Students showed an increase in visits across UBC’s campuses.
The Ombudsperson Office for Students offers educational resources and assistance to improve the student’s understanding of “UBC policy, procedures, practices and decisions." It is independent from the university.
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of cases has increased rapidly, with the office recording an all-time high of 685 visits in 2022. Between 2021 and 2022, there was an increase of 102 cases compared to the previous year, the most drastic surge in reports since 2009/10.
Shirley Nakata, the ombudsperson for students, attributed this rise to “greater awareness and understanding of the role of our office, more referrals from community members, as well as circumstances arising for students during the pandemic and in the year of transition back to campus.”
According to the report, UBC Vancouver saw 440 visits with 250 undergraduate students, 98 graduate students and other miscellaneous visitors. The number of graduate student was disproportionately large since graduate students are only 17 per cent of the student body.
Nakata explained graduate students' cases “tend to be more relational” than undergraduate ones.
On both campuses, the most prevalent concerns were academic and academic standing, followed by interpersonal conflicts. 108 out of 233 reports were academic standing-related in Vancouver. Out of 71 cases of interpersonal conflict, more than half were instructor-related. Misconduct concerns were largely academic in nature as well.
The bulk of the visitors had between one and five consultations to receive guidance and resolve concerns on how to proceed with their cases. Only 2 individuals had more than 15 consultations. For 256 cases, the action was taken through advice and information.
“[The caseload] increase is a positive sign, indicating both the value of our services and heightened student awareness of our office,” Nakata wrote.
In a Senate meeting, concerns were raised about the low visibility of the office.
Nakata wrote the office is currently targeting “direct delivery of services” and “systemic improvements.” However, due to the constraints of resources and high caseloads, they “can only invest in basic efforts for communication and promotion."
“My hope is that more students become aware of our office and access our services, if and when they require support,” wrote Nakata.
Nakata expressed gratitude for “the support and promotion from the VP Students portfolio” and other units, but highlighted the importance of the office remaining independent from the university.