Office of the University Ombudsperson

Graduate Program Handbook Review Services

As part of our commitment to fostering clarity, equity, and student success, the Office of the Ombudsperson offers Graduate Program Handbook Review Services for academic units. This service is designed to ensure that graduate handbooks are:

• Clear and Accessible: Policies and processes are easy to locate, understand, and follow.
• Inclusive and Equitable: Language and policies reflect the diverse needs of all students.
• Aligned with Best Practices: Consistent with university standards, academic policies, and grievance procedures.

Our team provides comprehensive reviews using a detail rubric to assess key areas such as accessibility, policy clarity, equity and inclusion, academic progression, and student resources. We offer constructive feedback tailored to your program's specific goals and needs.

How It Works

1. Submit Your Handbook: Academic units can request a review by submitting their handbook in PDF or Word format.
2. Detailed Assessment: Our team will review the document using our rubric and provide specific, actionable recommendations.
3. Follow-Up Consultation: We offer optional follow-up meetings to discuss the feedback and suggest strategies for implementation.

Request a Review

To request a handbook review or learn more about this service, contact our office at ombuds@msu.edu or (517) 353-8830.

This initiative is part of our broader efforts to support transparency, accountability, and academic excellence across campus.

Systemic Feedback

As part of our commitment to advancing positive change and supporting a fair and effective university environment, the Office of the University Ombudsperson provides systemic feedback to university leaders, administration, and others in positions of influence. This feedback is a key aspect of our role in identifying and addressing patters or systemic issues that affect the broader campus community. By offering insights into recurring concerns, policies, or practices, we help promote institutional improvements that support fairness, transparency, and accountability.

We ensure that feedback is shared in a way that uphold the confidentiality and anonymity of visitors, unless they request to be identified or there is an imminent risk of serious harm. This approach allows us to contribute to meaningful, lasting change while maintaining the trust of those we serve.

For more information about our systemic feedback process, of if you would like to discuss how we can support your unit or department, please contact us at ombuds@msu.edu or (517) 353-8830.