Student Ombudsperson

FAQ: How do I get in touch with the Student Ombudsperson?

On this page you will learn:

1. Who is the Ombudsperson
2. What can the Ombudsperson help me with
3. How do I file an appeal
4. What happens after I file an appeal
5. If my communication with the Ombudsperson stay confidential
6. Who decides who the Ombudsperson will be

1. Who is the Ombudsperson?

The Student Ombudsperson at the Faculty of Arts of the Comenius University Bratislava acts in defence of academic and other rights of students. The creation of the position of the Student Ombudsperson was initiated by the Student Chamber of the Academic Senate of the Faculty. The Student Chamber selects and proposes a candidate for the Ombudsperson to the Dean. In the period from 28 February 2024 to 31 August 2025, the position is held by Bc. Simona Kutná, a student of psychology at the Faculty.

2. What can the Ombudsperson help me with?

The Student Ombudsperson handles appeals concerning, but not limited to:

• injustice, discrimination, bullying, unequal treatment or other improper conduct against the student in relation to his studies, including assessment of student’s work,
• injustice, discrimination, bullying, unequal treatment or other improper conduct against the student by a member of Faculty or a Faculty body in relation to the administrative procedures
• inaction, delay in proceedings, violation of regulations, or other similar conduct by Faculty bodies or Faculty staff in dealing with a student’s complaint or appeal,
• systemic deficiencies causing eliminable impediments to studies at the Faculty.

If the appeal falls within the competence of another body of the Faculty or the University, the Student Ombudsperson will recommend you further steps and can provide assistance to you.

3. How to make an appeal?

You can send an appeal to the Ombudsperson from your student email address (ending with @uniba.sk) to fif.ombudsmanuniba.sk. The appeal must include a description of the violation of your rights and identification of the staff member who is alleged to have caused the violation. The description must be factual, unambiguous, and supported by evidence. The evidence is a required part of the appeal.
You can also use the Registry of the Faculty (by post or in person) to file your appeal.

4. What happens after I file an appeal?

Within 7 days after you file an appeal, the Ombudsperson will confirm its reception. The Ombudsperson may consult with you on the next steps while handling your appeal.

The Ombudsperson will inform you in writing about their decision. The deadline for this is within 30 days after the reception of the appeal, or 60 days in more complex cases.

5. Will my communication with the Ombudsperson stay confidential?

The Ombudsperson is obliged to treat your appeal and all its attachments as confidential and he must not disclose it to third parties, even after leaving the office.

The confidentiality of the matter may only be breached with your written consent. This can be helpful in case of cooperating with other faculty bodies while handling the appeal.

You must not be penalized, disadvantaged, or otherwise restricted in any way in your rights for filing an appeal to the Ombudsperson. This is guaranteed by internal legislation of the Faculty.

6. Who decides who the Ombudsperson will be?

The Ombudsperson is appointed and dismissed by the Dean of the Faculty on the proposal of the Student Chamber of the Senate of the Faculty of Arts. The proposal for the appointment of the Ombudsperson is adopted by the majority vote of all members of the Student Chamber of the Senate of the Faculty of Arts. The current Ombudsperson was chosen a committee appointed by the Student Chamber of the Senate through a transparent two-round open competition with public hearings.

More information can be found in the Statute of the Student Ombudsperson (in Slovak)