If you have a reason for not wanting to go through official channels, a talk with an Ombuds may help to identify alternative courses of action. For many problems, a normal procedure or route of appeal is set out in university policies and procedures. Academic advisors, department chairpersons, deans and directors are all, by virtue of their office, experts at handling specific types of problems, and should normally be consulted first. If you don't know whether there is a procedure that fits your situation, contact the Ombuds Office.

"Some examples might include: Students:  course and instructor issues; dispute with a university unit/staff person; referrals; conflict coaching/advice; policy consultation (i.e., grade appeal, academic misconduct, course repeat.); Faculty:  university policy consultation, work/department issues; consult regarding a student situation; Staff:  work issues; university policy consultation; referrals. Other examples: harassment and discrimination consultation; stalking consult; bullying in the workplace consult."