Fairness Day
Ever felt that you were not graded fairly in your courses? Or felt that you were not treated fairly by your professors or peers? Do you feel you were not given a fair chance to share your side of the story in a conflict? Being treated fairly is critical in preserving the integrity of university processes and procedures, as it directly affects the experience of students and all members of the university community.
The Office of the Student Ombuds (OSO) is a team of six ombudspersons (om.buhdz.pur.suhn - noun) who advocate for fairness.
FAIRNESS DAY ON CAMPUS
October 22, 2025
Natalie Sharpe, Director - Office of the Student Ombuds
The Office of the Student Ombuds advocates for fairness. Since our casework is confidential, it is important for us to find public ways to promote a better understanding of the value an ombuds brings to the University community.
Ombuds focus on a holistic perspective of fairness; for the past decade we have held a Fairness Day on the main floor of SUB to inform our community about what an ombuds does, and how our soft power of moral suasion can be of help. Being able to meet and build rapport with students helps to break down the barriers that many face in accessing our services.
Fairness Day is also an opportunity to connect with the Alberta Ombudsman who partner with us each year to enlighten the campus community on the myriad of ways that both of our services enhance accountability and fairness whether in government or university administration, by offering independent recommendations. We were honoured this year with a visit from Kevin Brezinski, Alberta Ombudsman and Public Interest Commissioner, with two of his staff, Victoria Ige-Onah and Marshel Sebastian.
The Alberta Ombudsman has a much broader scope with the power to independently investigate, make recommendations and educate Albertans, ensuring fair treatment in all government services. Similarly, the Office of the Student Ombuds, on a University-scale, advocates for procedural, substantive, relational and equitable fairness in all University processes.
Fairness Day allows students to ask questions and share some of their experiences and difficulties in navigating university processes. Students also learn about various aspects of fairness by participating in our activities such as the Fairness Game, and a new “Jeopardy-style” game created by intern Jada Rivas.
Intern Haeyeon Cho feels that the activities were a great way to interact with students and show how ombuds can help them navigate complex procedures. Senior staff, Remonia Stoddart-Morrison and Laurel Wilkie, believe that Fairness Day makes the ombuds more visible on campus, and our job is to make the campus fairer and more equitable.
We are therefore planning to hold a second Fairness Day in the winter at another campus location.
For more information on the work of the Office of the Student Ombuds, we have just published our annual report,“The Ombuds’ Way in Higher Education”, 2024-2025.
It's All About Fairness
- Procedural Fairness - Accessing prompt and unbiased assessment and having the opportunity to respond
- Substantive Fairness - Applying regulations consistently with comprehensive explanation of decisions
- Relational Fairness - Treating all individuals respectfully
- Equitable Fairness - Striving for inclusive decision processes