Ombudsman policy
to remain neutral
By Becky Drugman
Allan Dittmer cannot replace your mother, but if you
need someone to talk to, the UNL ombudsman is all ears.
Dittmer's door is open from 8 a.m. to 5 pjn. week
days, so students can go in to talk over problems. But un
like a mother, he will not take sides.
He said his policy is to remain neutral.
Dittmer and Marilyn Overcast, assistant ombudsman,
work together handling students' problems, faculty
members and administrators if they seek it, he said.
It is helpful to have the two of us work together, Ditt
mer said. It is nice to have a woman there, because she
often has a different insight into a problem, he said.
"This way, we work together and have two opinions on
a problem," he said.
But any problem discussed in the office remains con
fidential, Dittmer said. No action will be taken on an issue
until the person corning in for help gives the go-ahead, he
added.
One exception to this policy would be if a student
came in threatening to kill his algebra instructor. . ..
Legal questions
"In that case, I might do something," he said. "I might
warn the algebra instructor."
He said in many of the cases where a legal question
may play a part, the students will call on the telephone
and not identify themselves, he said.
If a student does come into the office with a legal
question, and needs advice, Overcast said they refer them
to legal aid services,
"Many times a student will come into the office with a
problem and all we have to do is listen," she said. VThey
end up talking themselves into a. solution. They just
needed someone to talk to."
Sometimes, students take too long' to come to the
office. They wait so long, it is often difficult to solve the
problem immediately, she said,
"We have traced people to different countries and dif
ferent states to solve a problem" she said, but it would be
easier if students with grade complaints would come right
in, she said.
Another common problem is students coming in after
deadlines have passed. If students wait until the day after
student fees are supposed to be in, it complicates the
problem more than if they would have come in a day be
fore the deadline.
Just numbers
Frequently students think they are just numbers, or
lost in the university, Dittmer said.
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Photo by Bob Pearson
Assistant ombudsman Marilyn Overcast
Surprisingly enough it is usually the students that have
been at the .university for two or three years that come
in and complain about this, he said.
Dittmer said many times students who have been here
for a white' think they should know more people and that
more people should know them. If this is not the case,
they feel badly. t
The large, unstructured classes also contribute to this
belief, Overcast said.
Dittmer said parents call and write letters concerning
their childrens' problems. A student who does not under
stand the legalities of a contract or document can contact
the ombudsmen. ,
The numbers of students using the ombudsman office
increases every year, Dittmer said. More than 800 came
in last year and they rarely need to return, he said.
Problem solvers
face the unusual
The absurd, completely unlikely problem of today
could be the pressing problem of tomorrow for any
UNL student, according to the campus's professional
problem solver.
Ombudsman Allan Dittmer said he thinks the nature '
of people makes unusual situations turn into problems
overnight.
An ombudsman, literally translated from the old
Norse "ombudsmadr", means agent or representative.
Dittmer said it is difficult to cite previous problems
encountered, even if a majority of students have ex
perienced them but he did mention two stories where
an ombudsman helped ease the situation.
The first dealt with a student calling about a di
ploma he received in the mail. The student was
enrolled in 12 hours of classes, which he thought he
needed to graduate.
He said he felt the diploma was not fair. He had
attended the 'university on and off for eight years
and the sudden diploma denied him the opportunity
to celebrate and get drunk. The student said it "was
like getting a Christmas present in July."
The ombudsman traced the students' record and
found the student had taken three courses during dif
ferent semesters and received incomplete grades. He
had no intention of completing the courses. Con
trary to normal procedure, all three instructors turn
ed in passing grades to the registrar's office.which made
the student eligible for graduation.
Dittmer said the solution was satisfactory to the
student, since his tuition for the courses he was enrolk
ed in was refunded.
Although Dittmer said he is not sure, it was assum
ed the student celebrated the event in the manner he
felt most befitting.
Dittmer told a tale about a snow job.
Dittmer said a group of students celebrating the first
snowfall started a snowball fight, the group grew and as
the snowball fight died down, it developed into a con
test to see who could roll the biggest one.
One group was so intent on the project, they failed
to realize they were coming to a steep hill. The ball,
rolled down the hill gaining speed and size.
The students watched the ball roll down the hill
finally crashing into , a Volkswagon parked oh. the
street. - . , ,,.
The car was flattened.
After mugh persuasion, Dittmer said he convinced
the owner to hold off on a lawsuit, while the students
raised money to pay for the damages. .
Isn't it time you came
t terms with your life?
(( J m . Who are you? And what control
do you have over your future?
You may find the answer to these
questions and many more by attending a
Life, Planning Workshop
Either Friday, Sept. 30 12-5
or Sat. Oct. 1, 12-5
Sign up at he Counseling Center, Seaton Hall
Or Call 472-3461 to register
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