ENOHE ANNUAL CONFERENCE INNSBRUCK, TYROL, AUSTRIA May 30, 2015

University Ombuds Offices: Independent organizations created by the University Boards.

University Ombuds Offices General Principles: 1. Confidentiality 2. Impartiality 3. Independence 4. Autonomy

University Ombuds Offices Duties:  Preserving the University legal system  Protecting the rights of the University communities  Promoting a culture of respect for Human Rights and its non-binding recommendations

Question: What is our priority?

 Answer: “Helping students succeed”  Our priority are the students… What is their agenda? (in the case of Mexico)

 EMPLOYMENT:  HEALTH (Reproductive rights)  FREE OF VIOLENCE:

+ No Discrimination + Gender Equality + No Violence + Pressure groups within Universities + Alcohol and drugs + Environment + Access to new information technologies + Work opportunities

Characteristics:  Independence  Flexible procedures, not formal (rigid)  Respect for confidentiality  Impartiality in its resolutions  Transparency and accountability  Based on respect for Human Rights  Promoting a civil culture for Human Rights.

Tolerance and Respect No Discrimination CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM IN MEXICO ON JUNE 2011 HUMANS RIGHTS

The Constitutional Reform for Human Rights of June 11, 2011, in Mexico strengthens the University Ombuds Offices

Our Current Mandate: Objective: Defense of the university community rights Solving problems: Complying with the University rules; solving individual problems. Our goal: Identifying and solving problems within the University

 To respond to the agenda of the students  Assist the students with their problems  Discussion about the extension of the duties  Promotion of the University Ombuds offices at a National level National level

University students have great expectations of their institutions Universities must cope with actual challenges Universities must offer an inclusive environment to meet the needs of our diverse academic communities

UNIVERSITIES IN THE XXI CENTURY The global context will enable us to offer quality higher education,( ACCORDING TO THE REGIONAL NEEDS ) to be at the cutting edge of the various disciplines, and to achieve excellence in research

As agreed upon at the 11th ENOHE Annual Conference in Warsaw, Poland on May 17, 2014 …………………..(in Spain from 1985 onwards, and, most recently in Norway since 2013), the following recommendations are issued as agreed upon at the 11th ENOHE Annual Conference in Warsaw on May 17, 2014: · National laws regulating universities and other higher education institutions within the European Higher Education Area should stipulate the importance of the creation of independent ombudsmen or ombudsman-type offices to handle issues and concerns. They should have the necessary authority in their fields and autonomy (i.e. their offices should be free from instructions and orders from other organs or authorities within their institutions) - in order to improve relations between the student body, academic and administrative organs as well as their staff, officers and representatives, within and outside the academic sphere.

In addition, the institutionalized communication between the student body and the aforementioned organs should be improved and facilitated by these ombudsmen - in order to safeguard the rights of the students and all other members of the university community when handling complaints and problems which may arise from deficiencies in the daily work of universities and other higher education institutions.

Is it possible to improve the quality of the higher education through the ombuds offices?

Yes it is possible…. 1.- Suggesting reforms and changes to the legal framework and procedures to improve the regulations and their application by officers and representatives. 1.- Suggesting reforms and changes to the legal framework and procedures to improve the regulations and their application by officers and representatives. 2.- Applying at the Ombuds offices the International Human Rights Law 3.- Supporting and spreading the work of the Ombuds office in the community

The ombuds offices gives shape to university rights To provide quality education, the universities must absolutely have a legal framework to ensure that rules and regulations are complied with. The presence of the ombuds offices takes on particular importance.

Keeping in mind three fundamental focal points: 1. Defend and Protect Human Rights 2. Awareness and Education 3. Improving institutional and administration procedures and decisions.

CHALLENGE: CHALLENGE: To stimulate the interest of our university community in knowing, enhancing, and complying with university rules. To stimulate the interest of our university community in knowing, enhancing, and complying with university rules.

 International Cooperation: A factor for mutual growth and enrichment  Dialogue among university partners enriches academic relations. Exchanging ideas helps to strengthen our work.

Patricia Begné University of Guanajuato Mexico. Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria. May 30, 2015