New Student Ombud: – Don't hesitate to get in touch!

Tekst: Per Straume , Foto: HVO / Karl August Swanstrøm

31. august 2022 - Oppdatert 05. september 2022

Do you have questions about what rights you have as a student, you disagree with an exam result or experience harassment at Volda University College (HVO)? Then the new Student Ombud Gøril Hillersøy is ready to help you.

– I love visits and phone calls, beams Gøril Hillersøy when she visits the University College in Volda for the first time.

She stands out as professionally strong, very sociable and a person with a big heart for people. Hillersøy cares.

– The professional reason why I applied for the position was the job I get of safeguarding the legal security of a group of people. It is incredibly meaningful, says Hillersøy, who is a legal educated.

What can you get help with?

The Student Ombud can not be a part to a case between the student and the university, only be an adviser to the student. This means that the Student Ombud cannot write a letter or a complaint to the university on behalf of one or several students. The Student Ombud must be independent of the university and vice versa.

– I can help the students on their way and assess whether they are being treated correctly and make it clear what rights they have, says Hillersøy.

She mentions typical challenges students can come to her with; demands for accommodation, complaints about exam assessment and various forms of harassment.

– It's just to ask about other things as well. If I can't help, I will try to find the right person.

The Student Ombud has a duty of confidentiality.

Will be in Volda

The Student Ombud is a joint collaboration between Western Norway University of Applied Sciences and HVO, where 20 percent of the positions fell to HVO.

She is excited about how the working day will be, but is happy that she has already received cases from students to work on.

– In the beginning, most things are new, so then the first priority is to deal with the cases that come up. When I have been at work for a while, I invest in getting a routine where I want to be in Volda at fixed times.