Ombuds Manual
A Manual for the Ombudsperson
University of Toronto Engineering Society

Last Revision: April 30, 2026

Contents

For a list of all Bylaws and Policies, see the index.

For Candidates Summary and Structure Manual of Responsibilities

For Candidates #

0.0 # Role Summary

  1. 0.0.1 # The Ombudsperson is a Neutral Officer chiefly responsible for the investigation of complaints against EngSoc roles, but also for running the Census, enforcing training requirements, and other impartial duties.

0.1 # General Responsibilities

  1. 0.1.1 # The Ombudsperson receives all formal complaints (except against themself) and investigates most of them in accordance with the Policy on Complaints.
  2. 0.1.2 # The Ombudsperson hosts the Fall and Spring EngSoc Meet & Greet events to allow Members to familiarize themselves with EngSoc and its roles.
  3. 0.1.3 # The Ombudsperson runs the Skule™ Census annually and reports to the Board of Directors on its results.
  4. 0.1.4 # The Ombudsperson has other responsibilities listed in Chapter 2 of this Manual.

0.2 # Required Qualifications

  1. 0.2.1 # The Ombudsperson must be impartial in all aspects of the role.

0.3 # Useful Qualifications

  1. 0.3.1 # Skills and/or experience in the following are beneficial for the Ombudsperson to have:
    1. 0.3.1.a # Dispute resolution
    2. 0.3.1.b # Research, especially surveying a population
    3. 0.3.1.c # Investigation and fact-finding
  2. 0.3.2 # Knowledge of the workings of the Engineering Society is an asset.

0.4 # Role Takeaways

  1. 0.4.1 # An Ombudsperson missing qualifications listed in section 0.3 may gain them by exercising the role.
  2. 0.4.2 # The Ombudsperson role is useful experience for a prospective candidate for Speaker of the Board to have.

Summary and Structure #

1.0 # Role Summary

  1. 1.0.1 # The Ombudsperson is an impartial role, defined in Bylaw 2 section 3.2, chiefly responsible for the investigation of complaints against EngSoc roles, but also for other miscellaneous tasks demanding neutrality and impartiality.

1.1 # Transition

  1. 1.1.1 # The Ombudsperson shall transition their successor as described in the Transition Policy.

1.2 # Executive Structure

  1. 1.2.1 # The Ombudsperson does not typically have executives.

1.3 # Executive Responsibilities

  1. 1.3.1 # All responsibilities of the role fall on the Ombudsperson.

1.4 # Reporting Structure

  1. 1.4.1 # The Ombudsperson is overseen by the Speaker of the Board of Directors.

Manual of Responsibilities #

2.0 # Ongoing Responsibilities

  1. 2.0.1 # The Ombudsperson receives all formal complaints (except against themself) and, upon receipt, either investigates them or forwards them to the correct investigator, as described in the Policy on Complaints.
    1. 2.0.1.a # When unable to investigate a complaint themself, the Ombudsperson delegates it to the Speaker.
  2. 2.0.2 # The Ombudsperson surveys Members upon direction of the Board or at their discretion on request.

2.1 # Time-fixed Responsibilities

  1. 2.1.1 # Before November of their term, the Ombudsperson shall complete a form of Equity Training and Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Training and ensure that the following roles have done the same:
    1. 2.1.1.a # EngSoc Officers
    2. 2.1.1.b # Speaker of the Board
    3. 2.1.1.c # Suds Managers
    4. 2.1.1.d # Cannonball Director
    5. 2.1.1.e # Gradball Director
    6. 2.1.1.f # Mental Wellness Director
    7. 2.1.1.g # Equity and Inclusivity Director
  2. 2.1.2 # In November of their term, the Ombudsperson submits motions to recall any role-holders listed above which have not completed their mandatory training.
  3. 2.1.3 # In November of their term or thereabouts, the Ombudsperson holds the Fall EngSoc Meet & Greet.
  4. 2.1.4 # Before the February Policy and Structures Committee meeting in their term, the Ombudsperson reviews the Policy on Complaints and this Manual with the Speaker and submits any updates to the Committee for comment before adopting them in accordance with Bylaw 1 section 7.5.4.d.
  5. 2.1.5 # In March of their term or thereabouts, the Ombudsperson holds the Spring EngSoc Meet & Greet.
  6. 2.1.6 # In March of their term, the Ombudsperson creates and distributes the Skule Census.
  7. 2.1.7 # In April of their term, the Ombudsperson reports to the Board the results of the Skule Census and any other issues they identified that year.