As an independent, impartial, and autonomous party, the ombuds officer contributes to a healthy and safe working and learning environment within the university. You can contact the ombuds officer with questions, dilemmas, or conflicts in the workplace or within your study programme.
Both students and staff can approach the ombuds officer with issues or concerns related to studying or working at EUR. The support offered by the ombuds officer may include, for example, an in-depth conversation, advice, referral, mediation, or the initiation of an independent investigation. The ombuds officer remains impartial and ensures that all contact is treated confidentially.
The ombuds officer operates independently, impartially, and confidentially. They may initiate an investigation and can advise the Executive Board on structural issues and misconduct within the university when recurring patterns are identified.
Staff and students can contact the ombuds officer if they need advice, mediation, or possibly an investigation in relation to their work or studies. This may involve issues such as interpersonal collaboration problems, workplace conflicts, or situations where undesirable behaviour has become structural and prolonged.
Please note that any form of undesirable behaviour is not tolerated at EUR. In such cases, staff and students are initially encouraged to contact one of the confidential advisors.
- Advising groups and/or individual staff and students on the issue, dilemma, or conflict presented.
- Adequate referral to the appropriate support facilities (including Safe@EUR, confidential counsellors, study advisors and the PhD psychologist), primarily within EUR, but externally if needed.
- Mediating and bringing parties back into discussion within appropriate organisational structures.
- Conducting (formal) investigations and making recommendations based on the findings.
- Identifying and addressing the institutional culture regarding behaviour, fostering dialogue, and advising the Executive Board on improvements.
- Preparing an annual report for the Executive Board, the University Council, and the Erasmus Labour Council (ELC).
Wico Verbaan
Wico Verbaan has supported organizations across various sectors in different roles. He has been involved in — or has led — numerous investigations and advisory processes related to criminal offenses such as fraud, corruption, money laundering, violations of (internal) regulations, (sexual) harassment, other forms of inappropriate behaviour, and reports under whistleblower policies.
Aukje Verstegen
As ombuds officer, Aukje aims to contribute to enhancing both social and psychological safety within the university. With a background as a social worker, complaints coordinator, and legal expert within the (Dutch) government, she has gained extensive experience in conflict resolution. Aukje is a registered MfN mediator and also serves as ombuds officer at Radboud University.
Downloads
Download the EUR Ombuds Officer Regulations and the annual reports of this service.
Our Ombuds officers
Wico VerbaanOmbuds officer
RoomM6-14Building
Aukje VerstegenOmbuds officer
RoomM6-14Building
Contact us
- Email address
- ombudsofficer@eur.nl
- Room
- M6-14
- Space
- Van der Goot Building
If you would like to get in touch with an ombuds officer, you can send us an email. We will contact you as soon as possible to discuss appropriate next steps.