Ombuds Office
Location: All meetings will be on Zoom.
Please use email or make an appointment to contact the ombuds office.
Email: ombuds@smc.edu
Ombudsperson Office Staff
Ombudsperson/Life Science Professor Sandra Hutchinson
Ombudsperson/Philosophy Professor Paul Klumpe
Ombudsperson/Life Science Professor Yvonne Ortega
4/10/26 is the last appointment day for potential Fall 2025 grade appeal due to Spring Break
5/14/26 is the last appointment day for potential Winter 2026 grade appeal
Grade appeal requests for Summer 2025 and prior are closed.
For your class of concern, please immediately download the syllabus, your most recent Canvas gradebook, and any relevant material such as assignment instructions and feedback, your submissions, etc. that you want to discuss with us.
Please note:
- If your course for grade appeal/consultation about a concern is in Life Sciences, please schedule with Prof. Klumpe.
- If your course for grade appeal/consultation about a concern is in Philosophy and Social Sciences, please schedule with Profs. Hutchinson or Ortega.
Important Dates
Fall 2025 Grade concerns: Meet with an ombudsperson before April 15, 2026 to file a grade appeal.
Winter 2026 Grade concerns: Meet with an ombudsperson before May 15, 2026 to file a grade appeal.
Spring 2026 Grade concerns: Meet with an ombudsperson before October 15, 2026 to file a grade appeal.
Summer 2026 Grade concerns: Meet with an ombudsperson before November 15, 2026 to file a grade appeal.
Grade appeal requests for Summer 2025 and prior are closed.
Plan Ahead for Closures
The office will be closed for the following upcoming holidays in 2026 (this list is updated to stay current throughout the semester):
| May 25, 2026 | - Memorial Day |
| June 19, 2026 | - Juneteenth Day |
| July 3. 2026 | - Independence Day |
| September 7, 2026 | - Labor Day |
| November 11, 2026 | - Veterans' Day |
| November 26, 2026 | - Thanksgiving Day |
| November 27, 2026 | - Native American Day |
Spring 2026 semester hours