Many major colleges and universities throughout the United States and Canada have a student ombudsman on campus. The ombudsman is generally responsible for assisting students with problems involving school rules, policies, and procedures. Most often, the ombudsman is another student, preferably a graduate student who knows and understands the functions of various offices and organizations on campus. Students are able to discuss matters confidentially, knowing that a student ombudsman will consider all sides in an impartial and objective way.