Student Advocacy

La Trobe Student Union offers a Student Advocacy service which assists students on a range of academic, administrative and welfare related issues. Student Advocacy is available to all La Trobe students and is FREE, CONFIDENTIAL,  INDEPENDENT and   PROFESSIONAL.

What is Student Advocacy?
Who are the La Trobe Student Union Advocates?
How can the Student Advocacy service help me?
What to bring when meeting with a Student Advocate?
Common Student Advocacy Issues
Postgraduate Advocacy

To arrange an appointment or to discuss an issue with a Student Advocate, please contact:
Melbourne (Bundoora) campus
ltsu_advocacy@latrobe.edu.au
T: (03) 9479 2314
Located: Student Union Offices, Upper West Agora (Level 2, behind the Student Lounge)
www.latrobesu.org.au

When attending an Advocacy appointment please fill out the LTSU Advocacy Form

What is Student Advocacy?
Student Advocacy is the process of helping a student or a group of students who require support to address an academic, administration or welfare related issue. Student Advocacy operates independently to the University which means that Student Advocates can assist students without bias or influence from the University. The service is also confidential, professional and free. Student Advocacy is here for you, the student.

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Who are the La Trobe Student Union Advocates?
La Trobe Student Union employ three Advocates who will listen to your issue and provide unbiased, timely and considered advice on the best way to resolve it. The LTSU Student Advocates have many years of experience working for students at Universities. The Student Advocates are independent to the University – which means they are the ideal service to help you to resolve your issue.

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How can the Student Advocacy service help me?

Student Advocates can;

• Listen to your issue and explain what your options are
• Inform you of your rights and responsibilities
• Explain and help you understand La Trobe’s policies and procedures
• Encourage you to act in your own interests or where appropriate, act on your behalf in pursuit of your interests
• Assist you to present your case in writing and/or verbally for example:   

• Upon request, help you discuss and resolve issues with your lecturer/faculty administration about your course
• Help you understand the processes for complaints and grievances
• Support you through the process of lodging a complaint of harrassment or discrimination
• Attend University hearings and meetings with you
• Provide you with information on other services available to you at La Trobe and refer you to outside bodies where appropriate

Student Advocacy wil:

• Act in good faith
• Attempt to reach informal outcomes before proceeding to formal processes
• Maintain your confidentiality and information privacy in accordance with privacy and health records legistation

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 What to bring when meeting with a Student Advocate?

• Bring your student ID card
• Consider what outcome you are seeking
• Bring a completed LTSU Advocacy Form
• Bring any/all correspondence and information (e.g. emails & letters) relating to your issue
• Make an appointment as soon as you realise there is a problem - La Trobe University has very strict time lines for resolving issues. Once this time has passed it is very difficult for a Student Advocate to assist  you.
• Initial appointments are scheduled for one hour. Appointments are free, confidential and take place in a comfortable, private office space. There may be one or more follow up appointments with your Student Advocate. 

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Common Student Advocacy Issues

• Responding to a Faculty’s request to Show Cause (See below for process)
• Special Consideration
• Academic Misconduct (including plagiarism)
• Complaints/Grievances
• Appeals
• Review of assessment mark (See below for process)
• Problems with higher degrees research supervisor or research timeline
• Problem with on-campus residential arrangements

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**Show Cause:** Writing a Show Cause letter requires you to really think about your circumstances and to seek out the appropriate actions to improve your situation. It can sometimes be difficult to put your circumstances into words and to know what is important to include. Click here for a comprehensive Help Guide which provides excellent advice on how you might improve your circumstances and clear instructions on preparing a good Show Cause letter. Sample letter included.

**Review of Mark** - Students are entitled to request a review and subsequent re-mark of marked individual assessment pieces. There are, however, specific steps to follow which include strict deadlines. For more information about the correct process Click here