Advocacy
Advocacy
The Student Advocate is here to give you advice about your situation, explain what your options are, and also help you navigate the university system.
If we cannot help with your situation, we can definitely put you in contact with someone who can.
Independent Advocacy Advice
As an employee of the UCSA, which is independent from the university, the Student Advocate is able to act on behalf of you, the student (something that UC staff are unable to do). The Student Advocate is able to assist you with a number of matters here at UC.
We can assist with:
- Academic Appeals
- Grievances, Complaints, Concerns
- Special Consideration Applications or Late Withdrawals
- Dispute Resolution
- Disciplinary Issues
The Student Advocate can:
- Provide confidential independent advice and support
- Assist you with drafting applications and letters
- Attend meetings with university staff with you
Applications to be a UCSA Help Volunteer in 2021 are now open!
The UCSA Help Volunteers are senior Law and Psychology students who have volunteered to be the first point of contact for students coming in to see the Advocacy and Welfare team with an issue.
Help Volunteers are trained in the art of client interviewing, and perform the initial interview when a student first comes in to see the Advocacy and Welfare team. They then deliver the relevant information from the student to the Advocacy and Welfare team, and may also be subsequently involved in the provision of advice back to the student, or the implementation of a UCSA welfare service.
Applicants to be a UCSA Help Volunteer must be:
- Senior Law or Psychology students at UC, in third year or higher of study in 2021;
- Of good standing in both character and academic ability;
- Able to attend compulsory training in February 2021, details TBC;
- Able to dedicate at least two hours per week during term time to UCSA Help; and
- Able to commit to at least one academic year as a UCSA Help Volunteer.
To apply, please complete the Help Volunteer Application form:
- UCSA HELP Application Form 2021 -
To find out more, or if you have any questions, please contact Nathan Simkiss at nathan.simkiss@ucsa.org.nz or (03) 369 0452.
Applications close at 5:00pm on Friday 15 January 2021.
How to get help:
Unfortunately we are not always available to accept drop-ins because of meetings or other work matters.
If you would like to guarantee a meeting time please fill in the intake form here:
Contact us:
The UCSA office is open Monday to Thursday 8:30am till 5:00pm, and Fridays 8:30am till 4:30pm.