Student rights and responsibilities

The UCSA Advocacy and Welfare team (A&W) provides students with assistance, information, referrals, and support on a range of academic and personal matters.

The UCSA Advocacy and Welfare Team (A&W) provides an independent service, and students who access the service have a number of rights and responsibilities.

You have the right to:

• A safe, supportive, and confidential meeting space to discuss your circumstances and concerns.
• Professional, courteous, and respectful interactions with experienced staff regardless of age, cultural and linguistic background, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, and religious or spiritual beliefs.
• Access objective advice and information.
• Timely response (within 2 working days).
• Confidentiality and privacy of your personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act (2020).
• Advocacy support at a University of Canterbury hearing.
• Your personal information.
• Make a complaint about the service and expect that this complaint will be investigated appropriately, and the outcome communicated to you.
• Provide feedback regarding our service.

You have the responsibility to:

• Ensure that you attend any appointments on time. Contact us as soon as possible if you need to change an appointment time or are running late. If you are more than 15 minutes late, we may need to reschedule your appointment.
• Ensure you are not under the influence of drugs or alcohol during appointments.
• Ensure you are respectful of others, including A&W and UCSA staff, UC students and UC staff. UCSA has a Zero Tolerance of Violent Aggressive and Anti-social Behaviours Policy.
• Respect UCSA property.
• Provide us with relevant information regarding any special needs / access requirements.
• Provide accurate information and documentation in order for us to provide the best advice, referral, and service.
• Provide true and accurate relevant information.
• Ensure that you do not withhold information which could have a material bearing on your case.
• Commit to and undertake any agreed actions / tasks suggested by A&W staff in a timely manner, such as scheduling an appointment with UC support staff, writing a letter, sourcing documents, or communicating with University staff.
• Provide additional information / documents if requested by A&W staff, in a timely fashion, so we can assist you to the best of our ability.
• Inform us of any developments in your situation as soon as possible, such as providing us with further relevant correspondences received (preferably via email and including any relevant attachments).