A division of Student Affairs, Student Advocacy is a resource created to help students and potential students solve college-related problems by providing individual attention to each issue. It is important that these problems be handled in a direct, expeditious, and friendly manner. If a student has tried without success to resolve a problem on campus, it’s time to give me a call.
Role of the Student Advocate
- LISTENING to the needs and concerns of the student, potential student, and support system
- EDUCATING the students on college policies and procedures spotlight on students
- COMMUNICATING with the students to assist in devising a solution or strategy to the problem(s) or finding alternatives
- GATHERING information and making inquiries in cooperation with the student
- REFERRING the students to the appropriate office or person, or contacting the office or person on the student’s behalf
- FOLLOWING up with the student to be sure the situation is resolved, the question is answered, or (s)he has made the necessary contact
- RECOMMENDING process or procedural improvements when necessary
How Student Advocates Help
A Student Advocate could assist with a variety of things including ADA accommodations, connection to campus resources, help with the resolution of an issue on campus, or any issue that arises and you are just not certain on who to turn to for help.
How to Register with the Office of Student Advocacy and Request Accommodations
Complete the Request for ADA Accommodations (click here) form and submit documentation.
Administrative Grievances
From time to time students may have questions and/or concerns regarding administrative policies or operations. These questions may involve areas such as financial aid, housing, or student life. Generally, there are logical explanations for situations, and usually, most questions can be resolved in an informal manner through discussion with the individual or office involved. In instances where a student raises a question about a non-academic policy or decision (academic matters fall under the Academic Grievance policy), the affected staff member should respond constructively, explaining the situation as carefully as possible and checking to be sure that no error has been made.
If it is not possible to resolve a matter through discussion, a student may appeal for further consideration by voicing the concern to the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs (VPSA). Again, in most instances, concerns can be resolved through discussion, interaction and possibly intervention on behalf of the VPSA, but when this is not possible, the student can formalize his appeal in writing to the VPSA and ask for consideration by the Student Conduct Committee to resolve the matter officially. This policy is intended to ensure that the student is given fair and equitable consideration in any matter that may arise and complies with state and federal regulations.
Contact the Office of Student Advocacy
Frequently Asked Questions
Reasonable accommodations are provided by the college at no cost to the student.
No. You only need to request accommodations if you want to use them in your studies. Accommodations will not be suggested or offered unless you identify yourself as a student with a disability and requesting them.
You will need to complete the Request for ADA Accommodations (click here) form and submit documentation.
At the beginning of every semester, you will need to request your letters through the Office of Student Advocacy. Accommodation letters will be emailed to you (and printed at your request) and you are encouraged to set up an appointment with each of your professors to discuss the specifics of your accommodations. The letter will not state your disability.
Some professors might but they are not required to. In fact, they are not obligated to provide accommodations unless they receive the accommodation letter from the Office of Student Advocacy.
No. It is the student’s responsibility to determine whether or not a disability is present. The law does not require the university to identify and evaluate students who may have disabilities.
It is the student’s responsibility to obtain medical documentation needed for registering with the Office of Student Advocacy.
Textbook publishers require that the student purchase the print version of the textbook in order to obtain a free electronic text copy of the book. This is done to protect the publisher’s and author’s copyright interests. If you need to use an audio version of a textbook, it is recommended that you make that request as soon as you know what text is needed. It may take a few weeks to receive audio books from the publisher.
No. Universities are not required to administer retroactive accommodations. Students must inform the university of their disability in order to receive accommodations.
Accommodations are not meant to make courses easier. You are still required to do the same work as your peers and to submit college-level work. What accommodations do is level the playing field and gives a student with a disability the same opportunity to demonstrate his or her own knowledge as his or her non-disabled peers. Accommodations guarantee equal ACCESS not SUCCESS.
Students with disabilities who need special housing accommodations should contact Will Atkinson, Director of Retention and Student Advocacy, at watkinson@uwa.edu. While there is not a specific deadline, current and transfer students are encouraged to contact Will Atkinson by March 1st for the following Fall semester. Incoming freshmen should contact Will by June 1st. For other semesters, it is recommended that Will be contacted at least two months prior to the beginning of the semester.