Student Advocacy

We hope your time at GSA is a positive one. However we understand that some students will occasionally find themselves in difficult situations. If you want to raise a complaint (formal or informal) because of something that has happened at the school, or if find yourself involved in student conduct process, it can be daunting. The Student Engagement team can provide support for students undertaking these processes, as well as supporting students involved in academic appeals.  

Often students are referred to us by someone in GSA, such as one of the Student Welfare Advisors, a Sabbatical Officer or a member of teaching staff. Other times students contact the team directly. Sometimes we may be brought in during an informal process and asked to accompany a student to a meeting, for example before a formal process has started.  

We advise students involved in an academic appeal, disciplinary or complaints process to contact us at an early stage, but can support you at any stage during the process you are involved with. However or whenever you contact us, we are independent from GSA and our role is to advocate for you with the School. 

The Student Engagement Team can support you through complaints and disciplinary proceedings by explaining processes and what to expect; helping you to fill out forms and submit supporting evidence; advising you on courses of action; accompanying you to meetings with relevant staff or with a complaints or disciplinary investigator; following up with you to help you understand the outcomes of complaints and disciplinary processes and to help you understand your next steps if necessary.  

If you think you would like our support, then please do not hesitate to get in touch. 

Confidentiality  

We take your confidentiality very seriously, and won’t share your case with anyone outside the Student Engagement Team. We may share information between team members for the purposes of managing caseload and conflicts of interest.  

Email Choterina Freer for more information about advocacy at GSASA.