Advocacy Service

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:
  • Unsatisfactory Progress Committee form
  • Student complaint letter
  • Response to allegation of academic misconduct letter
  • Special consideration application
  • Remission of debt (fee refund) application
• Upon request, help you discuss and resolve issues with your lecture/college 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 Advocates will:

• 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

• Academic Misconduct (including plagiarism)
• Graduate research student advocacy
• Academic progress (including Unsatisfactory Progress)
• Assessment issues
• Special consideration
• Remission of debt
• Appeals
• Problem with on-campus residential arrangements

Initial appointments are scheduled for one hour and we ask everyone to ensure they are on time or you risk losing your appointment time. Appointments are free, confidential and take place in a private office space. There may be one or more follow up appointments required, but this will be determined following your first consultation. 

Please ensure you bring: 

• Your student ID card 
• Bring all relevant correspondence and information (e.g. emails & letters) relating to your issue
• A friend or support person, if required