Student Advocacy Office

The Student Advocacy Office was created in fall of 2011 as an office that is housed in the Executive branch of the Georgetown University Students Association. It serves as a resource to students by:

  • Helping students understand the Student Code of Conduct and navigate the university disciplinary system
  • Educating students about the rights afforded to them by the Student Code of Conduct and Georgetown University
  • Advocating for changes to the Student Code of Conduct, ensuring that individual rights are protected

The Student Advocacy Office holds regular Office Hours in the GUSA Office, located in Sellinger Lounge in Leavey Center. Come visit us during our office hours Monday – Friday from 1-5pm.

Looking forward to meeting you, and working on your behalf!

-Benjamin Manzione and Ryan Shymansky, SAO Co-Directors

 

Our Services

Help students navigate the university adjudication system through free and confidential advising.
• Student Advocates can:
o Assist students with individual cases by providing confidential advice on their specific case, giving students a better understanding of the implications of their charges and potential sanctions
o Explain the disciplinary process and how it works
o Assist students in preparation for their disciplinary meetings
o Accompany students to their disciplinary meetings at the request of the student, in order to ensure their rights are protected
o Assist students with writing an appeal

Educating students about the rights afforded to them by the Student Code of Conduct and the University
• The SAO acts as a resource center for student rights. It is the first place students can go to for information about their rights as students of Georgetown University.
• The SAO publishes a variety of pamphlets and guides to help students learn about their rights. Check out our resource guide.

Advocate for changes to the Student Code of Conduct
• Student Advocates work to promote measures that ensure that students rights remain protected
• The SAO advocates for changes to the Student Code of Conduct that help improve the status of students’ rights on-campus and off-campus. For instance, the SAO helped lead the campaign that resulted in raising the evidentiary standard from “more-likely-than-not” to “clear-and-convincing.”

 

Students’ Rights Pamphlets

Download PDF Pamphlet about Students’ Rights On Campus

Download PDF Pamphlet about Students’ Rights Off Campus

 

Resource Guide

Student Advocacy Office: GUSA office, M-F 1:00-5:00pm

  • Will help students navigate the university adjudication system through free and confidential advising

Campus Police: Department of Public Safety, Village C West, (202)687-4343

Georgetown Emergency Response Medical Service (GERMS): (202)687-HELP or (202)687-4357

  • A student-run, volunteer emergency ambulance service
  • Equipped to offer basic life support services, including early defibrillation via AED, with advanced life support assistance available from DC Fire & EMS
  • Offers fully confidential services
  • They have a “medical amnesty policy.” This means that you can call them, even if you are under the influence of alcohol, without fear of being punished for drinking illegally.

The Office of Student Conduct: 537 Leavey Center, (202)687-4553

  • Adjudicates students who are written up under the Code of Conduct
  • If you are written up, you should come here to view your incident report before your adjudication meeting.

The Office of Neighborhood Life: 1300 36th St., N.W., (202)687-4056

  • Offers resources, support services, and educational and social programming for students living off campus
  • Can help you find off-campus housing with a reputable landlord
  • Gives advice on how to properly manage your off-campus home and live as a responsible community member

Student Health Center: Ground Floor, Darnall Hall, (202)687-2200

  • Staffed by Family Practice faculty physicians and nurse practitioners with particular training and experience in college health
  • Can make appointments for common health issues, such as abdominal pains, sports-related injuries, etc. Appointments can be made online
  • Complete physical examinations for study abroad, scholarships, sports or employment are available, as well as gynecological examinations and immunization
  • They are not able to prescribe birth control or any other form of contraceptive.

Center for Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS): eastern side of Darnall Hall, (202)687-6985, (202)444-7243 (emergency)

  • Provides a broad range of confidential psychological and psychiatric services
  • Free consultations are available to anyone who is concerned about a particular student or who is looking for additional resources on or off campus.

Health Education Services (including sexual assault survivor services): 207 Village C West, (202)687-0323

  • Staffed by licensed health professionals who provide confidential services to students free of charge
  • Can assist students who are dealing with issues including, but not limited to, sexual, physical, and mental assault, alcohol and drug use, eating disorders, and pregnancy.

The Women’s Center: 327 Leavey Center, (202)687-6359

  • Provides resources, referrals and materials for the following issues and concerns: women’s health and wellness topics, eating disorders, breast cancer screenings, pregnancy tests, sexual health and gender based violence and harassment

The LGTBQ Resource Center: 325 Leavey Center, (202)687-3551

  • Provides education, programs, support services, and hosts events for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning students at Georgetown

Dining Hall Dietitian: Leo O’Donovan Dining Hall, (202)687-5379

  • Offers free nutrition counseling to all students

Academic Resource Center: Leavey Center 335, (202) 687-8354

  • Offers an array of academic support services, including study skills workshops, individual consultations, and tutoring in introductory courses, such as foreign languages

Office of Facilities Management: Harbin Hall 103, (202) 687-3432

  • Can help fix issues that arise in your dorm (i.e. leaks, worn-out light bulbs, broken furniture, etc.)
  • Contact them to book a particular room for an event, as well as to reserve chairs, tables, etc.