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Student Advocacy

» Student Advocacy

Student advocacy has been a part of the higher education landscape since its founding.  Whether to support a cause of national or international importance or to influence change within the institution, college students have always played an important role in transforming the world around them.

Whether you’re advocating for a particular change on campus or wanting to respond to something taking place beyond Chapman, the resources below are intended to help you make the most of that effort.  As the official representative body of the Chapman University undergraduate student population, the Student Government Association is dedicated to making positive change on campus, and its job is to advocate for student needs and concerns to improve every aspect of the Chapman experience.  Whether it be speaking out about an issue at a weekly Senate meeting, vocalizing a concern to a Senator at their public office hours, or even running for an open Senate or Executive position, SGA is an important avenue for on-campus advocacy.  You can learn more about SGA and which officer would be the best contact for your advocacy efforts on the SGA webpage.

 

See also Student Complaint Procedures Notice.


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Questions to Consider When Advocating for Change at Chapman

  • Have you offered to meet in person with the appropriate university staff member(s) to introduce yourself and discuss your concerns and ideas? 
    • Change happens regularly through relationships between members of the Chapman community. Depending upon your idea, one or two meetings may be all that’s needed.  If your concerns and ideas relate to change that would occur over a longer period of time, developing a relationship with the appropriate university staff member(s) will help you secure support that will be needed over time.
  • Have you familiarized yourself with the staff member’s scope of responsibilities to the University and the legitimate concerns/questions they might have about your ideas?
    • Preparing to understand the factors they need to consider given their positional responsibilities may help streamline communication and distinguish between short- and long-term objectives.
  • Have you outlined clear and tangible goals/solutions for the decision-maker(s) to consider?
    • The more specific your goals, the easier it will be for those ideas to be considered.

Email the Dean of Students Office if you're not sure where to start and would like help confirming the answers to any of the questions above.