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.
Planning a demonstration/counterdemonstration
Date, Time, and Location
- When choosing the day and time for a demonstration, consider reviewing campus calendars such as events.chapman.edu as well as the academic, university holiday, and religious holiday calendars. Be mindful of the Disruption/Demonstration Policy in the Student Conduct Code when planning a demonstration when classes or other events are offered to avoid conflicting with or disrupting classes or other important or relevant dates and events.
- When choosing where to host a demonstration, consider outdoor locations less likely to disrupt regular operations of the University. Recommended locations include, but are not limited to, the Attallah Piazza and Bert Williams Mall. For questions about reservable spaces on campus, please contact Event Scheduling Services at (714) 744-7061 or eventscheduling@chapman.edu. Review the Egress and Building Safety Policy in the Student Conduct Code and University Fire Safety Policies to ensure you plan for crowd control appropriately.
Safety
- If the content of your demonstration relates to a particularly controversial or contested topic, consider consulting with Student Affairs and Public Safety to determine what measures can and/or should be made to ensure the safety of everyone who attends. The University’s Statement on Free Speech, commitment to Free Expression, and the core principles of Student Affairs, should be considered, especially when counter-demonstrations are likely to happen.
- If the content or logistics of your demonstration include expenses for which you need financial support, consider co-sponsoring with a student organization (if your organization isn’t already a host) or the Student Government Association.
Relevant University Policies and Statements
- Jurisdiction of the University - Know that student the University has jurisdiction over student behavior on- and off-campus that is prohibited by the Student Conduct Code and that there are a variety of factors that help determine whether student behavior falls within the University’s jurisdiction.
- Statement on Diversity & Inclusion - Chapman’s commitment to enriching diversity and inclusion within the Chapman family and the organization can serve as a guidepost for identifying relevant advocacy goals.
- Statement on Free Speech - The University’s responsibility not only to support freedom of debate and deliberation but also to protect that freedom when others may attempt to restrict it informs how Chapman responds to advocacy.
- Free Expression at Chapman - Free expression at Chapman is understood as a contributing factor to your own education, a factor of the campus climate that has the real potential of impacting other students’ education, and a factor of the Chapman experience that can help us advance as a community.
- Student Affairs Core Principles - Core principles relevant to advocacy as a developmental experience for students undergird the policies, practices, and positions of Student Affairs staff.
- Student Conduct Policies - At Chapman University, all students are expected to adhere to the policies that govern student behavior outlined in the Student Conduct Code, including, but not limited to, policies relevant to abusive behavior, breach of peace, disruption/demonstration, egress and building safety, failure to comply, and harassment.
Other Resources
- De-escalation Tips
- 10 De-escalation Tips from the Crisis Prevention Institute
- De-escalation Resources from the Rutgers University International Institute for Peace
- Know Your Rights: FIRE’s FAQ for Student Protests on Campus, FIRE – This page provides general guidelines about free speech, protests, and permits.
- Campus Free Speech Guide for Students, PEN America – This guide provides resources about responding to discrimination and harassment, engaging hateful expression, inviting and/or responding to campus speakers, planning peaceful campus protests, and understanding campus climate.
- The Activist Toolkit, Student PIRGs – This toolkit provides tips on basic tools to run strong advocacy campaigns.
- Youth Activist Toolkit, Advocates for Youth – This guide contains tips and tools related to identifying root causes and demands, analyzing power and developing strategies, crafting messaging, building collective power, and sustaining advocacy work.