Student Advocacy and Support

The Student Advocates are here to assist students facing difficulties inside and outside Ara that could affect their studies and their ability to achieve their academic goals.

Inside Ara, the Student Advocates:

• Provide support with academic concerns
• Provide training and support to student representatives
• Provide support concerning relationship issues you might have with Ara staff or fellow students
• Liaise with tutors or Head of Schools regarding any concerns you may have
• Inform students on Ara policies and procedures
• Advocate for the rights of a student individually, classes or the entire student body

Outside Ara, the Student Advocates can:

• Assist with problem solving
• Provide advocacy and support with government and non-government agencies, e.g. StudyLink or Work and Income NZ
• Provide support with everyday life issues
• Provide support and referrals to address alcohol and drug issues, mental health issues, family violence, court proceedings, housing issues and counselling

Privacy and confidentiality

All meetings between Student Advocates and students are confidential unless there are safety issues involved, or permission has been granted from the student. All records are kept in a locked office in a secure building facility.

Your Student Advocates are:

• Duncan Dunbar – Independent Student Advocate is a registered counsellor and a member of the New Zealand Association of Counsellors, bound by the Code of Ethics, Bi-cultural Code of Practice and Complaints Procedure of these organisations.
• Ruby Heaton – Independent Student Advocate (Programme Representatives) has a Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) majoring in psychology. Ruby has experience as a student wellbeing advisor and in residential youth work.

Duncan and Ruby are employees of SANITI (Student Association of NMIT) to work for Ara students. For more information about SANITI, visit www.saniti.co.nz