Helping hands on campus

Throughout a student's college experience, he or she inevitably will run into problems. Maybe there is a dispute about grades with a teacher, or the person has experienced racial or sexual discrimination, or maybe the student just gets depressed. For students who have a hard time finding the right person to talk to, the Student Advocates can help point them in the right direction.\nThe Student Advocates started in the mid-80s. The members of this organization, composed of 17 retired IU professors and administrators located in Franklin Hall 206, volunteers to help students with non academic problems. If they can't help you, they will set up an appointment with one of the other student-help organizations around campus such as the Office of Women's Affairs or Office of Affirmative Action. Other offices students might be referred to include Student Ethics and Anti-Harassment Programs, Student Legal Services or Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Support Services.\n"No matter what we think of the student's question, no matter what we think of the student, we do what we can," said student advocate and retired professor Frank Banta.\nBill Kroll, a student advocate for 11 years, remembers one of his first experiences as an advocate. A female student appealed a grade given by a professor to the dean of the college through the Student Advocates office. Kroll contacted other students in the same course to get their opinions on the professor's grading policy. The dean called the Academic Fairness Committee in on the case, and it ruled in favor of the student. The professor was asked to change the grade.\n"The student and I were most relieved and happy," Kroll said.\nIn January, Kroll finally resolved a problem a student brought to to him three years ago. This student experienced serious medical problems during a semester and did not withdraw from classes. She received all Fs and came to Kroll for his help in dealing with the administration. The student was then granted withdrawls from all her classes instead of receiving failing grades.\n"It gives you a good feeling when you help a student," Kroll said. "The cases that you get are never routine."\nLou Moir, who joined the Student Advocates two years ago, was surprised at the breadth of cases the Student Advocates had to handle. At Moir's retirement party, she was offered an invitation to become a student advocate and hasn't looked back. Like the other student advocates, Moir has strong ties to IU and enjoys helping students with their problems.\n"It's like putting pieces of a puzzle together," said Moir.\nThe Student Advocates assist students in getting the help they need from a wide range of problems. In the past, advocates have guided students who suffer from depression, attention deficit disorder, schizophrenia, assault and racial and sexual discrimination. Every year, more than 1,000 students come to the office seeking help. \n"We use a lot of Kleenex in the office," said Banta.\nTwo of the most common problems students bring to the advocates are illegal use of alcohol and problems with a residence hall. In such cases, advocates can advise students and sit in on the hearings.\nAt the Student Advocates' office, students receive personal and confidential assistance from an advocate who is knowledgeable about the various programs on campus that give support to students with specific needs.\nFor more information, visit the Student Advocates Web site, www.dsa.indiana.edu/adv.html.\n-- Contact Staff Writer Christie Burke at chlburke@indiana.edu.