Members Advocate

Are you experiencing an issue? Did an obstacle become too big to handle on your own? Don’t know where to turn for help or unsure of the supports available to you? That’s where the Members’ Advocate comes in!

TRUSU wants to make sure that no member of the Students’ Union feels alone in their struggles. Talking to a Members’ Advocate is the first step you can take when you are having an issue and need further support. Members’ Advocates are people who will listen to what you are experiencing, and work with you to develop strategies and options for working through your problems.

Members’ Advocates are guided by the following principles:

• • Confidentiality: TRUSU will maintain the confidentiality of information provided unless directed otherwise by the student providing the information. (Note: Confidentiality will be broken if a student comments about doing harm to themselves or others, or if a student speaks to the advocate about a criminal act. There is no legal privilege attached to communications between students and the Advocate.)
  • Independence: The Students’ Union operates independently from Thompson Rivers University and is responsible to students who are Students’ Union members. TRUSU Members’ Advocates act independently of TRU.
  • Avoiding Conflicts of Interest: Advocates will seek to avoid conflicts of interest between their duties for the Students’ Union and their role of Members’ Advocate.
  • No Duty to Assist: The Members’ Advocate will review each request for assistance. Whether the advocate service is provided is at their sole discretion and is determined based on the merits of the case. The Students’ Union does not have a legal duty to represent a member regardless of their circumstances
  • Zero Tolerance: The Students’ Union has zero tolerance for abusive, harassing or bullying behavior and any student acting in such a manner will be immediately released from the service.

A TRUSU Member can receive informal assistance such as:

• Listen to student concerns and evaluate the situation;
• Answer questions or help find someone who can;
• Discuss courses of action including informal or formal steps to resolve problems;
• Provide information on policies and procedures, including rights and responsibilities;
• Assist in filing appeals;
• Preparation for conversations with supervisors, instructors or administrators, or to prepare for formal hearings;
• Participation in meetings between students and officials as a witness;
• Connect students with service departments, or external agencies, for assistance and/or advice.

Even if you feel your issue does not fit what is mentioned above, please reach out to us. If we can’t help you, we will do our best to guide you to someone who can.

How to Reach Out

To get in touch with the Members’ Advocate please fill out the form below to outline your issue and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

TRUSU and TRU have several student services that may provide additional advice or support. Click on the name of the service below to learn more: