MISSION OF THE PHYSICS STUDENT ADVOCATE: To listen and advise both physics undergraduates and graduate students having primarily nonacademic issues pertaining to course work or research ranging from distress, discrimination, exploitation, or intimidation working with physics faculty, post-docs, staff, or other students. The Physics Student Advocate may propose changes in departmental procedures to the Departmental Chair and/or EID Chair should particular patterns of nonacademic issues arise and can be dealt with in such a manner.
CONTACT: Should a physics student (graduate or undergraduate) have such an issue as described above, they should e-mail Barbara Daley at bldopyer@syr.edu, the Physics Student Advocate, with the subject heading: Confidential Request for Physics Student Advocate. In this email, please just include your available days and times to meet virtually (at this time)and if you would like a student to participate in the conversation for additional support. There are two students assisting the Physics Student Advocate, graduate student Elenna Capote and undergraduate Erin McCarthy. No other information is needed in the email.
CORNERSTONE PRINCIPLES: The Physics Student Advocate provides confidential, informal, and impartial assistance to the student.
Confidentiality: The Physics Student Advocate maintains the privacy of the identity of the student as well as the content of their conversations. With a student’s permission, the Physics Student Advocate may contact individuals within the department whose help may be needed to address the issue. The only exception to this privilege of confidentiality is when there appears to be imminent risk of serious harm, or there is no reasonable option other than disclosure, or when Title 9 Law and SU policies apply.
Informal Setting: All students of the physics department have a right to talk voluntarily with the Physics Student Advocate. The Physics Student Advocate has no authority to make decisions on behalf of the department and maintains no official department records.
Neutrality/Impartiality: The Physics Student Advocate has no personal interest or stake in, and incurs no personal gain or loss, from assisting the student.