Student Help and Advocacy Centre

Welcome to the Student Help and Advocacy Centre (SHAC)! We are a student-run advocacy and referral centre here to provide you with a confidential and inclusive space for students to ask questions and get information.

We offer a variety of support in areas including academic guidance, financial assistance, housing/tenancy, human rights, and legal aid. Our services are tailored to meet the specific needs of our clients, if you have any questions or need support, please don't hesitate to contact us!

Areas of Focus

Academic

  • Academic guidance in understanding your rights and responsibilities

  • Assistance in addressing academic misconduct and the appeal process

  • Options for accommodation and conflict resolution for your concerns

  • Navigating course admissions, adding/dropping courses

  • Referrals to ideal academic services and resources

Financial

  • Review student-led club partnership agreements and sponsorship contracts

  • Assistance in scholarship and OSAP applications

  • Post-graduate work permit & work study permit information

  • Offering referrals for employment issues such as constructive dismissal and medical leave

Housing & Tenancy

  • Tenancy workshops and support around the Residential Tenancies Act

  • Providing lease reviews

  • Offering legal information about conflicts with landlords/roommates, evictions, and rent increases, to navigate these situations and understand your rights

  • Housing & Tenancy Workshops

  • Referrals to housing/tenancy-related supports such as Off-Campus Living so you can make informed decisions

Human Rights

  • Explanation of the Human Rights Code, Constitution, and Charter of Rights

  • Explanation of the Employment Equity Act, to understand your rights in the workplace

  • Support for instances of discrimination and navigating processes

  • Legal Information and support for human rights related issues

  • Assistance in legal name and/or gender identity change

  • Referrals to professional services and resources in the area of human rights

Legal

  • Free legal aid via professional office hours held during the fall and winter semesters

    • W23 Office Hours: Lindsey ArmstrongㅣMonday’s from 1PM – 4PM

  • Legal information on tenancy, employment, human rights, changing legal name and gender identity, and preparing for judicial hearings

  • Referrals to off-campus legal resources, to connect you with the support you need to resolve legal issues

Contact

SHAC Coordinator — Jun

  • Tuesdays, 8:00AM - 11:00AM
  • Thursday, 9:00AM - 2:00PM
  • Available via email at shac@uoguelph.ca

     

SHAC Assistant Coordinator — Yuha

  • Wednesdays, 2:00PM - 4:00PM 
  • Fridays, 2:00PM - 4:00PM
  • Available via email at shachelp@uoguelph.ca

 

SHAC Assistant Coordinator — Nick

 

CSA VP Academic — Mason Friebe | csavpacademic@uoguelph.ca

Drop-In Lawyer / Paralegal

Lawyer — Lindsay Armstrong

  • Mondays, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm, virtual via Zoom 
    Meeting ID: 847 3263 0952
    Passcode: 578607

  • You will be automatically placed into a waiting room to ensure confidentiality, please be patient to be joined.

  • Please note: office hours on April 10 will be moved to April 11 (Tuesday), 1:00PM - 4:00PM due to Easter Monday

Articling Student — Neil MacIsaac

  • Wed 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm, virtual via Teams Passcode: yKrMz3

Give Us Feedback

If you have used our SHAC services, we would appreciate hearing any feedback you might have. If you have any questions, please contact shac@uoguelph.ca for more information.
Give Us Feedback

Last Updated:
Thursday, January 19th, 2023 1:57 PM