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

The CSA SHAC Office is located in UC235
Feel free to stop by during our office hours, or give us a call at 519 824 4120 x58105

SHAC Coordinator — Jun

Feb 14 8am-11am | virtual via Teams
Feb 15 8am-11am | virtual via Teams
Feb 16 9am-11am | virtual via Teams
Feb 21 8am-11am | virtual via Teams
Feb 22 8am-11am | virtual via Teams
Feb 23 9am-11am | virtual via Teams
Mar 2 9am-2pm | in person, SHAC Office - UC235
Mar 3 10am-1pm | in person, SHAC Office - UC235
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

Mondays, 11:00AM - 1:00PM
Tuesdays, 11:00AM - 1:00PM
Available via email at advocacy@uoguelph.ca

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