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INFORMATION FOR ADVISORS AND ATTORNEYS

Become an OSCR Advisor: call 734-936-6308 or e-mail us for more information. Also see Volunteering with OSCR on this website.

Need an Advisor? Call 734-936-6308 or e-mail us to find out how you can find Advisors.

The University of Michigan’s student conflict resolution process is guided by a community-owned document called the Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities.

Per the Statement, Student complainants and respondents (accused students) may request assistance from an Advisor.

The Michigan Student Assembly (MSA) …“has the option to develop a student peer advisor corps. These advisors will be available to any student party involved in Statement proceedings (excluding mediations). All potential peer advisors in the Advisor Corps must successfully complete training provided by [OSCR].”

MSA Advisor Corps members will:

  • Build trust in the conflict-resolution process by acting with integrity and honesty.
  • Promote justice by helping their advisee to be a full, informed and active participant.
  • Teach peace by supporting their advisees’ efforts to achieve a peaceful and equitable resolution to conflict.
  • Be thoroughly knowledgeable about the conflict-resolution process, its underlying philosophies, and their responsibilities as advisors.
  • Add educational value to the process.
  • Be supportive, direct, clear and helpful.

As volunteers in the MSA Advisor Corps program, members will:

  • Successfully complete the Volunteer Training Program as outlined by MSA and OSCR.
  • Act indiscriminately to assist and support both complainants and respondents across a range of potential violations.
  • Welcome feedback and commit to continuous improvement.
  • Do their best to reply affirmatively to requests for advising.
  • Respect and abide the standards and practice of confidentiality employed by this process.

When working with an advisee, MSA Advisor Corps members will:

  • Explain the conflict-resolution process and the options afforded them at each stage.
  • Assist them in preparing for meetings, framing questions, identifying witnesses and gathering supporting materials.
  • Help them manage the emotions and stress that they may experience.
  • Respond to their inquiries in a timely manner.
  • Do their best to empower their advisees and respect the limits of their role.
  • Act without bias, and withdraw if a potential conflict of interest exists.
  • Make referrals to other campus and community resources as appropriate (CAPS, SAPAC, Safe House, LGBTA, etc.).
  • Break confidentiality if they believe their advisee or another party may be a threat to themselves or others.

MSA Advisor Corps members will NOT:

  • Derail or impede the conflict-resolution process.
  • Give legal advice.
  • Serve as a Witness in an Arbitration involving a party they’re advising.
  • Rob advisees of their agency by making decisions for them, misrepresenting the process and the options afforded them, or attempt to speak for or represent them in meetings.
  • Investigate an incident on their advisees’ behalf.
  • Keep personal records of cases in which they’ve assisted.