Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Student Advocate Office (SAO) do?

SAO works to facilitate open and honest communication between students and the University by providing free and private peer support advice and assistance to any student, student organization, or student group involved in a dispute with the University or any other entity within the University community. In addition, the SAO promotes students’ rights and challenges policies of the University on behalf of the students of UC Davis.

Our case workers meet with students on a one-to-one basis to work through the facts and ensure that students are in the best position to represent themselves. Our Case Advisors also double as Community Organizers to carry out policy projects from trends they see on the casework level.

What is the difference between SAO and OSSJA?

The Office of Student Support and Judicial Affairs (OSSJA) supports the University's educational mission by upholding standards of academic honesty and responsible behavior, promoting student development, and assisting students in need. OSSJA facilitates the informal and formal conduct process between students and administrators.

SAO differs from OSSJA. SAO is an independent, student-run, student-led organization through the Associated Students of UC Davis (ASUCD) that advises students through the OSSJA conduct process. We also assist with administrative disputes, including but not limited to academic probation and subject to dismissal. We advise on a case-by-case basis, and each individual is responsible for setting up a meeting with us. OSSJA will not automatically refer you to our office. 

I just got a letter saying I need to meet with OSSJA. What will happen in this meeting?

If this is your first letter from the Office of Student Support and Judicial Affairs, it is most likely a preliminary meeting to get your side of the story and to decide whether or not your case needs to go through a formal hearing. It is most important to be respectful and honest about the situation so that OSSJA can help you as much as possible. If you want to discuss details of your case before you meet with OSSJA, contact us! We will meet with you and review the facts of your case prior to your meeting, and advise you on how to proceed. We are also available to accompany you to your meeting. 

How should I prepare for a meeting with OSSJA?

Please refer to our How to Prepare for a Meeting page.

Can one of the SAO caseworkers come with me to my meeting/hearing?

If you would feel more comfortable, an SAO caseworker can come with you. They will not be able to speak on your behalf, but they can take you aside during the meeting if you are confused or have questions throughout the process. If you do want one of us to accompany you, please contact us and we will discuss your case.

Do I need a lawyer?

You do not need a lawyer to help you with issues involving Judicial Affairs; University procedure is very different from legal protocols outside of the University’s jurisdiction. You are allowed an attorney, but the role of the attorney or advisor is limited to assistance and support of you making your own case; they cannot speak on your behalf. If your particular situation also includes legal action outside of the University, the ASUCD Legal Services are available to you.

Will SAO's services be denied to me if I’m accused of sexual assault?

The Office of the Student Advocate is a free resource for all undergraduate students who need help handling an accusation from UC Davis. We are responsible for assisting students in understanding the University’s legal processes, we are not here to judge. We will not deny services to any student based on their accusation.

Why is OSSJA meeting with me for an incident that did not involve UC Davis (i.e. drinking, violence, or other criminal charges)?

Even if your incident did not occur on the UC Davis campus, there are multiple ways in which UC Davis would still get involved. This can happen if UCPD gets involved with your case, if the dispute is with another UC Davis student, or if you are accused of violating any component of the Student Code of Conduct (which includes many of the same behavioral laws as the city has in regards to drinking or violence etc.). On each charge letter you receive, it should include a citation for what section they accused you of violating. The Code of Conduct can be found here: Student Code of Conduct.

What is plagiarism?

The concept of plagiarism is based on the concept of Intellectual Property, the notion that an idea can be owned by a person. Rightly or wrongly, this strongly informs plagiarism and why it is taken so seriously in the United States. To use another person’s words or ideas without crediting them is considered stealing.

U.S. academic conventions require everyone to explicitly give credit to others for their work. If someone else’s ideas or words are used in a paper, for example, the author must state where and from whom those words or ideas came. Failure to cite a source, even unintentionally, is considered plagiarism and could severely affect a student’s academic standing.