FAQs

• Does the Student Resolution Advocate tell anyone what I've said?

  With few exceptions, the Student Resolution Advocate does not reveal what you communicate or even that you have made a contact unless you have provided explicit permission to do so. You may choose to give the SRA permission to share details of your concern with relevant administration in order to investigate or resolve that concern. Sometimes, you may elect to share your narrative, without your name, which is another option.

  There are some circumstances where information from a report needs to be shared with administration. This includes information that raises safety concerns at the College or University, or is about crime on or near campus, elder abuse, or child abuse or endangerment.  Also, Dr. Blackman is a Title IX Mandatory Reporter and MSU policy requires the SRA to report to the MSU Office for Civil Rights any received information about sexual harassment, sexual violence, sexual misconduct, stalking, or relationship violence. 

  Please ask the Student Resolution Advocate if you have any questions about this policy.

• Can I remain anonymous?

  Yes. A report on the Professional Concerns and Mistreatment Form is anonymous unless you enter your name. If you choose to remain anonymous and/or not permit contact for conversation, you may limit the options available for resolution of your concern. Anonymous reports may still help CHM assess and improve the learning

• Can I talk to the MSU Ombudsperson?

  Yes. You are encouraged to do so if you think it would be useful for your concern. That decision is completely up to you – feel free to discuss it with the Student Resolution Advocate. You are free to contact the MSU Ombudsperson as well at the College of Human Medicine Student Resolution Advocate at any time.

• Can I tell the Student Resolution Advocate what I need and have them take care of it?

  No. One goal of the Student Resolution Advocate is to help students have the information, skills, and confidence to act on their own behalf. There are times when the SRA may ask if she can summarize your complaint for relevant administration in order to help with investigation or resolution.

• Do I need to talk to the Student Resolution Advocate before I file a grievance?

  No, contacting the Student Resolution Advocate is not a required step in the grievance process. However, the SRA may help you think through how to solve a concern informally prior to filing a grievance, and can help you navigate the grievance system.  

• Does telling the College of Human Medicine Student Resolution Advocate put the college or MSU on "Notice" about my problem?

  No. Any formal action is completely separate from contact with the Student Resolution Advocate. As an informal resource, the Student Resolution Advocate does not initiate or participate in any formal adjudicative or administrative procedures. The Student Resolution Advocate may be helpful in identifying who within the college or university you must notify directly.

• How can I get support on personal issues?

  The college's Health and Wellness office is available to support students with personal needs. Health and Wellness have offices in Room A-112W Clinical Center in East Lansing and Room 624 Secchia in Grand Rapids. 

   

• How do I report mistreatment?

  Mistreatment may be reported to the SRA using the Professional Concerns and Mistreatment Report Form.  You may also file a mistreatment report with the Learning Environment Committee. Using the SRA is especially helpful if yiou would like to discuss the mistreatment concern.

• Is there a difference if I discuss a sexual assault with the College of Human Medicine Student Resolution Advocate or the MSU Ombudsperson?

  Yes, while university protocols allow the MSU Ombudsperson to honor requests for absolute confidentiality from an adult victim of sexual assault, the College of Human Medicine Student Resolution Advocate must adhere to MSU’s Title IX and Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct Policy reporting mandates.

• Must I follow the Student Resolution Advocate’s recommendations?

  No, you are not compelled to follow recommendations that evolve from discussion with the Student Resolution Advocate.

• Should I report witnessed mistreatment of another student?

  Yes. Your report will help College of Human Medicine assess and improve the learning environment for everyone.

• Who do I tell if I have a problem with the Student Resolution Advocate?

  The Student Resolution Advocate welcomes feedback. Please feel free to share your concerns or dissatisfaction. Continuing concerns and unresolved problems with the Student Resolution Advocate should be reported to the Dean.

• Will I ever have the Student Resolution Advocate as a medical school instructor? Might the Student Resolution Advocate grade me?

  No. To avoid conflict of interest, the Student Resolution Advocate will not engage in teaching assignments that involve direct interaction with students or situations where there is potential to grade or assess individual students. The Student Resolution Advocate may remain involved in activities such as presentations, informal skill development opportunities, contact with students that are not part of a course and not graded, and work with curriculum and policies.

• Will the Student Resolution Advocate talk to my attorney or testify if I choose to file a grievance or lawsuit?

  No. Once a matter enters any formal process the Student Resolution Advocate does not have any further involvement.

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