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Student Advice Service
Find out about OUSU's Student Advice Service
Student Advice Service
The OUSU Student Advice Service is a free and confidential information, advice and advocacy service for students.
The Service employs one permanent, part time Student Advisor, Lisa Stokes-King. Lisa took her undergraduate degree as a mature student at Oxford before doing graduate work abroad, and has experience of advice work and student pastoral care. She is also one of Oxfordshire's Domestic Abuse 'Champions', and is specifically trained in the short and long term effects of Domestic Abuse on children.
All other members of the Service have either just finished their degrees, or are taking a sabbatical year out in the middle of them. This means that we have a first-hand understanding of the Oxford experience, but also the time to devote to solving problems with you.
Members of the Student Advice Service
Lisa Stokes-King: Student Advisor
t: 01865 (2)88466 e: advice@ousu.org
Lisa is in the office on Mondays, Thursdays and Friday afternoons. She is happy to deal with any queries, from requests for straightforward information to issues that students would like to discuss at length. If you are not sure to whom you should address your initial enquiry, email the Student Advisor and she will make sure that you are contacted by the most appropriate person for your case. She is often available to see students in person at short notice, but it is best to check her availability by telephone first.
t: 01865 (2)88461 e: welfare@ousu.org
Tom is available to see individuals who have an issue they would like to discuss, on any topic. He provides resources, advice and training sessions for all students involved in the welfare network across the University and oversees the production of a number of guides including the Oxford Survival Guide, The LGBTQ Handbook and the OUSU Living Out Guide. He has a bank of information on many issues ranging from finance to coming out, to eating disorders and unplanned pregnancy and where he is unable to help directly can advise students on where best to seek help. The Vice-President (Welfare and Equal Opportunities) works on a variety of issues under the banner of 'equal opportunities' and OUSU Welfare aims to help create a University where all students can thrive in an atmosphere of mutual respect and support.
Katharine Terrell: Vice-President (Women)
t: (2)88462 e:women@ousu.org
Katharine's job is to ensure that the issues which affect women aren't neglected. She does both campaigning and welfare work on areas such as student parents, harassment, sexual violence, eating disorders. She is available to see all students, regardless of gender, and is can provide confidential support and information as a member of the Student Advice Service.
t: 01865 (2)88463 e: graduates@ousu.org
t: 01865 (2)88464 e: access@ousu.org
How to find us
The OUSU offices are in Thomas Hull house, at the back of Bonn Square - that's the newly paved area opposite the Westgate Shopping centre and BHS, near Argos.
The Service normally runs between 10am and 5.30pm on weekdays, though we may be able to arrange an appointment outside these hours if needs be. It is best to make an appointment by emailing advice@ousu.org, or phoning the Student Advisor on (2)88466. You're also welcome to drop into the OUSU offices, though you may not be able to see someone straight away - our work often takes us out into the University, and we do have a range of fixed commitments.
Confidentiality Policy
The Student Advice Service is a confidential and impartial advice service for students.
Any information you give to a member of the Student Advice Service will be considered confidential within the service. You may be asked to give some personal details for our own records in order for us to provide you with the best possible advice and support.
The Service reserves the right to breach confidentiality in extreme circumstance without the explicit consent of the user, under procedures set out in the annual review of the service: this will be appropriate where the user is considered '...to be an immediate danger to themselves or to others'. If this is considered relevant then you will be told and it will be discussed with you.
Under the provisions set out in the Data Protection Act, you may ask to see copies of any notes or other correspondence produced as a result of your use of the service.
If you have any complaints or enquiries about any aspect of the service, please get in touch with the Vice-President (Welfare and Equal Opportunities)
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