Students on the Memorial Student Center Plaza at Marshall University
Student Affairs

Student Advocacy and Accountability 

The Office of Student Advocacy and Accountability is committed to enhancing the college experience by providing essential support beyond the classroom. We empower students with resources to navigate challenges, resolve conflicts, and achieve personal and academic success. Our services include:

  • Conflict Resolution – Assistance with personal, and institutional challenges through mediation and advisement.
  • Accountability – Promoting a culture of responsibility by guiding students through fair and educational conduct processes.
  • Individual Support – Access to counseling, disability accommodations, and specialized health programs to help students succeed.
  • Academic Advocacy – Guidance on university policies, appeals, and fair treatment in academic matters.
Our services & resources
Excused Absences

University-excused absences are for undergraduate, face-to-face classes only. For online or graduate classes, students should work directly with their professors. Please review the excused absence policy for more information.

Student Accountability

The Student Rights & Responsibilities reflects student expectations and standards. This code and student judicial system are founded on principles of fairness and due process, and a commitment to the educational development of students.

FERPA & Proxy Information

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) ensures that students have certain rights regarding their educational records.  Under FERPA, the university may not disclose student records (except to Marshall officials who have a legitimate educational interest) without the student’s written consent. A proxy can be defined as a person who represents someone else. In this case, the person a student identifies as proxy, will have access to the academic records that the student specifies in our proxy system.

Student Handbook

The Student Handbook is the ultimate student guide. The handbook contains information about our programs, campus resources, contact information, important policies, and much more.

Submit A Report

Our reporting system allows our Marshall community to make any reports necessary.

Behavioral Intervention Team

The Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) is designed to assist faculty, staff, and administration with students facing high levels of distress in their lives and those with behavior problems.The BIT’s primary goal seeks to act preventively versus reactionary to students in distress.

Meet Our Team

Lisa Martin, Senior Director of Student Advocacy and Accountability
Memorial Student Center, 2W38
304-696-2496

Kat Smith, Director of Student Advocacy and Accountability
Memorial Student Center, 2W31-B
304-696-6833

Michaela Arthur, Assistant Director of Student Advocacy and Accountability
Memorial Student Center, 2W29
304-696-8850

Jessica Bailey, Interim Assistant Director of Case Management and Data Assessment
Memorial Student Center, 2W31A
304-696-2921

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