Student Advocate's Office

Our Divisions

SAO is made up of four divisions, each of which houses Caseworkers with differing expertise and experiences.

Academic

Our Academic Division handles scholastic issues including, but not limited to, grade changes, personal withdrawals, CalCentral issues, and disputes with faculty.

Financial Aid

Our Financial Aid Division handles monetary issues including, but not limited to, financial aid dispersal, student employees, emergency housing, tuition, and California residency.

Our Conduct Division handles conduct issues for students accused of violating the Student Code of Conduct for actions including, but not limited to, alleged cheating, destruction of property, and assault.

Grievance

Our Grievance Division handles all other student grievances, including, but not limited to, DSP accommodations, discrimination, sexual violence, and non-traditional student concerns.

The ASUC Student Advocate’s Office (SAO) — effectively the campus public defender — is an executive, non-partisan office of the student government at UC Berkeley. We offer representation, help, and advice to any student or student group involved in a dispute with the University.

Our caseworkers have experience and knowledge about all sorts of problems, including conduct violations, grade disputes, enrollment issues, financial aid problems, establishment of residency, discrimination, and harassment. All assistance is free and confidential.

Visit the division pages above for information and resources about common disputes.

Contact us here!

Click here for more information about confidentiality, advising, and resources.

Looking to join our office? Click here for our application page.

Please visit our Resources Page for guides and recent updates to University Policy.