The aim of the Equal Opportunity (EO) Liaison Officer role is for academic staff members to liaise between identified groups of students who may face EO issues and the Faculty.
The following EO Liaison Officer positions have been established by the Law School:
General Role and Responsibilities of EO Liaison Officers
EO Liaison Officers:-
1. Liaise between students and the Faculty of Law in respect of equal opportunity issues. EO Liaison Officers should refer other issues that arise to the appropriate person.
2. Liaise primarily in respect of students in the undergraduate LLB programme but may liaise in respect of students in the postgraduate and Juris Doctor programmes as appropriate.
3. Work within the mandate of the SAPEOC as a conduit between students and the SAPEOC, and are responsible to the EOC.
4. Report to the SAPEOC, which reports to Faculty, on the activities of EO Liaison Officers.
5. May be supported in their activities by a small allocation of funds by the Executive and Budget Committee.
6. Have specific portfolio responsibilities as set out for each EO Liaison Officer independently
Indigenous Students EO Liaison Officer
Dr Kirsty Gover
Indigenous students have been part of the Law School for nearly 20 years. There are currently approximately 20 Indigenous students enrolled at all levels of the LLB course. In 1993 the Law School appointed a Indigenous students' liaison officer to provide assistance to these students. Among other things, the Indigenous students' EO liaison officer:
- acts as advisers for Indigenous law students;
- liaises between Indigenous law students and members of academic staff where necessary;
- arranges seminars and information sessions to sensitise academic staff to the issues involved in teaching Indigenous students;
- helps to link Indigenous students with tutors under the ATAS (Aboriginal Tutoring Assistance Scheme);
- liaises between the Law School and the University's Centre for Indigenous Education, which provides support services to all Indigenous students on campus; and
- provides advice to the Law School on policies and projects relating to Indigenous students.
Students wishing to contact the Indigenous students' EO liaison officer may do so through the Melbourne Law School Student Centre, telephone 8344 4475.
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International, Cultural Diversity and Non-English Speaking Background Students' EO Liaison Officer
Ms Sunita Jogarajan
At least 20 per cent of law students are from overseas or have English as a second language (ESL). Many of these students have particular educational needs, such as understanding the legal language used in texts, Australian teaching methods, and Australian historical or political events which other students may take for granted.
The international and non-English speaking background EO liaison officer is a member of academic staff to whom international and ESL students go to for assistance and advice on their studies. Roles include acting as a mentor for overseas and ESL students; liaising with the ESL Centre to provide language assistance; assisting students to make applications for special consideration or to the Progress Committee; giving feedback to academic staff, in relation to teaching and curriculum content; and, liaising between the Law School and the International Law Students' Society.
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Queer (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex) Students EO Liaison Officer
Ms Lisa Sarmas
The Law School includes many queer law students and staff. The appointment of an academic member of staff as a queer EO liaison officer serves to recognise and celebrate this diversity and to address the particular needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex law students. The primary role of the officer is to provide the queer student body with assistance and support in academic and other related matters. This includes acting as mentor to queer law students and members of academic staff. The officer also assists in the organisation of queer law interest group sessions as well as organising social functions.
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Mature Age EO Liaison Officer
Associate Professor John Tobin
Each year the Law School appoints a mature age students' EO liaison officer to assist those students with their study and related needs.
Students wishing to contact the mature age students' EO liaison officer may do so through the Melbourne Law School Student Centre, telephone 8344 4475.
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Disabilities EO Liaison Officer
Mr Glenn Patmore
The Law School has a number of students with disabilities and has appointed a member of academic staff as the disabled students' liaison officer to act as a mentor for the student body. The primary role of the officer is to assist and support students in academic and other related matters, ensuring that they have access to the wide range of services available for students including special examination arrangements, granting of extensions, taping of lectures, organising note takers and so on. If you are a student with special needs please do not hesitate to contact the disabled students' EO liaison officer. A DLO guide is available with further details for students with disabilities.The Melbourne Law School Student Centre has appointed its own disability contact officer who can also assist students with their special requirements.
Students wishing to contact the disabled students' EO liaison officer and/or the disability contact officer may do so through the Melbourne Law School Student Centre, tel +61 3 8344 4475.
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Gender Liaison Officer
Dr Ann Genovese
In 2008, the Law School introduced a Women's or Gender Liaison Officer to parallel the other EO Liaison Officers. This provides a focal point in the Law School for those who have specific concerns about gender equality or sex discrimination. The primary role of the Gender EO Liaison Officer is to act as a point of contact and assistance for women students, and students who have equal opportunity concerns based on gender. For example, the Gender EO liaison officer’s responsibility is to support students or student societies that bring women students together, in order to encourage networks, and provide opportunities for discussion. The gender EO Officer is also responsible for liaising with staff and students, with regard to ensuring that the special needs of women students, and students who have equal opportunity concerns based on gender, are addressed.
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