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The Role of the Advisor
What is the Role of an
Advisor?
Advisors are first and foremost educators. In this role you will
provide information, present alternative, encourage responsibility, support
creativity, and challenge students to develop as leaders. In this role an
advisor walks a fine line between leading the organization and giving the
organization the strength to lead itself.
Advisors should not
assume a role as a leader, officer, or voting member within the student
organization. The various “hats” of an advisor can be placed into four
categories: planning assistance, leadership skill development, resource
guidance/policy interpretation, and transition.
Planning Assistance
The advisor will advise students in planning projects, competitions,
events, or programs for the organization. This may include planning a
meeting or social, fundraising drive, community service event, or sports
event. Students often need assistance in ordering the process, involving
other members or logistical considerations. They may not know the questions
to ask.
Leadership Skill
Development
Student leaders come into their positions with various levels of
ability. If the advisor develops a relationship of trust the student will
benefit from guidance in areas such as assertiveness, budgeting, time
management, as well as helping the group with problem solving,
decision-making, and cohesiveness. The advisor may work directly with
officers in developing individual skills like public speaking and letter
writing, or officers may ask him or her to assist in ways to increase
motivation.
Resource
Guidance/Policy Interpretation
Advisors serve as liaisons between the university and the organization
by providing information regarding university procedures and guidelines and
making appropriate contacts. It is not the responsibility of the advisor to
find monetary resources but students frequently need some guidance in
deciding where to start.
Transition
Many organization need assistance in transitioning officers. As advisor
you can help by offering to meet with the out-going and in-coming officers
to discuss expectations and re-cap the previous term of office. Your
presence as facilitator will guide the students to exchange needed
information.
Suggested Tasks for
Advisors
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Create opportunities
for the educational and personal development of students.
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Have knowledge of all
plans and activities of the group.
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Discourage domination
of the group by any individual or small groups.
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Assist in the
orientation of new officers.
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Be available to meet
with members of the organization at their regular meetings and events
sponsored by the group.
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Provide guidance in
the planning and evaluation of programs.
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Assist the group in
setting realistic goals and objectives for the academic year.
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Promote closer
involvement between students, faculty and staff.
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Assist the group in
abiding by all University policies, procedures, and regulations.
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Be familiar with the
Student Organization section of the student handbook as well as the
constitution and by-laws of Student Association Senate and the specific
organization by-laws.
Techniques of Advising
Understanding what a student officer expects of an advisor and what an
advisor may expect of a student officer may enable one to more effectively
fulfill the role of an advisor. It is strongly suggested that prior to the
first meeting of the year advisors should meet with the student leaders to
determine mutual expectations. Listed here are guidelines that may be
helpful in determining these expectations.
What a Student
Officer May Expect of an Advisor:
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Assist the group
in formulating long-range goals and in planning and initiating
short-term projects.
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Assistance with
University procedural matters.
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Suggestions of
ways the group meetings can be improved.
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Assist in
evaluating group projects, performance, and progress.
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Make suggestions
that will permit the officers to improve leadership skills.
What an
Advisor may Expect of a Student Officer
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Keep
advisor informed of all organizational activities, meeting times,
locations, and agendas.
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Provide advisor with minutes of all meetings.
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Meet
regularly with advisor and use him/her as a sounding board for
discussing plans and problems.
Different Approaches to
Advising
The most important aspect of advising is to remember that one’s main
role is just that- to advise. The suggestions listed below are meant to
help the advisor work more effectively with the student organization in the
role of an advisor.
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Point out issues
relating to ideas presented by the officer without imposing bias.
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If an idea is
inappropriate, the advisor should encourage the students to consider
other alternatives.
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Informal meetings are
conductive to open and worthwhile discussion.
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f the officer asks
“What should we do?” or “What do you think?” the question should be
rephrased and handed back. The advisor is there to assist the offer but
not to solve the problems for the student.
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The advisor may wish to
periodically evaluate the student in their effectiveness as an officer.
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The advisor may feel
comfortable participating in group discussions when the members have
learned to recognize and accept the advisor’s role as a co-worker whose
opinions are respected for their value. This participation should not
inhibit the prerogatives of anyone else
The Role of the Advisor
Listed below are some expectations student leaders have of their
advisor. The list is designed to help advisors and student officers arrive
at a clear and mutually agreed upon role of the advisor in club or
organization affairs.
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Attend all general and
executive committee meetings
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Call meetings of the
executive committee when they believe it is necessary
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Explain
University policy
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Meet with the
President/Chairperson prior to all meeting
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Speak up during
discussion when they have relevant information
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Take an active part in
formulating the goals of the group
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Initiate ideas for
discussion when they believe they will help the group
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Check all official
correspondence before it is sent and keep a copy on file
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Be custodian of all
group paraphernalia, records, etc., during the summer and between change
over of officers
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Keep official files in
office
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Inform the group of
infractions of their constitution and bylaws
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Keep the group aware of
its stated objectives when planning events
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Veto a decision when it
violates a stated object, constitution, bylaws, or University policy
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Mediate interpersonal
conflicts that arise.
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State what their
advisor responsibilities are, or as they see them, at the first meeting
of the year
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Let the group work out
its problems, including making mistakes and “doing it the hard way”
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Insist on an evaluation
of each activity by those students responsible for planning it
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Take the initiative in
creating teamwork and cooperation among the officers
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Let the group thrive or
decline on its merits; do not interfere unless requested to do so
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Represent the group in
any conflicts with members of University staff
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Be familiar with
University facilities, services and procedures which affect group
activities
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Take an active part in
the orderly transition of responsibilities between old and new officers
at the end of year
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Approve all candidates
for office in terms of what the constitution and by-laws stipulate
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Cancel any activities
that may violate policy or are poorly planned
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