Making the Advisor Connection
An organization's advisor is:
- an educator outside of the classroom
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a resource
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a supporter of an organization and its members
How your advisor works with your organization may depend on the needs of the group, the knowledge of its leadership, and the constantly changing environment factors affecting the organization. Making a connection with your advisor involves having some information about the advisor's role and then meeting to determine a role that both you and he/she are comfortable with.
The role of the advisor
Idaho State University views the services performed by faculty and staff advising student organizations as an important contribution to the total mission of the university. Student organizations closely aligned with academic departments or courses of study ordinarily select faculty advisors from those departments. Student organizations sponsoring extracurricular activities not directly related to an academic department select members of the faculty and staff at large as advisors.
The philosophy of faculty/staff advisorship of student organizations is based upon several premises. The most important of these is that meaningful educational relationships will develop between student groups and their advisors and that these relationships are beneficial to the students, advisors, and to the university community as a whole. Advisors can aid in growth and leadership of students within the group, provide a high degree of continuity from year to year as students pass through the organization, and contribute to the total education of the students.
An advisor of a group should:
- be able to attend most meetings and events of their organization
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offer assistance in defining the philosophy of an organization
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be knowledgeable about the goals and objectives of the organization
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offer assistance in planning programs for the organization
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offer assistance in budget preparation
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offer assistance when problems arise
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act as a resource person for the organization
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be familiar with University policies and guidelines concerning organizations (solicitation policy, alcohol policy, speakers policy, use of university facilities, etc.)
Advisors should take an active role in the organization, but not a controlling role. Advisors have a responsibility to promote student growth and education. The group's successes and failures should belong to the group and the advisor provide an atmosphere for this, while still maintaining a guidance and leadership role.