Advisor Information

Purpose of Advisors
Student involvement in campus organizations allows them the opportunity to develop organizational and leadership skills. In some organizations, students have the opportunity to expand their knowledge in a related field of interest. In support of these objective, it is important that an experienced individual be available to assist students in their organizational endeavors. While the range of organization activities and purposes is diverse, advisors can be valuable resource to an organization in terms of help and procedural matters, university regulations and policies, and financial concerns.

Advisor Guidelines

Advisors must be an on-campus EMU faculty or staff member. *Graduate Assistants are unable to serve as the primary advisor for student organizations starting June 1, 2019.*
It is strongly encouraged that advisors be faculty/ staff within the organization's discipline or interest area.
Students within the organization should select their advisor.
Before accepting the position, advisors should be aware of the responsibilities and commitments involved and be willing to perform these functions without reservation.
Advisors must be Cleary Act trained.
Advisors must understand and abide by FERPA Regulations.

Cleary Act Training

This online training is required for all faculty/staff Student Organization Advisers. To access the training, use the EMU e-learning management system - Bridge.
Login to Bridge with your EMU NetID. Once logged in, click on “Learning” on the left side menu, followed by “Learning Library” near the top middle of the screen. Scroll to the section labeled “All Others” where you will see a course called “Clery Act”. Clicking that course will bring up an “enroll” button which will take you to the training.

Advisor Responsibilities

Assist officers in understanding their duties, administrating programs and plans, organizing projects and making appropriate transitions.
See that continuity of the organization is preserved through a constitution, minutes, files and traditions.
Encourage the use of parliamentary procedures so that meetings are run in an orderly, efficient manner.
Encourage students to understand and apply democratic principles, including recognition of minority opinions and rights.
Meet, as needed, with the organization's president.
Meet, as needed, with the executive board.
Advise students regarding university policies and procedures.
Be a facilitator both among officers and between officers and members.
Be familiar with the organization's national structure and services, if relevant.
Consult on program and with individual students as necessary.
Be generally available to assist the organization.
Submit LBC credit information as needed for the four officer positions that qualify for LBC credit.

Organization's Responsibilities to the advisor

Notify the advisor of all meetings and events.
Consult the advisor, when needed, in the planning of projects and events.
Talk over any problems or concerns with the advisor.
Remember that the responsibility for the success or failure of the group's projects rests ultimately with the group and not with the advisor.
Be clear and open about your expectations for you advisor's role.
Periodically evaluate your advisor and give appropriate feedback.

Interested in being a Student Organization advisor? Please fill out this form and we will contact you with more information!