Advisor Resources

Responsibilities of student organization advisors

Each registered Student Organization  is strongly encouraged to have at least one part-time or full-time TWU faculty/staff advisor. When faculty/staff accept the role of advisor to student organizations, they agree to accept certain responsibilities to the university. These include but are not limited to the following:

• Be certain that an authorized university representative (or advisor) is present at any activity involving travel or large events involving 100 or more persons;
• Be certain of the content and manner of all scheduled programs, so they are presented in a format congruent with university policies;
• Communicate and explain federal, state, and local regulations which are applicable to the functions and activities of the organization
• Meet with the Center for Student Development staff, as needed, to review and discuss any problems, ideas, or suggestions
• Maintain contact with relevant university officers and national organization officers if an affiliation exists;
• Authorize all renewal forms and risk management forms and policies
• Be aware of all scheduled events and preferably be in attendance.

Do you want to become an advisor for a student organization at TWU?

Please fill out the Student Organization Advisor Interest form if you would like to express interest in becoming an advisor in the future. We are collecting this list in hopes of connecting you to new or existing organizations looking to fill their advisor role.

Suggestions for advisors

Depending on the needs of a student organization, advisors typically serve multiple roles, including but not limited to the role of supervisor, follower, mentor, facilitator, and educator. Here are some best practices to consider when interacting with your students:

Do:

• Be knowledgeable about policies and serve as a resource
• Develop strong working relationships with officers and members
• Read the student organization’s constitution
• Empower students to take action in seeing the student organization succeed or fail
• Assist in resolving intragroup conflict
• Discuss concerns with officers in private; praise them in public

Don’t:

• Run the student organization meetings
• Be afraid to let the group try new ideas
• Assume veto power over group decisions
• Serve as primary recruiter for new members
• Step in to “solve” every problem
• Assume the organization doesn’t require your guidance and assistance

Additional advisor resources

American College Personnel Association (ACPA) Advisor Manual (pdf)

Resources

Important Forms:

Tier I Risk Management Organization Training

Tier II Student Organization Risk Management Training

Student Organization Risk Management Policy

Advisor Onlline Risk Management Training

 

 

 

Page last updated 10:06 AM, December 5, 2022