Responsibilities to the Student Organization

1.  The advisor should assist the group in developing realistic goals for the academic year. This will contribute to the educational and personal development of the students involved. The advisor must take an active role, rendering advice and counsel as circumstances dictate.

2.  The advisor should be aware of all plans and activities of the group and inform the group that institutional policies may affect these plans. The advisor should see that the group and its officers know where policies are listed, what the policies are, why they exist, and the channels to be followed for changes, revisions, or exceptions to policies. Policies are listed in the Student Organization GuidebookQuestions concerning the interpretation or application of policies and regulations pertaining to student organizations can be answered by CCI.

3.  The advisor should discourage dominance of the group by any one individual and should encourage quieter students to take initiative.

4.   The advisor should provide continuity within the group and should be familiar with the group's history and constitution. Membership turnover in student organizations is high and often the only link with the immediate past is the advisor. The advisor can steer group members clear of mistakes and help them avoid the proverbial "reinventing of the wheel". Serving as the group's memory and continuity link, the advisor can help new officers build on history and develop long-term plans for the future of the organization.

5.  The advisor should offer ideas for projects and events. The advisor will perform his/her greatest service by providing opportunities for the students to exercise initiative and judgment and to enjoy a proper measure of autonomy in self-directed social, educational, recreational, cultural, and spiritual  activities. He or she should not dominate the program planning process.

6.   The advisor should assist the group in evaluation. This includes evaluating individual programs as well as doing a complete evaluation at the end of the academic year. The advisor must be willing to give constructive criticism when necessary and offer words of praise for work well done.