Student Organization

Advisor Manual

Office of Student Activities

Wright State University

From the Office of Student Activities:

All registered student organizations at Wright State University are required to have an advisor who is a WSU faculty or staff member.  The Office of Student Activities appreciates the time and energy that advisors give to the student organizations. We are available to assist you as an advisor.  Please call if we can help you: 775-5570.

 

A student organization advisor’s primary concern should be to assist in the development of our students at the group and individual levels.  Not only will an advisor be asked to meet the University’s expectations, but also serve as friends, counselors, allies, liaisons, etc.  This is a very influential position with our students.  It is a chance to put the knowledge they are obtaining in class to work – an opportunity for them to develop leadership skills, ethical decision-making skills, and creativity.

 

The total scope of the advisor is determined in part by the advisor.  He/she must decide the level of priority the organization will be given.  Family commitments, time constraints, teaching load, research, community work, etc. are all considerations.  Remember, not all years will be good ones with the organization.  An advisor should feel that the intrinsic rewards are sufficient to merit the time and energy that are put forth for the organization.

 

WHY ADVISE?

Advising provides the opportunity to contribute to the growth and development of students.  As an advisor, you will have the duty to see that the experiences that occur within the organization are meaningful and provide an atmosphere for the members to learn and evaluate.  Advising also gives the opportunity to teach – to broaden a person’s understanding, to help the person examine a problem from several different points of view, and to place the problem in context.  It is not surprising to learn that behind every successful student organization is an advisor who is involved with the organization.  The following are a few more reasons why a faculty or staff member should be involved in serving as a student organization advisor.

 

·        Satisfaction in seeing the student organization become successful and in seeing the students develop self-confidence

·        Ability to make a difference in students’ lives

·        Ability to learn from students and to know what is going on in their own world

·        Ability to see student implement what has been learned in the classroom

·        Satisfaction in seeing that the student organization builds character, trust, and dependability.

 

WHAT THE ORGANIZATION MAY EXPECT OF ADVISORS

·   Believe in the organization and manifest the enthusiasm necessary to help the organization reach its potential

·   Understand the organization, be aware of its purposes and assist in formulating goals

·   Assist in the development of procedures and methods for maintaining an effective organization

·   Assist in matters of University procedures

·   Assist membership in improving leadership skills

·   Serve as a liaison with the university when necessary

·   Guide the organization in planning activities and programs

·   Encourage and support in periods of trial

·   Serve, as needed, as an arbitrator or impartial observer

·   Participate in the meetings and events of the organization to the greatest extent possible.

 

WHAT THE ADVISOR MAY EXPECT OF OFFICERS

 

·   Keep the advisor informed as to all organizational activities, meeting times, locations, and agendas

·   Meet regularly with the advisor and discuss all plans and problems.

·   Develop and use good records and sound financial procedures,

·   Provide minutes of meetings, as well as any other materials that are sent to members.

·   Make no commitments for the advisor without his/her consent

·   Do not assume the advisor will continue to serve as advisor for the succeeding year unless the advisor has agreed to this

 

WHAT THE UNIVERSITY EXPECTS OF ADVISOR

 

·   To be the liaison between the student organization and the Office of Student Activities

·   Do not accept the position of advisor or continue to serve as an advisor if he/she is not prepared to fulfill the expectations of such.

·   Assume the role of advisor as a volunteer, but uphold the best interests of the university and organization.

·   Currently and continually employed as a full-time faculty or administrative staff at Wright State University

·   Do all that is possible to assure that the organization will take reasonable precautions in its activities in order that policies and laws not be violated, and the welfare of individuals not be endangered.

·   Participate in the organization to the fullest extent without actually making decisions or setting policies for the organization.

 

 

WORKING WITH STUDENT OFFICERS

 

Your relationship with the organization’s officers is one of high importance. Besides helping train new officers and facilitating the transition of information, records, and ideas, you will be asked to interpret universities policies and procedures, assist with group organization and function, aid in event planning, and attend the organization’s activities and special events.  Offer yourself as a resource.  Make suggestions that will permit the officers to see other points of view and help them improve their leadership skills.  If the officers ask “What should we do?” rephrase and hand the question back to them. Assist them, but do not solve their problems. Keep the line of communication open.

 

 

 

PLANNING AND REGISTERING EVENTS

It is the responsibility of the every student organization to register all events with the Office of Student Activities. You must be present for the duration of a high level event or designate a substitute who must be a member of the faculty or staff.  Watch for over delegation, poor planning, and/or over spending that may result in postponing or canceling the event.  It is highly recommended that you attend any and all activities sponsored by the organization at which alcohol will be served.

 

ATTENDING MEETINGS AND LEVEL OF INVOLVEMENT

 

The level of involvement of an advisor depends on the organization and its leaders.  Attendance at every meeting may not be necessary, but is the best way to stay informed of the activities of the organization.  When attending meetings, your role is to be a resource person and chief supporter of the group.  Always remember you are not the leader and should not run the meeting.  An advisor should facilitate discussion, offer objective points of view, present alternative solutions to problems, and encourage the organization and its leaders.  When attending the group activities you are letting the organization know you are interested in their work.

 

 

ADVISING TECHNIQUES

·   Generally, the advisors’ contact with the organization will take place in three settings:

1.      working with student officers

2.      aiding in the planning and registration of activities

3.      attending meetings and group activities

 

·   The following is a list of do’s and don’ts for those interactions

DO:

§         Allow the group to succeed and fail.

      Give students a chance to work through problems without interference.  When   they succeed, it will encourage them to be involved in other activities; when        they fail, they will learn valuable lessons in planning and responsibility

§         Know your limits as an advisor

      You are an advisor, not a member of the organization.  Not everything is your    responsibility; not everything that goes wrong is your fault.

§         Be visible

      Your presence at meetings and events lets the group know the university cares   about them as people and productive members of an organization.

§         Be consistent with your actions.

      Fairness in advising is critical.  Make sure you remain objective

 

 

 

§         Teach leadership

      Leadership is the most important skill organization members learn through          their involvement in the group. By teaching leadership, the group ensures     strength in replenishing members and smooth transition between officers.

§         Keep your sense of humor

      Perspective is important in dealing with organization problems.

DON’T

§         Control the group

§         Manipulate the group

§         Take ownership of the group

§         Close communication

§         Be afraid to let the group fail

§         Know it all

§         Take everything seriously

§         Say “I told you so.”

§         Be the leader

 

EIGHT CHARACTERISTICS OF A SUCCESSFUL ORGANIZATION

1. Organization members know each other well
2. Members are involved in defining organizational purposes
3. Members are used to help generate ideas
4. There is a commitment to group decision-making
5. Skills, resources, and liabilities of the organization and community are identified.
6. Systematic problem solving techniques are used
7. The organization effectively communicates itself and its purpose to members and the community.
8. The organization participates in periodic evaluation and assessment.

 

 

SYMPTOMS OF A HEALTHY AND UNHEALTHY GROUP

 

A group is healthy when:

 

1. All members feel comfortable saying what they think.
2. Decisions are worked through until a general consensus of agreement is reached.
3. Well-informed members contribute their ideas in the area of their competence.
4. The whole group handles questions that concern the whole group.
5. Major issues get major time.
6. Major issues invoke mature approaches to change.
7. Minor issues are settled with the attention they deserve.
8. Decision reached through participation is final and satisfactory.
9. Members really understand one another’s ideals, plans, and proposals.
10. The group carries forward in the performance of tasks and the achievement of goals.
11. The group is solution oriented.
12. Rewards and feedback are shared.

 

 

A group is unhealthy when:

 

1. A few members do all the talking.
2. Most members mumble agreement.
3. Competent people sit by silently.
4. Decision making is quickly referred to committees.
5. New people with good ideas are not listened to.
6. Minor issues consume the major time.
7. Minor and simple issues make people seethe and boil.
8. Major issues are passed over.
9. The same subjects, supposedly settled, keep coming up again.
10. Quick judgments are passed on issues people do not understand.
11. Members subjectively talk about people in a scapegoating manner.
12. The group accomplishes little in absence of the chairperson.
13. The group avoids change
14. Rewards and criticism are concentrated on a few.

 

 

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Contact Numbers

 

Office of Student Activities

Main: 775-5570   fax: 775-5573

Office Assistant: 775-5570

Account Clerk: 775-5574

http://wright.edu/studentactivities/

 

Greek Affairs

775-5570

House of Representatives

Speaker of the House: 775-5504

 

Room Reservations

775-5521

 

Sodexho

775-5630

 

Wright Copy

775-5784