Letter of Position: Center for Campus Life Student Organization Advisor

Congratulations on agreeing to serve as an advisor for a Center for Campus Life recognized Club/Student Organization for the 2023-20234 academic year. You are undertaking a valuable responsibility in promoting the role student organizations can play in developing student skills and confidence. Serving as an advisor to a student organization provides opportunities to:

~Motivate and challenge students;
~Better know and understand students outside the classroom;
~See students successfully apply skills learned in the classroom;
~Meet and work with leaders from the community and our campus in planning student programs;
~Meet professionally and socially with other instructors involved in similar activities; and
~Work with students from diverse backgrounds.

A recognized student organization is any student club, a cappella group, or fraternity and sorority which has been officially recognized by the Center for Campus Life. Student organizations may exist on campus without official recognition but will not be eligible for Center for Campus Life recognition benefits or considered a subsidy of RIT. Recognized student organizations must be open and available to any RIT student. RIT does not discriminate. RIT promotes and values diversity within co-curricular engagement and provides equal opportunity to all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, creed, age, marital status, sex, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, veteran status, or disability.

The organization you are advising is considered an affiliated of the Center for Campus Life and you will be expected to advise your organization's programs and/or activities accordingly. The organization constitution and bylaws, Club Handbook, FSL Guidelines (as appropriate), the Student Code of Conduct, and the RIT Policies and Procedures are a few of the resources which define appropriate organization conduct.

Your Role: The role of a student organization advisor is a complex one. Advisors work with students who possess unique personalities from a variety of cultural backgrounds and help those students come together to form a cohesive group. An advisor can be a counselor, teacher, coordinator, supervisor, elevator, resource person, and public relations agent. An enthusiastic, organized, and well-informed advisor is essential to a successful student organization. The tasks involved in advising a student organization are diverse. To effectively advise an organization, you may want to:

ÔÇó Make a commitment to the organization for a certain period of time each week;
ÔÇó Familiarize yourself with the goals, procedures, and school policies pertaining to student organizations;
ÔÇó Encourage and stimulate the involvement of all students;
ÔÇó Assist students in developing an understanding of group process and leadership skills;
ÔÇó Assist students in setting goals and developing plans for achieving those goals;
ÔÇó Encourage teamwork and cooperation among members;
ÔÇó Ensure that members contributions and accomplishments are recognized.

Your Responsibilities: It is a compliment to be asked to serve as an advisor. It is also a significant responsibility because the advisor is acting on behalf of the University in the event of an accident, injury, or disciplinary situation. To serve the students well requires time and energy. Advisors must be available on campus to lend assistance and attend functions of the organization.

Advisors are expected to:
1. Be thoroughly familiar with the nature and objectives of the organization.
2. Read the Center for Campus Life Club Handbook and be familiar with the policies and procedures associated with the center.
3. Attend meetings as available.
4. Assure sound financial and business practices that comply with state and university policies regarding the expenditure of organization funds.
5. Monitor good record keeping of all events, meetings, and plans. Any activity involving the exchange of money is particularly important and must meet university requirements for accountability and state auditing.
6. Be a resource person for the organization. Serve as a liaison with other campus offices and staff.

Advisors are required to be full-time employees at the University.

As outlined in Policy C.27, university employees have a duty to report any instances of gender-based discrimination or sexual misconduct to the Title IX coordinator. Both officers and members of student organizations are responsible for abiding by university policies as well as state, and federal laws. Organization advisors are also encouraged to be active in monitoring adherence to all university policies and laws.

Organization bylaws and/or constitutions DO NOT supersede university policy or state or federal law.

As an organization advisor and representative of the University: it is recommended that you will:
1. It is recommended that you attend and assist with, as available, programs and activities sponsored by the organization.
2. It is recommended that you encourage members to participate in Campus Life hosted program (All Clubs Meeting, Title IX Training).
3. It is recommended that you develop a positive, collaborative working relationship with the Center for Campus Life staff.
4. Conduct yourself professionally and model effective leadership behaviors.
5. Maintain confidentiality of student records in accordance with RIT Policy;
6. Comply with University rules and regulations;
7. Comply with state ethics rules and regulations.


Congratulations, once again, on accepting a role as a Center for Campus Life Student Organization Advisor and thank you for your dedication!