Thank you for serving as a Student Organization Advisor! You are helping to make the UW Bothell a strong and vibrant community.
We in the Office of Student Life recognize that being a Student Organization Advisor can be a very rewarding and sometimes challenging experience. Therefore, we have provided some resources and tips to aid you in your role as an advisor.
Advising Student Groups (.pdf) - by Norb Dunkel
The Who, What, When and Why of being an Advisor
WHO? Who can be an advisor?
Advisors are full time faculty or staff at the University of Washington Bothell, who have been selected by students to be their adviser. Ideally an Advisor has a knowledge or interest in the topic of the club and can offer advice and/or guidance.
WHAT? What do they do?
The Office of Student Life handles all of the paperwork and monies for events with the students through the on-line (SOAP) Student Planning Form.
Advisor Expectations:
- Act as a source of general information regarding University policies and procedures.
- Assist in determining realistic goals and evaluation of the progress toward those goals.
- Assist with new officer orientation.
- Attend club meetings, as needed.
- Be available for consultation with student officers and club members.
- Be aware of the club’s history and purpose in order to provide long-term continuity within the group.
- Be informed of clubs plans and activities, and attend events as needed.
- Provide opportunity for members to gain experience in leadership and interpersonal relationships.
Examples of Support
In the Fall students need support to begin having regular meetings and starts the planning process. A great way advisors can help, is to aid the group in setting goals at the beginning of the year. (ie. - we want to hold weekly meetings and plan a food drive in October) and then meeting with the officers of the club. But in the end, every student organization is for the students, by the students so as advisors we try to encourage, but it is up to the students to take the reins and run the club and meetings!
WHEN? When should I do advisor things?
Check out this sample yearly plan.
WHY? Why have faculty and staff members act as the advisor for the club?
The UWB asks Student Organizations to have a full-time faculty or staff member to act as their advisor for multiple reasons, here are just a few:
1. We want the student group to feel connected to the University
2. Hopefully you as an Advisor are excited about the topic of your club and can offer advice and/or guidance
3. As an advisor you can often keep students motivated to continue meeting, working towards their goals or just thriving as a student group
4. Sometime a group needs a neutral party to help work through situations
5. We want you to have the opportunity to work with our wonderful students in an extracurricular setting.
10 things to get you started as an advisor!