Advisors

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Student organization advisors are integral to the success of student leaders, members and the overall organization. Below is information about eligibility, role and resources for advisors.

Watch our brief narrated video highlighting updates to our Role of the Advisor guidance.

Advisor Menu:

• The Role of the Advisor
• Support for Advisors
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Contact our team (will open an email window)

Role of the Advisor

The Ohio State University recognizes the significant value that faculty and staff advisors bring to the success, leadership development and operational effectiveness of registered student organizations. We also acknowledge the unique role the advisor plays and the critical importance of delineating between the responsibilities of the student leaders and members, and the contributions of the advisor. To assist faculty and staff in navigating their advisor roles, below is updated guidance regarding the role, scope and responsibilities of advisors.

Logistical Responsibilities

• Complete advisor training every two years.
• Complete the anti-hazing training module available on BuckeyeLearn or through stophazing.osu.edu. This module only needs to be completed once. 
• Submit online approval of the organization's registration every year.
  • This indicates that the advisor agrees to serve in that role for the coming year and agrees to the reporting responsibilities within the Campus Safety (Clery) Act.
• Submit online approval of the organization's goals every year.
• Submit online approval of any Council on Student Affairs (CSA) operating or programming funds requests initiated by the organization’s treasurer

Advisorship

• Advisors should ensure that the student organization remains controlled and directed by its student leaders in accordance with the organization’s constitution.
• Advisors should provide organizational continuity support such as:
  • Facilitating officer transition activities
  • Providing historical context for the organization
• Advisors should support the organization’s holistic organization development by:
  • Meeting individually with and mentoring organization leaders and members
  • Mediating inter-personal conflict
• Advisors should provide guidance and support on the organization’s operational needs by:
  • Attending organization meetings and events
  • Submitting requests for university email services and other technology
  • Consulting on the organization's budget
  • Assisting with interpreting university policies and processes for student organizations
  • Sharing university information with members
  • Reviewing organizational communications for professionalism
  • Assisting with the regular review of the student organization’s purpose statement and governing documents to ensure they are current and appropriately reflect the organization’s purpose, goals and relationship with the department / unit where applicable
• Advisors are not authorized to:
  • Make statements on behalf of The Ohio State University
  • Make decisions on behalf of the student organization
• Advisors are required to:
  • Follow applicable laws, regulations, university rules, policies and guidelines
  • Complete relevant reporting obligations

Advisors should encourage students to foster critical thinking skills that embrace multiple, divergent and varied perspectives on an extensive range of issues, allowing students to form their own conclusions.

University guidance on the implementation of Senate Bill 1, also known as the Advance Ohio Higher Education Act, includes some FAQs about student organizations, and will be a helpful resource throughout the year.

To supplement a conversation between the advisor and student leaders regarding the negotiable aspects of the advisor role, the Advisor/Organization Agreement is a resource that can be used to develop consensus and document expectations about the advisor's engagement with the organization. Discussing the advisor's depth of involvement with organization activities such as meetings, budgeting, and communications, for example, is a recommended annual practice. Use of the agreement is solely up to the organization and is not required, reviewed, nor overseen by the Student Organization Team. This document is different from the Indemnification Letter, linked below.

Support for Advisors

All advisors and co-advisors are invited to schedule time with our student org team for brief, informal, "office hours" style conversations. During these 20-minute appointments, advisors are invited to ask questions, consult about an issue, get help with the Management System, or whatever else might be needed.

Appointments can be booked directly online (alongside all other coaching services). To request a different time, contact studentorganizations@osu.edu. 

Frequently Asked Questions