Update

Ohio State is in the process of revising websites and program materials to accurately reflect compliance with the law. While this work occurs, language referencing protected class status or other activities prohibited by Ohio Senate Bill 1 may still appear in some places. However, all programs and activities will be administered in compliance with the law as of June 27, 2025.

Office of Student Life

Student Activities

Advisors

Login to Student Organization Management

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:

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.
  • 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.

Advisor Indemnification

Student organization advisors assume some level of risk when agreeing to be the advisor. An indemnification letter template is available for any student organization advisor to officially recognize their role as advisor. The letter should be signed by the advisor's supervisor, printed on university letterhead and uploaded to the Student Organization Management System under "advisor approvals." A copy of the letter should also be kept for your personal records. Download the Indemnification Letter Template (.docx) here.

Additional guidance on advisor roles and responsibilities will be provided through bi-annual training, website resources and other updates.

Risk Management Recommendations

Hazing Prevention and Risk Reduction

As a student organization advisor, you play a critical role in shaping a safe, welcoming, and accountable student experience at Ohio State. Regardless of the type of student organization you advise, your guidance helps students make informed decisions, uphold community standards, and reduce risk. This page is here to support you in that role - especially when it comes to hazing prevention and risk reduction. 

What is Risk Reduction?

Risk Reduction refers to proactive steps that minimize potential harm to individuals, organizations, and the university. Advisors are in a unique position to:

  • Identify potential areas of concern early
  • Encourage responsible planning and decision-making
  • Reinforce expectations around safety
  • Serve as a bridge between students and campus resources

Types of Risk in Student Organizations

Understanding the various forms of risk can help support your organization. As an advisor, you're in a key position to help students recognize and reduce the following risks:

  1. Physical Risk - activities that may cause bodily harm or injury to participants
    • ex: Sporting events, physical challenges, travel, unsafe facilities, substance-related incidents
  2. Emotional and Psychological Risk - situations that can lead to mental or emotional distress
    • ex: Hazing, peer pressure, exclusion, public humiliation
  3. Reputational Risk - actions that can harm the image of the organization
    • ex: Offensive social media posts, inappropriate behavior at events
  4. Financial Risk - poor financial mismanagement of unapproved spending that could impact an organization's sustainability
    • ex: budget misuse, lack of transparency, fundraising mishandling
  5. Operational/Organizational Risk - risk related to leadership transitions, poor planning, or communication breakdowns
    • ex: unclear roles, misinformation, failure to follow university procedures

Risk Consultation

Students and advisors can schedule an appointment to gain insights into creating an organizational culture that embraces best practices for student involvement, health and well-being.  This includes anti-hazing discussions. These appointments are scheduled directly with the Risk Reduction Specialist

Request Risk Reduction Workshop

Interactive workshops are available by request and can be customized to fit your group's needs. Whether you're looking to raise awareness, spark conversation, or strenghten your group's culture, we'll work with you to create a meaningful learning experience. These sessions explore topics such as:

  • Risk Management 101
  • Hazing Prevention and Education
  • Risk Recognition and Mitigation
  • Bystander Intervention

Interested in hosting a workshop? Complete the Risk Reduction Workshop Request

Advisor Risk Reduction Checklist

Use this quick guide to help reduce risk and reinforce student safety:

  • Review your organization's constitution and event plans
  • Encourage early planning
  • Check for any activities that could be high-risk or misunderstood
  • Familiarize yourself with reporting expectations
  • Maintain regular, open communication with your student leaders
  • Know when to escalate concerns to Student Activities or Risk Reduction personnel

Reporting Hazing

Under Collin's Law: Ohio's Anti-Hazing Act, faculty and staff - including student organization advisors, must report knowledge of a hazing incident to law enforcement and the university. Failure to report hazing can result in criminal charges under Ohio law, including misdemeanor penalties for non-reporting by mandated reporters such as faculty and staff advisors. 

  1. Local law enforcement
    • OSU Police Non-Emergency: 614-292-2121
    • Columbus Police Non-Emergency: 614-645-4545
  2. Ohio State's hazing reporting system: go.osu.edu/reporthazing

Collin's Law Anti-Hazing Training

All students must complete this educational program before participating in any Ohio State activity, sport, club or organization. If you serve as an advisor, coach, consultant, or volunteer to a student organization or student group, you must complete this educational program as directed by the university in accordance with Collin's Law. You can complete the educational program at go.osu.edu/collinslawtraining or search Collin's Law Training on BuckeyeLearn. 

Policies and Expectations

Contact

Need help navigating a concern, preparing a difficult conversation, or reporting a potential issue? We're here to support you.

  • Contact: Jaylen Lindsey, Risk Reduction Specialist
  • Department: Risk and Emergency Managment
  • Email: lindsey.274@osu.edu 

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) and are offered Mondays from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. To request a different time, contact Brooke Olson at olson.276@osu.edu.

Advisor Events

Learn more about these programs and sign up at go.osu.edu/AdvisorPrograms.

Advisor Appreciation Breakfast

Thursday, September 25, 2025

9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. – Ohio Union Great Hall Meeting Room

Advisor Appreciation Lunch

Spring 2026 TBD

11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. - Ohio Union Great Hall Meeting Room

REACH Training

TBD

Frequently Asked Questions

Advisor Eligibility

There are two types of advisors: primary advisors and co-advisors.

  • The primary advisor is listed in the online organization directory and is responsible for completing annual registration renewal requirements as well as serving as the main university liaison to the student organization. Any faculty or administrative/professional (A&P) staff may serve as the primary advisor for a student organization.
  • A co-advisor is an additional supporting individual to the organization who does not take on any requirements dictated by Student Activities and can be any of the following designations: faculty, A&P staff, CCS staff, faculty emeritus, graduate students, alumni, or community members.

Primary advisors may serve in this role for up to three (3) different student organizations at any one time.

Interested in Becoming An Advisor?

Advisors are highly valued in the student organization community. An organization cannot complete registration requirements without an advisor, and the supporting relationship that an advisor has with the organization can be incredibly transformative to a student's experience. 

We are always looking for faculty and staff who are willing to contribute their time and talents to serving as a student organization advisor. We would be happy to connect you with student organizations in need of an advisor.

I'm interested

Student organization leaders are responsible for recruiting/selecting their advisor. There are many ways to be successful in finding an advisor. Consider reaching out to your existing networks of faculty and staff. Seek individuals with similar academic backgrounds or interest areas. Connect with similar student organizations for advice and networking. Contact Student Activities staff at csls@osu.edu for additional suggestions.

Resources and Programs for Advisors

Student Organization Management System

Advisors can access the Student Organziation Management System using their name.# to login. This system allows advisors to view organization information, submit required approvals (registration, goals, funding requests) and access online recertification training. For a tutorial about how to access and use the advisor features of the management system, please refer to this video.
 

Advisor Breakfast

All advisors and co-advisors are invited to attend our Advisor Breakfast each semester. This is an opportunity to connect with fellow advisors, your student org team, and your student leaders. Advisors are encouraged to invite up to 2 student leaders to attend with them. Visit our Programming webpage for details about upcoming activities and to register.
 

Student Organization Resources

Our team has compiled a list of resources that are available to registered student organizations, which is a good place to start if you are looking for resources that you can recommend the students take advantage of. 

Basic resources we encourage you to recommend are: