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Advising Overview

Advising Overview

Who Can Become an Advisor

An organization advisor is a Texas Wesleyan University full-time faculty or staff member, who advises a student organization, serves as a resource, provides an educational experience for the individual members, and serves the Texas Wesleyan University community by functioning as a Texas Wesleyan University representative. Undergraduate and or graduate students may NOT advise student organizations.

A registered student organization’s advisor must:

  • Represent the interests of Texas Wesleyan University at meetings and activities of the registered student organization with regard to compliance with regulations and policies;
  • Provide guidance regarding the operation of the registered student organization and its activities
  • Participate in the risk management program in their first year of advising a registered student organization, if required by this policy. An organization advisor is only required to attend the program one time, but organization advisors are encouraged to attend annually with the required representatives of their student organization
  • Participate in annual Clery training provided by Texas Wesleyan University and understand the obligation to report crimes as outlined by the Clery Act.

In the event that an organization advisor is removed or resigns, a new advisor shall be selected within 15 business days and reported to Student Engagement.

Advisor Responsibilities

The following responsibilities should be kept in mind when advising student organizations:

  • Responsibility to the individual group members
  • Responsibility to the student organization
  • Responsibility to the institution— Texas Wesleyan University

Responsibility to the Individual Group Members

  • Help the students find a balance between their academic pursuits and co-curricular activities
  • Encourage individuals to participate in and plan organization events.
  • Encourage students to accept responsibility for specific roles within the group. 

Responsibility to the Student Organization

  • Help the students develop realistic goals, strategic planning, and training for the academic year
  • Be aware of plans and programs the organization has planned, and inform them of institutional policies
  • Be available to regularly meet with organization officers and some members
  • Encourage teamwork
  • Be familiar with the student organization, its history, and constitution in order to provide continuity in the organization
  • Offer ideas for projects and programs
  • Assist in organization evaluation

Responsibility to the Institution—Texas Wesleyan University

  • Work with the student organization, but do not direct its activities
  • Help the organization during an emergency

Adapted from the Resources and Policy Manual, Virginia Commonwealth University

10 Guidelines of Effective Advising

  1. Be an educator and a challenger
  2. Know or help develop the goals of the organization
  3. Know the members of the organization and their needs
  4. Be sincerely committed to the organization
  5. Be available and approachable
  6. Provide appropriate feedback
  7. Guide the organization to success—share in successes and failures
  8. Be open to learning yourself
  9. Know resources available
  10. Have FUN!