Advisor Resources

Advising is a developmental process. Advisors share ideas, give a varied perspective, and facilitate life-long learning for academic, personal, and professional development. An advisor serves as a support person, a role model for students, providing a sense of direction for the student organization, and promoting student and faculty/staff interaction in, and out of, the classroom.
An advisor also provides the support necessary for the student leaders to build, and maintain, a successful organization. An advisor provides continuity and keeps RSO members and the campus community informed of the history of the organization. The advisor does not control the RSO, and does not make all the decisions for the students, but instead provides a balanced perspective so students can make informed decisions.

A regular employee of the university willing to assist the organization. An employee is considered “regular” if they are a Long-Term Commitment ≥ 9 Months and ≥ 75% FTE employee. Most PHD students do not have this status. 

 A few of the expectations of an advisor include:

• Maintaining regular contact and involvement with the officers of their RSO. The exact time commitment is up to you.
• Being knowledgeable about the missions, goals, and purpose of the RSO
• Helping the group uphold Michigan Tech’s policies and guidelines
• Being familiar and involved with activities and events of the RSO
• Providing resources and support for events and usage of spaces
• Assisting with the administration of the financial affairs of the group

Advisors take on different responsibilities depending on the needs of their organization. Advisors and student organizations should make needs and expectations known at the start of their partnership and establish regular times and means of communication early on. Some advisors are more involved in organizational planning and problem-solving, while others take more of a step back. It is important to remember that an advisor is NOT a supervisor. Here are some common roles of advisors:

• Mentor
• Role model
• Educator
• Institutional policy interpreter
• Resource
• Brainstorming Partner
• Liaison between the organization and university administration

Advisors must be full-time faculty or staff members of Michigan Technological University.

• Satisfaction of seeing and helping students learn and develop new skills
• Increased student interaction
• Personal development and growth in an area of interest through choosing to be involved with a club you're interested in
• Sharing your knowledge with others
• Helping diverse groups of students work toward common goals
• Taking part in exciting and meaningful student activities outside of the classroom or office environment

• What protection is provided to advisors at Michigan Tech?
  • University employees, including Registered Student Organization Advisors, are covered by insurance for actions taken within the scope of their duties.