Advisors,

Thank you for taking the time to advise a student club! Below you can find some guidelines and helpful tips. The following information is an accumulation of St. Scholastica procedures as well as guidance from the
ACPA Student Involvement Advisor Manual.

The role of an advisor is greatly appreciated by Student Activities as well as the St. Scholastica community, who benefit from your hard work, dedication, and involvement. An advisor accepts responsibility for keeping informed about activities of the organization on the appropriateness and general merits of policies and activities. Advisors are responsible for guiding, advising, and helping the group to fulfill their mission, live out the Benedictine Values, and adhere to school guidelines and policies. However, ultimately, the students are group are responsible for their actions and decisions.

Responsibilities of an Advisor

Represent the College

  • Be an employee of the College (faculty or staff) during the semester of advisement
  • Advise student clubs to adhere to the Benedictine Values in their words, programs, and actions
  • Advise student clubs to adhere to the college policies, guidelines, and the Student Code of Conduct

Provide Guidance and Advice to Clubs Regarding Operating/Planning

  • The advisor should be familiar with the operations of the club, including their mission/purpose. and the culture of meetings
  • Facilitate and support student learning, as the students develop their leadership skills and learn to do the work of running a club/org
  • Go to a few events a year
  • Provide advice and suggestions as appropriate towards planning of club activities and action through personal interaction and involvement in the club.
  • The advisor can play a significant role in the development of student leaders. This involves advising about recruitment, effective meetings, event planning, and conflict resolution.

Communicate Regularly with Club Leaders

  • Meet with club leaders regularly. This will change depending on the nature of each club (bi-weekly or monthly meetings are typical)
  • Attend AT LEAST one club meeting per semester
  • Stay informed of the actions and decisions of the club
  • All travel outside a 50-mile radius of the Duluth campus must be approved through you

Year-to-Year Transitions

  • The advisor plays a vital role in the continuity of club management as transitions between officers and member occur from year-to-year. An advisor can assist in orientating new officers and ensure that responsibilities and requirements of clubs are being met while undergoing leadership transitions.

Financial Oversight

  • The advisor should assist in budget development, oversee club expenditures, and ensure that students are using the tuition-derived SGA funds appropriately and practicing respectful stewardship
  • Advisors are the responsible person for signing approval for club reimbursements of funds spent
  • Follow Purchasing Card and Cash Advance policies and procedures to ensure policies are implemented when taking in money for events or for expenditures
  • Assist in the club budgeting process and review the budgetary proposal for the following academic year

Tips for Advising

  • Decide and clearly communicate how much or little you'll be involved with the club leadership - each group and each cohort is different
  • Be visible and choose to attend group meetings, in a non-overbearing way
  • Know your group's limits. Help your students find a balance between their involvement and academic responsibiities. It is a student club, so please always remember they are students first.
  • Keep your enthusiasm and sense of humor throughout the year, Share creative ideas and give suggestions to keep up involvement.
  • Be consistent, involved, and serve as a resource
  • Encourage feedback and evaluation of club activities/events.
  • Encourage students to reflect and record what they learned, what they liked, and what they'd do differently in the future.

The Director of Student Activities, Kaitie Selleck, is also a resource for you. She can be your first place to get help, advice, or support in your role as Club Advisor.
The Student Activities Office is located in Student Center 213. Kaitie's Office is in Student Center 213.

Kaitie can be reached by email at kselleck@css.edu or by telephone at 218-723-6147.