Advisors

What is a club advisor?

Advisors are experienced faculty or staff members who formally mentor club officers in their club activities, vision and goals. They enable students to connect over passions and interests through a club experience. Student Organization Advisors serve as a bridge between the University and student organizations to create a cohesive and holistic experience both inside and outside of the classroom. Advisors play an active role in guiding students in their pursuit of leadership development, connecting students to resources, and positively impact the overall well-being of the students they serve.

Why should I become an advisor?

Advising student organizations offers a uniquely rewarding experience. It allows faculty and staff to engage with students in a different, more personal context. Advisors play a key role in supporting students’ personal growth and involvement on campus, often serving as mentors. This role also provides opportunities to build connections with university colleagues and engage with students and groups who share similar interests and passions.

What are the main roles of advising?

Advisors play a vital role within a club or organization. While some groups may seek your regular involvement in their day-to-day operations, others may prefer a more hands-off, supportive approach. Regardless of the level of engagement, your guidance and presence significantly influence the group’s overall functioning and success.

Roles an advisor takes within a group are:

  • Assisting student leaders in building camaraderie within the group and assisting with any challenging group dynamics
  • Provide professional knowledge related to the club’s stated interests and purposes
  • Serving as the first point of contact with GCU regarding issues within the club that are brought to the attention of either the Student Engagement Office or the Dean of Students Office
  • Reporting important issues (i.e. Code of Conduct Violations, Hazing, Risk Management issues) to appropriate University authorities.
Who can be an advisor?

Each organization must have a faculty/staff advisor. Faculty/staff advisors are defined as individuals (faculty, staff, or administrator) who is employed full time at GCU. Adjunct professors or any part time personnel are able to serve as secondary advisors. 

 Graduate students and GCE employees are not eligible for this role.

Do’s and Don’ts

Advisors utilize “best judgement” and obide by their ethical guidelines in accordance with their affiliation with GCU and their respective roles. The following points offer a framework for being an advisor

What Advisors Should :

  • Recognize Student Leadership: Understand that clubs and organizations are student-led. Your role is to support their development of leadership, management, and critical thinking skills.
  • Foster Constructive Dialogue: Encourage student members to engage in meaningful discussions related to the club’s mission, and offer guidance or input when appropriate.
  • Build Relationships & Set Expectations/boundaries: Develop strong, respectful working relationships with student leaders. Clearly establish mutual expectations between yourself and the group.
  • Stay Involved and Informed: Maintain regular communication with student leaders. Attend meetings as agreed upon and outlined in the club’s rules and bylaws.
  • Understand the Framework: Familiarize yourself with the club’s Constitution and Bylaws, and ensure student leaders operate within these guiding documents.
  • Preserve Club History: Help onboard new members and leaders by sharing the history, mission, and purpose of the club.
  • Proactively Address Issues: Work collaboratively with student leaders to address internal challenges. If needed, relay concerns to ASUA or the Dean of Students Office in a timely manner.
  • Support Event Planning: Assist students in organizing large events, ensuring they follow all relevant University policies and procedures by coordinating with University staff.
  • Be involved in the stewardship and management of finances as needed.
  • Ensure Smooth Leadership Transitions: Help outgoing and incoming executive teams transition effectively by ensuring key information (e.g., social media logins, financial records) is transferred properly.

What Advisors Should Not :

  • Avoid Passive Involvement: Don’t just sign forms and assume everything else is handled. Stay engaged with the group’s operations and activities.
  • Remain Uninformed: Don’t be unaware of important matters, especially those involving travel, speaker policies, or large events.
  • Overstep Boundaries: Avoid inserting yourself into club decisions unless invited by the student leaders or members.
  • Push Personal Agendas: Don’t dominate discussions or impose your opinions—remember, student organizations are run by students.
  • Do All the Work: Let students take the lead on club registration, event planning, and financial processes. Support without taking over.
  • Ignore Communication: Always respond to messages and requests from student leaders or members in a timely and respectful manner.
  • Withhold Serious Concerns: If there are any signs of hazing, bullying, harassment, or other misconduct, report them immediately to the Dean of Students Office.
  • Make Unwarranted Threats: Never threaten to withdraw recognition or funding from a club if its leaders are acting within their governing documents and membership consensus. Only ASUA has the authority to recognize student organizations.