Student Organization Advisors

Minimum Qualifications

Student Senate policy states that all student organization advisers must be full-time permanent members of the Wittenberg faculty or professional staff. Student organizations may have other advisers as well, but their official university adviser must meet this qualification. Senate policy further states that, at a minimum, all student organization advisers must agree to work with group members to ensure that the organization operates within university regulations, policies and procedures, and that it abides by all applicable laws. There is one exception to the first guideline above: the advisers to The Torch and WUSO do not have to be full-time university faculty or staff. Instead, they are required to have professional knowledge and experience relating to newspaper and radio station operations, respectively.

The Responsibilities of a Student Organization Adviser

Wittenberg University suggests that student organization advisers accept the following responsibilities in their work with student organizations. Advisers should:

•  Recognize and support participation in the organization because of its contributions to the educational and personal development of students;

•  Encourage group members to keep academics as their first priority and maintain a healthy balance of curricular and co-curricular activities;

•  Work with student organizations, but should not direct nor dictate their programs or activities. Advisers should be frank, however, in offering suggestions, considerations, or ideas for the group's activities;

•  Keep themselves informed about the plans and activities of the group, recognizing, however, that the students in the group are responsible for facilitating communication;

•  Attend as many meetings and activities of the group as possible;

•  Meet regularly with the officers of the organization, especially the president;

•  Meet periodically with the entire membership;

•  Serve as a link to the University administration and as a resource person for the group;

•  Be aware of the goals and directions of the organization and help the group evaluate its progress toward achieving these goals;

•  Provide continuity for the group from semester-to-semester and year-to-year. The advisor often serves as the memory of the organization;

•  Be familiar with the constitution and bylaws of the organization and be prepared to assist with their interpretation;

•  Assist with orienting new officers and developing the leadership skills of group members;

•  Understand and communicate university regulations, policies, and procedures;

•  Sign off on vehicle request forms for the Transportation Office (Motor Pool);

•  Be aware of the general financial condition of the group and encourage the keeping of accurate financial records;

•  Be prepared to deal with major problems or emergencies within the organization;

•  Confirm their continued willingness to serve in the role of adviser by signing the group's Organization Registration Form each year.

Authorizing Student Organization Purchases

The Director of Student Activities, Jon Duraj, is responsible for authorizing all expenditures from student organization accounts. Carol Preston, Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life will authorize expenditures only for the Interfraternity Council, Panhellenic Council, Greek Week, and Greek honorary organizations. This includes signing all purchase requisitions and check requests. Advisers are asked not to sign these forms on behalf of the organization. Please see section 8 of this guidebook for further financial information.

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