[Deanna Cahoon-Draus]

Hi Shauna!

• We require all student organizations have one faculty or staff member as an advisor
• In our semester email to advisors, I sent out the list below on ideal vs expected expectations of advisors
• On our campus, it seems like most successful faculty are doing it because they either like it or because of tenure implications. We’ve tried various attempts at supporting advisors with items (free advisor lunch/snack items at the Involvement Fair, free Einsteins coffee with the organization president, etc.), but most have been minimally utilized.
  • In our semester advisor email I just sent out this week, I asked an Outlook poll embedded in the email of what kind of item they would like (various free food items) in recognition of their support as an advisor. Only 13 advisors responded even though 75% of the advisors read the email.?
  • Overall, I would say it seems like advisors know they can reach out to our department if they ever need help and they do receive a weekly RSO newsletter from us (all presidents, vice presidents, treasurers, and advisors receive this). When advisors have left the university we often get thanks for our support, so I think they do feel supported even if they aren’t utilizing some of the items we offer.

Advisor?Role Expectations

We are aware that your?advisor?role is just one of many hats you wear at UWRF and we truly appreciate all the work you do to support students! With that we want to make sure that all students receive an experience where they feel supported and comfortable to approach their?advisors?when they need help. Below are the guidelines that we expect of Student Organization?advisors. We have broken this down into two categories:?ideal and expected.

?

Ideal:

• Available for questions from the organization’s Executive Board members. Communicates back to questions within 24-48 hours.
• Meets with the President (or another Executive Board member) on at least a monthly basis.
• Is knowledgeable about the content or topic that is the focus of the Student Organization. Can provide expertise and advice to the members.
• Attends multiple events or meetings a?semester.

?

Expected:

• Available for questions from the organization’s Executive Board members. Communicates back to questions within a week.
• Meets?with the President (or another Executive Board member) at least twice?a?semester.
• Willing to learn about the content or topic of focus.
• Attends at least one event or meeting a semester.

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Deanna Cahoon-Draus
University Center Programs Specialist
University of Wisconsin River Falls
River Falls, WI
(715) 425-3986
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-30-2025 11:49
From: Shauna McNeil
Subject: Student Organization Advising Models

Greetings from Wake Forest,

We are attempting to increase and enhance our institution’s student organization advisor experience-both in their interactions with the groups they advise and in their engagement with our office. Our goal is to provide advisors more meaningful support while strengthening their impact on student organizations.

However, as we work to clarify expectations and improve engagement, we’ve noticed some advisors stepping away from their roles due to increased demands. To help us navigate this, we’d love to hear from others:

• What advising models are you using at your institution?
• How do you balance advisor engagement with reasonable expectations?
• Have you found successful ways to support and retain advisors?
• Any insights, resources, or best practices would be greatly appreciated!

I look forward to learning from this community. Thanks in advance. 

——————————
Shauna McNeil
Wake Forest University
Winston Salem NC
(336) 758-5228
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[Brian Connelly Connelly]

Hi Shauna,

I know I’m answering this late in the game (Outlook kept sending these updates to my junk mail folder), but I’m in a similar boat as you, trying to craft a successful advising model and come up with ways to both support and encourage student organization advisors (and those interested in such a role).

We do not currently have a model but I’ve been building one based on the idea of mentorship and assessment from Assessing and Improving Student Organizations.? I’m hoping to have something more concrete this summer.

Our expectation is that advisors meet with their respective organizations once per semester and touch base with their executive boards at least once a month.? I’m hoping to evaluate the feasibility of this for student org advisors some time during the next academic year.

Currently we send out a bulletin once a month to provide updates and resources to student organization advisors.? The click-rate has been decent in this regard, but I’m exploring additional ways to support and retain advisors as well.? I plan on showcasing more experienced advisors through this bulletin and possibly social media, and hoping to leverage this into some sort of roundtable discussion and/or panel at least once a year.

If you’d like to connect regarding this at any time please feel free to add me as a contact here or reach out!

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Brian Connelly Connelly
Assistant Director of Student Organizations
Purdue University
West Lafayette IN
(737) 610-2449
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——————————————-
Original Message:
Sent: 01-30-2025 11:49
From: Shauna McNeil
Subject: Student Organization Advising Models

Greetings from Wake Forest,

We are attempting to increase and enhance our institution’s student organization advisor experience-both in their interactions with the groups they advise and in their engagement with our office. Our goal is to provide advisors more meaningful support while strengthening their impact on student organizations.

However, as we work to clarify expectations and improve engagement, we’ve noticed some advisors stepping away from their roles due to increased demands. To help us navigate this, we’d love to hear from others:

• What advising models are you using at your institution?
• How do you balance advisor engagement with reasonable expectations?
• Have you found successful ways to support and retain advisors?
• Any insights, resources, or best practices would be greatly appreciated!

I look forward to learning from this community. Thanks in advance. 

——————————
Shauna McNeil
Wake Forest University
Winston Salem NC
(336) 758-5228
——————————