Student Organization Advisor Resources

Thank you for willingness to go above and beyond your Rice University responsibilities and serve as an advisor for a student organization. We sincerely appreciate your interest in supporting student activities and student life on campus by taking on this truly rewarding responsibility. The Student Center aims to provide you with support and resources to make this a positive experience for both you and your student organization. If at any time we can provide you with additional information or support, please notify the Student Center's Student Activities team via studentactivities@rice.edu.

Interested in becoming a student organization advisor? Submit an interest form!

Overview of a Student Organization Advisor 

The following is a list of expectations for student organization advisors. Please note that this is not necessarily an inclusive list, as every student organization has unique structures and needs. An advisor's actual level of commitment will vary depending on their leadership style and the organization's needs. Ensure you have a discussion with your students about your responsibilities and to clarify expectations between the two groups. The advisor should be very clear about what they will do, what they will NOT do, and what they expect from the group as well.

• Must complete the Advisor Agreement form every year to meet the Texas law requirement
• Keep abreast of organization activities
• Be familiar with the organization's constitution and bylaws
• Meet with the organization's officers regularly.
• At the beginning of the year, discuss your particular role, responsibilities, and level of involvement
• Read meeting minutes
• Support students in logistics planning related to local/domestic and international travel, registering travel (see Forms page), and risk management
• Attend major organization activities and events
• Help the organization maintain consistency with University policies (the Student Handbook is a helpful resource)
• Be familiar with University facilities, services, and procedures that affect the organization
• Provide continuity and offer the organization a sense of history and direction
• Help facilitate the transition of the organization from year to year
• Ensure that the organization conducts officer elections, participates in Student Activities Fairs, and re-registers each year
• Keep official files and copies of correspondence in your office
• Serve as a resource
• Have an awareness of the organization's budget, fundraising efforts, and spending
• Initiate ideas for discussion that could possibly help the organization
• Speak up when the organization is likely to need assistance 
• Represent the group in conflicts with members of the university staff

Optional Expectations of an Advisor (if Requested by the Student Organization)

• Keep organization paraphernalia, records, etc., over the summer and during officer transition
• Mediate interpersonal conflicts that arise

Resources for Your Student Organization

There are many resources available to student organizations. To view these opportunities, please visit our Getting Started page or check the Student Resources dropdown in our menu (Menu > Student Activities > Student Resources).

Leaving the Advisor Role

When leaving the advisor role, we ask that you do the following:

• Inform the Student Organization President of your intentions and explain their options
• Assist the President in identifying possible new advisors
• Inform the Student Center's Student Activities team (studentactivities@rice.edu)
  • If possible, meet with the new advisor to pass on any valuable information about the organization

You are the best person to train and orient a new advisor to the organization!