Insights from Student Affairs – November | Student Affairs

The Role of Advisors: Balancing Student Organization’s Independence with University
Interests

Michigan Tech is currently home to 249 student organizations with 14 additional groups
in the process of forming. These organizations contribute significantly to campus
life and help to create a sense of belonging for many Huskies. During the 2023-2024
academic year alone, Student Leadership and Involvement oversaw over 180 travel requests,
600 event submissions, and $410,000 of allocated funding on behalf of student groups.
This is no small feat and we would not be able to do so without the support of advisors
who assist with the day-to-day mentorship and support of each of our registered student
organizations on campus. 

While student organizations are commonplace across higher education, their role and
each institution’s relationship to them varies drastically. At Michigan Tech, student
organizations are generally considered external entities with independent decision-making
processes. Per Board of Trustees policy 7.5, “These organizations are operated by
their members who assume the responsibilities for achievement of their purpose, for
sound business management, and for proper social and community relations.” This separation
is important to distinguish the institution’s actions from those of a student group
that may advocate for specific causes, engage in high-risk behaviors, or incur financial
liability. This level of independence also creates a challenge; many of our students
do not have the lived experience to effectively manage those responsibilities without
support, which is where the need for organization advisors arises.

Recognizing the Institution’s duty of care to our students, we require groups to have
a university employee as an advisor and to register annually with the University.
Agreement to these obligations allows registered groups to receive benefits such as
funding from the Student Activity Fee, access to campus facilities, and the ability
to participate in university traditions. This exchange allows the institution a degree
of insight and control over the groups who choose to affiliate which can help to ensure
positive organizational experiences for our students. 

Student Leadership and Involvement would not be able to manage all of these organizations
alone. While we coordinate the registration and training process, establish student
organization policy, and oversee other RSO processes, we depend on advisors’ support
to engage regularly with each registered group. The advisor’s role is to assist in
positive decision-making, ensure compliance with university policy, and assist with
continuity. The duty of care obligation makes some advisors apprehensive about taking
on the role. While we understand that hesitation, we know the reward is worth it.
Student organization advisors play a vital role in creating community on campus, educating
students about personal and social responsibility, and often furthering their personal
interests when they align with the organization’s goals.

Our office is deeply appreciative of the challenging role advisors play in relationship
to student organizations. While the answers are not always straightforward, we are
here to support you as we navigate this challenging balance together.