Student involvement in campus organizations provides an opportunity for students to develop leadership and organizational development skills. This involvement also complements their educational objectives with important out-of-class activities by exercising basic freedoms and learning about human behavior. In support of these objectives, it is important that persons with experience in organizations be available to assist students in their organizational endeavors.

While the range of activities of student organizations is diverse, the assistance advisors can give organizations by being responsive to students’ questions on procedural matters, AU policies, financial matters, and so on, can help advance the basic reasons for recognizing student organizations at American University.

As outlined in the Club Advisor Contract, there are expectations that Student Activities has of those who agree to be a Club Advisor, but primarily, your role is to serve as a RESOURCE to the students and to the organization.

In order to facilitate student learning and development, we encourage the leadership of the club to set the vision and goals for the organization and to make the pertinent decisions that affect the club. As the advisor, you will help GUIDE in the decision-making process and answer questions, but ultimately leave the decision to be made to the club leadership.

Often times, clubs have grand ideas for programming. As an advisor, you will ENCOURAGE them to “think big,” yet not so big that projects become unmanageable. Please be aware of the club’s limitations in time, budget, manpower, and commitment, as well as your own commitment and how much you are willing to be involved. Also be aware of important university policies and procedures, some of which are discussed in the following pages.

Clubs are also allocated budgets in the beginning of the fall-semester or in the spring-semester for new clubs. In line with guiding in the decision-making process, you will help to FACILITATE fiscal responsibility. It is ultimately up to the club to decide how money will be spent, but you will help to ensure that the decisions they make will benefit the club.