Registered Student Organization Advisors

An advisor of a student organization is an individual who provides recommendations, support, and guidance to members of the organization in which they will choose to act upon the advice given to plan or implement a plan for their organization. In doing this, advisors can take on the role of a mentor, supervisor, teacher, leader, team builder, motivator, mediator, reflective agent, policy interpreter, etc.

1. JHU full-time or part-time faculty
2. JHU full-time or part-time staff
   • Graduate students or alumni members can co-advise with the Category Coordinator of the organization they wish to

This is really up to you. If you choose to attend all meetings and events, it could be 1-4 hours per week. If you choose to meet with the group’s officers and attend occasional events, it could be as little as 1-4 hours per month. You may choose to allow students to drop by your office at any time or may ask them to schedule appointments. Your availability should be made clear to your organization from the start.

This area is also flexible and should be discussed between the organization and yourself. We want advisors to be more than just a name on paper, so we would encourage you to attend meetings and events as time allows. We would also suggest that you assist the group with transitioning and training officers, understanding university policies, and resolving potential conflicts. An advisor can help the organization connect with many faculty and staff members on campus, as well as provide an invaluable historical perspective for the organization.

There are many benefits associated with becoming an advisor to a student organization. Here are some:

• The satisfaction of seeing and helping students learn and develop new skills.
• Watching a disparate group come together to share common interests and work toward common goals and an understanding of differences.
• Developing a personal relationship with students.
• Furthering personal goals or interests by choosing to work with an organization that reflects one’s interests.
• Sharing one’s knowledge with others.

As a student organization advisor at Johns Hopkins University, we value supporting the leaders we work with by connecting them through general support, content/topic management, and knowledge of policies and procedures.

1. General Requirements:
   1. Meet with all leaders at least once a semester
   2. Meet with president at least twice a semester
   3. Have a Hopkins Groups profile to approve advisor role on Hopkins Groups
2. Knowledge:
   1. Expectations of Student Organizations
   2. Inform student groups of upcoming deadlines, opportunities, etc.
   3. Have knowledge, experience and/or interest in content of the student organization(s) of your interest.
   4. Be aware of and abide by federal, state, local and JHU policies and procedures in supporting student organizations
      1. i. Clery Act: As a student organization advisor, you are considered a “Campus Security Authority” which means you have a “Significant responsibility for student and campus activities.”
         1. This means that you have a DUTY to take action and/or report on crime(s) that has taken place
         2. Training can be done on myLearning.

You are there to help the organization make sound decisions, but ultimately, the students are responsible for those decisions. As long as you are partaking in official student organization meetings or events, you are insured by the university in the role of an advisor. Use your best judgment is deciding which activities you would like to attend. Note- it is not recommended to transport students in your own vehicle at any time, as your personal insurance would have to cover any incidents.

There are:

1. Assigned: JHU full-time or part-time faculty or staff may be assigned to a student organization based on their job responsibilities.
2. Requested: A student organization leader approaches you to be their advisor
3. Request:
   1. Reach out to the Leadership Engagement & Experiential Development team of your interest by filling out the Student Organization Advisor Interest Form
      1. You will be guided on how to find organizations of your interest and tips to outreaching to the organization of your choice for advice
      2. You can be matched by the LEED team outreaching to organizations of your interest