NUMBER:		STAF 3.01
SECTION:	Division of Student Affairs

SUBJECT:	Advisors for Student Organizations

LATEST REVISION:	February 5, 1999

DATE:		June 1, 1992 (revised)

Policy for:	Columbia Campus
Procedure for:	Columbia Campus
Authorized by:	Dennis A. Pruitt
Issued by:	Office of the Vice President




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I. 	ADVISORS FOR STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS  
		
To encourage positive interaction between both teaching and administrative 
staff and students involved in student organizations, every student 
organization is required to have an advisor.  The advisor must be selected 
from full-time faculty or administrative staff members at the University of 
South Carolina Columbia.  Graduate students are not eligible to fulfill this 
requirement. The Campus Activities Center will (upon request) assist 
organizations in securing advisors.  The Campus Activities Center will also 
assist advisors with questions concerning their organizations.


II.	PROCEDURE

A.	For Appointment 
        1.	The signature  of a full-time faculty or staff member must be secured on a new organization's application to receive recognition, to signify his/her willingness to serve as advisor to that organization.
        2.	The advisor's signature must also be obtained annually during registration, to signify agreement to continue as the organization's advisor.
        3.	The Vice President for Student and Alumni Services will officially appoint each advisor to the position by a letter.
        4.	Should an advisor step down from his or her position at any time during the year, Campus Activities Center should be contacted immediately, and a replacement acquired within three weeks.

B.	For Advising
        1.	Become familiar with and understand relevant University 
                policies and procedures.
        2.	Act within the scope of your authority.
        3.	Act in an advisory capacity, as opposed to a directive 
                relationship in the organization.  The following educational 
                functions are cited as examples:
                a.	providing the officers with the elements of good 
                        organizational practice,
                b.	teaching the techniques and responsibilities of 
                        leadership and following,
                c. 	teaching the principles of effective group operations,
                d.	developing procedures and plans for actions,
                e.	keeping the group focused on its goals,
                f.	developing self-discipline and responsibility in the 
                        group, and
                g. 	stimulating and initiating activity.
        4.	Be available to the officers and members to share ideas 
                about organization affairs.
        5.	Meet with the officers of the group to discuss the progress 
                and direction of the group.
        6.	Attend as many meetings and functions as possible.
        7.	Advise and consult with the organization and its officers in 
                its financial affairs to see that the proper budgets are 
                formulated and that the proper distribution of and accounting 
                for funds of the organization are maintained.  For non-funded 
                organizations, provide financial and budgetary advice.
        8.	Approve/co-approve off-campus activities in which students 
                represent the organization, such as meetings, conventions, etc.
        9.	Sign or co-sign appropriate University forms, such as those for 
                use of campus facilities, purchase orders, travel requests, 
                or the registration of visiting speakers or lectures.
       10.	Serve until a successor is appointed, if for any reason it 
                is impossible to continue as advisor to the organization.
       11.	Contact the Campus Activities Center when questions or 
                problems arise.	

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