Greetings from the UConn Student Activities Department! As one of our great Registered Student Organization (RSO) Advisors I first want to personally thank you for your commitment to our students and to making this campus an engaging living and learning environment. Beginning in 2017-2018 the newly designed SOARS program will provide outreach and opportunity for RSO advisors through orientation, luncheons, online workshops, webinars, and blogs to provide you the best tools to advise your RSOs!
SOARS Professional Competency Areas
Group Development and Dynamics Theory to Practice
Institutional Policies and Procedures
Managing Risk and Liability
Working with Today's College Student
SOARS Educational Opportunities
| Orientation x2 | SOLID 101 | Advising Multiple RSOs |
| USG Funding x2 | Stress & Conflict | |
| Evaluating the Year | Risk Management | |
| Banquet Celebration | Officer Transitions |
You will also receive regular email communications regarding:
SOLID Status Updates; USG Funding Updates; Student Life Awards; RSO Requirements
About Student Organizations On Campus
Every student organization offers an opportunity for not only fun, but also a meaningful educational experience. With over 650 different student organizations in 20 categories across 3 tiers on campus, there are many creative opportunities to help students get involved, develop leadership skills, meet new people, and enhance their co-curricular education.
At UConn, every organization falls into one of three Tiers - each with its own distinct characteristics and requirements. Our organization registration and Tier system requirements fall under the SOLID program. You will hear a lot from your students and us about SOLID status throughout the year! Based on Tier, each organization must list certain officers, advisors, and complete both in-person and online workshops to become a fully registered, Active organization on campus.
Please visit our pages on the TIER SYSTEM @ UCONN and our SOLID WORKSHOP SERIES for more information.
Advisor Requirements and Eligibility
- Advisors must be UConn Storrs Campus Faculty or Professional Staff members. This may include full-time teaching or emeritus faculty, adjunct faculty, professional staff, graduate and teaching assistants. Classified Staff are generally not allowed to serve as advisors.
- Advisors should have an interest in the RSO’s mission or activities
- Advisors have a genuine concern for and support of student learning and development
- Advisors must agree and accept an invitation to be listed publicly on UConntact - the UConn Engagement Platform, along with their officers.
About the Role of the Advisor
- Assist in developing strategies and goals to provide for member ownership, feedback and involvement
- Be aware of RSO’s constitution and policies
- To encourage organizational leadership to continue personal and group leadership development by taking part in option workshops offered through the SOSI and Leadership office, as well as potential outside sources
- To complete advisor competency education requirements
- To encourage leadership to preserve the RSO through proper documentation and officer transitions
- To attend as many meetings and events as possible
- To know and articulate campus policies and procedures
- To facilitate dialogue between officers and members
- To notify the SOSI office via email if you are no longer able or wish to serve as advisor
- To complete annual advisor re-certification
- Student Organization Advisors are required to be listed and confirmed as an Advisor on UConntact - our Student Organization Management System.
- If your student organization has a Student Activities Business Office bank account, you may be required to sign documents related to banking business for the organization.
- If your organization is hosting events on campus, you may be required to meet with, sign off on, or attend certain events that your group is hosting.
Student organizations on campus can range from very simple and direct, to extremely complex. The dynamics of students working with their peers to bring people together, raise awareness, host events, and have fun can be a large challenge to face. The role of the Advisor is to act as a guidepost for the student organization leaders.
- Advisors Do discuss opportunities; guide the decision-making process; assist in developing group dynamics
- Advisors Do meet with organization leaders regularly to discuss and develop goals and set expectations
- Advisors Do support the individual growth and development of students within the organization
- Advisors Do serve as a source of information and continuity to the organization members that transition each year
- Advisors Do act as a liason between the University and the organization
- Advisors Do challenge students' thought process, creativity, and desire to go beyond the status quo
- Advisors Do offer advisement in areas such as organization mission, goals, program/event content, and purpose
- Advisors Do Not have voting rights in groups; make financial decisions; program approvals; or officer/roster decisions