Advisors & Liaisons

Roles & Responsibilities

Advisors have a variety of roles with an organization including a mentor, teacher, leader and follower. Ideally, the advisor assists the organization members and officers in staying in compliance with their charter, constitution and bylaws, applicable Segregated University Fee Guidelines, UW-Milwaukee and UW System policies, as well as local, state and federal laws and ordinances. Advisors should also assist student leaders in developing critical thinking skills in the areas of event planning, risk management, organization management, group processes and ethical decision making among other areas for personal development. Advisors are educators outside the classroom setting and a resource person for the student organization.

STUDENT INVOLVEMENT LIAISONS

Student Involvement offers advising and other services to students and student organizations, including:

  • Involvement, helping students connect with the University and other students
  • Gaining access to and using University resources
  • Planning programs and activities
  • Leadership training and workshops
  • Mediation for group conflicts
  • Drafting and amending organization operating documents (charters, constitutions, bylaws, etc.)
  • Clarifying University policies and procedures

Student Involvement also provides advising to student organizations in requesting and making use of segregated university fees (student group activity funds). Student Involvement provides assistance and advice to student organizations in making use of these fees to support the organization’s events and activities.

Who is my Org Liaison?

FACULTY/STAFF ADVISORS

All registered student organizations must have an advisor who is employed at UW-Milwaukee (student employees AND/OR teaching/research/graduate assistants do not qualify). Ideally, the advice of the advisor to the organization’s membership and leadership is welcome and seen as valuable.

These advisors can be very helpful to groups in developing a foundation of sound decision-making and productivity. Faculty/staff advisors work with student organization officers and members to carry out the day-to-day business of the organization. When your organization chooses an advisor, remember that your advisor may only advise the group. Decision-making power for the student group must remain in the hands of the students in the organization. Student Involvement can provide groups with assistance in securing faculty/staff advisors.

Roles and responsibilities of faculty/staff advisors are detailed in the Advisors Quick Reference Guide.

Advisor Resources