Advisor Information

Information for Advisors

MHC’s 130+ Student organizations and groups contribute powerfully to the vibrant co-curricular life of Mount Holyoke College and represent an incredible array of community interests. As an advisor to a student organization, you guide students in leadership positions, act as a confidant in both personal and MHC related matters, share MHC's history and mission, and assist in the student organization's day-to-day operations. In short, you play a critical role in ensuring the student organization's success.

The Office of Student Involvement works in with the Student Government Association (SGA) to support the efforts of our student organizations. SGA provides much of the funding and political representation for these groups, and Student Involvement recognizes and advises student organizations, club sports, SGA and its committees, and the Class Boards. The SGA Business Office, which handles all student group and residential life staff banking transactions, is also managed by a Student Involvement staff member.

Questions about your role or want further support? Contact the Office of Student Involvement at student-involvement@mtholyoke.edu or call (413) 538-2478.

ADVISOR FAQ

  • Can I be an advisor?

    Advisors to student organizations must be Mount Holyoke College faculty or staff members.

  • What are my responsibilities as an advisor?

    Advisors guide students in leadership positions, act as a confidant in both personal and MHC-related matters, share MHC's history and mission, and assist in the student organization’s day-to-day operations. In short, advisors play a critical role in ensuring the student organization’s success. Each advisor will bring a unique perspective to their student organization, and their role is negotiable. We recommend that advisors have a conversation with the students in the organization to decide:

    • How the advisor supports the group.
    • How much input the advisor provides.
    • How involved / active the advisor is in meetings and events.
    • How and how frequently the student groups correspond with the advisor.
    • How the student group involves the advisor in group decision-making.

  • What questions should I ask students before I agree to serve as their advisor?

    As groups vary in their expectations and needs, it is important that you, as an advisor, develop an understanding with the organization about the nature of your involvement. The advisor and group should agree on a set of expectations. Here are some questions you should ask to help you define your role as an advisor.

    • How much involvement is expected or needed from me?
    • How experienced are the student leaders?
    • What are the needs of the organization?
    • How do my skills match the needs of the organization?
    • What are some of the ways that I can be more helpful to the group?
    • Are there areas of the organization that are "hands off" to me as the advisor?

    Once you know more about the organization you're advising, make sure you understand the policies involved with student organizations. Don't be afraid to reach out to the Office of Student Involvement staff to gather more information.

  • What are the responsibilities of the student organization to the advisor?

    The group's responsibilities can be defined in your conversations about the advisor-group relationship. For you to succeed in your role, students must be held accountable to your shared understanding of your relationship. Here are some examples of responsibilities that the group might have:

    • Establish and share a job description for the advisor that clearly defines their responsibilities and preferred lines of communication.
    • Respect and uphold the agreed-upon roles, commitments and responsibilities of both the advisor and student group.
    • Notify the advisor of all meetings, activities, and programs.
    • Meet with the advisor to discuss organizational matters.
    • Consult the advisor prior to making significant changes to the structure of the organization.

  • What other responsibilities does the student group have?

    RSOs (Recognized Student Organizations) are expected to meet the following requirements to remain in good standing with the College:

    • Complete the annual recognition process (including forms and trainings) - the process begins in April for the following academic year.
    • Adhere to college policies and procedures as well as local laws.
    • Adhere to Student Involvement policies outlined in the RSO Handbook.
    • Maintaining an up-to-date roster in Embark including documenting leadership transitions.
    • It is helpful for advisors to have a basic understanding of RSO policies. For additional context and information, contact Student Involvement.

Information for Student Organizations

What is an Advisor and Why Do You Need One?

Student organizations are a critical part of the collegiate experience and provide a unique opportunity for students to gain practical skills and out-of-classroom experience. An advisor is one who gives ideas, shares insight, and provides different perspectives. Advisors serve to guide student organization members through the process of effectively operating an organization ( having their students submit their student org registrations, recruit, host events, make organizational changes, etc.); they do not run the organization. In addition; advisors act as confidants in both individual and organizational-related matters, provide context about the organization’s history and traditions, and can be a valuable source of information. The advisory role also entails serving as a college representative in an official capacity and helping guide the organization in college policy and procedure, but also as a student advocate.

How Do You Find an Advisor?

If you are a student org searching for an advisor, we highly advise asking a faculty/staff member you know or someone an officer or org member is familiar with. When asking folks to serve as an advisor, it's good to share what your org is, the org mission, some of the things the org does (events, service, etc.), and what you are looking for in an advisor. If you've exhausted your connections trying to find an advisor, please contact Student Involvement at student-involvement@mtholyoke.edu for assistance.

  1. Develop a profile of what a successful advisor looks like for your student group. This includes areas of study, location on campus, experience, etc.
  2. Identify what you need from your advisor to be successful. Click here to review a list of roles/responsibilities an advisor can hold to support your student group.
  3. Develop a list of advisor options your student group knows across campus that you can connect with. Rule of thumb, every member should have at least one option.
  4. Meet with the individuals on the list, in person, to talk about the opportunity to advise your student group.
  5. Should you not receive a communication response back, we encourage you to attempt to connect with the person at least three different communication paths before moving forward.
  6. For those unable to commit to this capacity, have you asked them who they believe would be a person you should follow up with regarding this opportunity? For those individuals, review your advisor profile and schedule a meeting, in person.