Adviser Resources

At Vanderbilt, student organizations must have a faculty or staff adviser in order to be a registered student organization. By serving in this role for a student organization, a faculty or staff member chooses to play a significant role in the development of students.

Advisers serve as a consultant, mentor, role model, and educator to an organization. Furthermore, they assist in the growth and development of the group by providing direction by helping student leaders navigate administrative responsibilities at Vanderbilt, providing appropriate organization advice, helping everyone gain an understanding of the University structure, and helping student organization leaders grow through challenge and support. 

All advisers are federally mandated reporters, which requires all persons responsible for student and campus activities to report crimes or allegations of crimes to Vanderbilt University Public Safety at 615-421-1911 or 911 in an emergency (Non-emergency 615-322-2745) or the VU Ethics and Compliance Hotline at 844-814-5935 or online.

• Fostering an environment that promotes a sense of belonging, education of the whole student, and development of socially responsible leaders.
• Helping students find a balance between their academics, personal needs, and co-curricular activities.
• Facilitating a learning experience for student leaders and members by enabling their success, or, when necessary, by illustrating that failure often teaches as much as success.
• Clarifying their role to group members, in order to have a shared understanding of responsibilities.
• Attending meetings occasionally or frequently, depending on agreed-upon responsibilities.
• Motivating the group in setting annual organizational goals.
• Providing guidance in planning programs and events.
• Informing officers about leadership development opportunities such as conferences, workshops, and scholarships.
• Offering constructive feedback where appropriate and facilitate creativity and innovation for the organization.
• Affording continuity from year to year in the face of frequent officer turnover.
• Acting a conscientious and caring manner to promote student growth;
• Consulting the Office of Student Organizations, Leadership and Service for advice, guidance, and more information at SOLS@vanderbilt.edu.

• Assisting with budgetary planning and spending in the Oracle finance system.
• Authorizing spending by granting organization permission to reserve check out card, arranging grant reimbursements, to pay for student group expenses, or delegate signature authority to a second designee (often another staff member or department secretary).
• Authorizing student organizations to request travel.
• Guiding officers in the maintenance of accurate records and bookkeeping.
• Discuss the posting of items for sale in the Marketplace for their student groups.

• Acting as an interpreter of University policies that govern registered student organizations.
• Approving registration paperwork.
• Encouraging groups to review and update their constitution annually.
• Providing administrative guidance and support to student leaders.
• Consulting Student Organizations, Leadership and Service for advice, guidance, and more information at SOLS@vanderbilt.edu.

When a faculty or staff member accepts the position of adviser for a student organization, they also accept responsibility for the actions and activities of the organization. Advisers act on behalf of the University and are expected to exercise that responsibility reasonably, diligently, and in good faith. The type of liability or risk varies greatly depending on the type of organization being supported and the type of activities planned by that organization. Some suggestions to guide advisers follow:

Anticipate

Advisers should anticipate risks which may arise out of any decision or situation. Regardless of what organization or activity is involved, there will always be an opportunity for something to happen that might create a liability for the University. However, if decisions are made in good faith and reasonable precautions are taken, the risk involved can be minimized.

Review Student Handbook

It is important to be aware of University policies and regulations as they affect student organizations. The Student Handbook is the student information manual and a source for many University rules and regulations. Advisers should review the handbook, particularly those sections that apply to community life, student organizations, and guidelines for organizational activities. The Student Organizations, Leadership and Service staff, and Student Affairs Liaisons (SAL Pals) can also serve as resources for advisers and their student organizations.

Know Their Limits

Advisers should act only within the scope of their authority. Advisers may make certain decisions or take certain actions within their stated responsibilities. For example, they may approve purchases necessary for the day-to-day operation of an organization. However, they do not have the authority to sign contracts or to legally bind their organizations or the University. The Dean of Students is authorized to sign contracts.  For more information about liability and risk management, advisers may contact the General Counsel’s Office at 615-322-8331 or the Office of Risk and Insurance Management at 615-936-0660.