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Kansas State University

Valuable Resources
Advisor Handbook
Advising Student Organizations:

Information about establishing effective advisor/student leader relationships, establishing identity as a student organization, and investing in the organization.
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How Advisors Learn to Advise: A Study

How can student organization advisors learn how to be effective?
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The Tao of Advising:

Ancient Principles for Today’s Professionals
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What Kind of Advisor Are You?

It’s Crucial to Know Your Roles and the Challenges and Rewards that Come with the Job.
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New Benchmarking Assessment for Student Activities

The dramatic increase in assessment in student affairs has gained even more momentum during the past year. Resource allocation decisions are more and more becoming dependent on the ability of program administrators to prove their impact, as well as their efficiency.
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Dear Advisor,

Thank you for taking the opportunity to be a student organization advisor. By taking on this role, you have already made a significant contribution to Kansas State University and its students.

All registered student organizations are required to have advisors. This information is intended to serve as a starting point to help advisors. It is a collection of resources, responsibilities, expectations, and suggestions. If you have any comments or suggestions concerning this publication, please feel free to contact the Office of Student Activities and Services at (785) 532-6541. Good luck and enjoy your opportunity to make a difference!

Definition

Advising means challenging students to be better than they were yesterday and supporting them when they find themselves unprepared to perform the task set before them. A good advisor will use their personal and professional experience to motivate individuals, as well as the group, toward a common goal.

Why be an Advisor?

Advising is a unique opportunity to interact with K-State students outside of the classroom setting. The environment developed through an advisor-advisee relationship is one that touches students’ lives on a different level. This experience provides students the opportunity to get to know faculty and staff as “real” people, and often leads to long term mentoring. There are many benefits involved in advising that include: knowing you are making a difference, having fun, keeping abreast of campus events, building community, receiving student appreciation, and personal satisfaction.

Types of Student Organizations

Student organizations, like all organizations, involve people - people getting together to accomplish a task. Getting people to work together in an organized manner is not an easy undertaking, but is essential for the success of an organization. Here are some types of student organizations on our campus:

  • Departmental
  • Greek Letter Organizations
  • Student Government
  • Residence Halls
  • Honors
  • Multicultural
  • Sports Clubs
  • College Councils
  • Religious
  • Special Interest