Danielle Meirow
- Director of Student Leadership and Involvement
- dlmeirow@mtu.edu
- 906-487-1963
- 112 Memorial Union Building
The Role of Advisors: Balancing Student Organization’s Independence with University Interests
Michigan Tech is currently home to 249 student organizations with 14 additional groups
in the process of forming. These organizations contribute significantly to campus
life and help to create a sense of belonging for many Huskies. During the 2023-2024
academic year alone, Student Leadership and Involvement oversaw over 180 travel requests,
600 event submissions, and $410,000 of allocated funding on behalf of student groups.
This is no small feat and we would not be able to do so without the support of advisors
who assist with the day-to-day mentorship and support of each of our registered student
organizations on campus.
While student organizations are commonplace across higher education, their role and each institution's relationship to them varies drastically. At Michigan Tech, student organizations are generally considered external entities with independent decision-making processes. Per Board of Trustees policy 7.5, “These organizations are operated by their members who assume the responsibilities for achievement of their purpose, for sound business management, and for proper social and community relations.” This separation is important to distinguish the institution’s actions from those of a student group that may advocate for specific causes, engage in high-risk behaviors, or incur financial liability. This level of independence also creates a challenge; many of our students do not have the lived experience to effectively manage those responsibilities without support, which is where the need for organization advisors arises.
Recognizing the Institution’s duty of care to our students, we require groups to have a university employee as an advisor and to register annually with the University. Agreement to these obligations allows registered groups to receive benefits such as funding from the Student Activity Fee, access to campus facilities, and the ability to participate in university traditions. This exchange allows the institution a degree of insight and control over the groups who choose to affiliate which can help to ensure positive organizational experiences for our students.
Student Leadership and Involvement would not be able to manage all of these organizations alone. While we coordinate the registration and training process, establish student organization policy, and oversee other RSO processes, we depend on advisors’ support to engage regularly with each registered group. The advisor’s role is to assist in positive decision-making, ensure compliance with university policy, and assist with continuity. The duty of care obligation makes some advisors apprehensive about taking on the role. While we understand that hesitation, we know the reward is worth it. Student organization advisors play a vital role in creating community on campus, educating students about personal and social responsibility, and often furthering their personal interests when they align with the organization's goals.
Our office is deeply appreciative of the challenging role advisors play in relationship to student organizations. While the answers are not always straightforward, we are here to support you as we navigate this challenging balance together.