October 2012: VOLUME I, ISSUE I
The Advisor
IN THIS ISSUE:
WELCOME BACK! Dear Advisor:
Important Dates
Welcome Back/Aboard! Thank you for being an advisor of a student club at RIT! Our clubs are engaging, and most of all fun! Regardless of your experience, advising is a great opportunity to work with students in a capacity outside of the classroom, and to guide them in building upon their leadership potential. The expectations of advisors are based upon several premises. Faculty and staff are generally familiar with the policies and procedures of RIT, and therefore can assist students in the accomplishment of goals and objectives by helping them to work effectively within the framework of our community. Advisors aid in growth and leadership, help with transition and continuity between the shifting of academic years, and contribute to the total education and leadership ability of our students. Many ask the question of what being an advisor entails, and the answer is simply that as an advisor you have an active role, but not a controlling one. You have the responsibility of promoting student growth and education, helping our students to enjoy their work, but also realizing the success and failure of the group should belong to the group and the advisor should provide an atmosphere for learning and educational conversations to occur.
Snapshots from the Club Fair
Advisor Photo Competition
Therefore again – thank you for continuing to be an advisor for our student clubs; and if you ever have any questions please feel free to contact me or anyone in the Club Center to help you provide the best possible support and guidance for your group. Your willingness to help our students succeed is much appreciated, and I look forward to working with you this year! It’s going to be great! Sincerely,
Club Center Cheat Sheet
Sarah Griffith Assistant Director for Clubs & Community Outreach Center for Campus Life sbgccl@rit.edu
Did You Know...?
Advisor Spotlight: Eyob Zerayesus
Club Advisor Shout Out’s! 37% of Club Advisors are Staff Members and 63% of Club Advisors are Faculty Members
100% of clubs LOVE their advisors and don't thank them enough for everything they do!
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Snapshots From the Club Fair!
Important Dates:
Over 250 clubs and organizations joined the Club Center at the Field House during Orientation Week on Sunday, September 2nd. The event was a huge success with over 1,000 students in attendance!
October 1st Club Constitutions & Club Emails Due Email clubs@rit.edu October 6th Club Leadership Training Day Campus Center 10am-3:30pm October 12th Club Recognition Packets Due Email clubs@rit.edu October 15th Advisor Training Luncheon Club Center 12pm-1pm October 26th Club Interest Fair SAU Lobby 10am-4pm PAGE 2
Advisor Photo Competition!
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New to Advising? Basic Questions to Start the Quarter Off Right: 1. How much involvement is expected or needed? 2. How often does the group meet? 3. How many major activities does the group plan per semester? 4. How experienced are the student leaders? 5. How do your skills match the needs of the organization? 6. What are some of the problem areas that your organization specifically needs advisory assistance in dealing with? Ask for past examples. 7. What are some of the ways the Advisor can be more helpful to the group? 8. Will the Advisor be a silent observer at meetings or an active participant? 9. Should you interrupt during meetings if you think the group is getting off track? How? When? 10. If things get unruly, should you interrupt or remain silent?
ADVISOR SPOTLIGHT: Meet Eyob Zerayesus What club do you advise? Right now- I am an advisor for Asian Deaf Club (ADC), Tiger Media, and temporary advisor for the Caribbean Deaf Club (CDC). To be honest-with my job, I work closely with all NTID Clubs/Organizations. How long have you advised the club? I have been ADC and Tiger Media’s Advisor for about 4 years and recently assumed a temporary advisor role for CDC. How did you become a club advisor? I was selected by clubs and advising clubs/ organizations in general is also part of my position as an Assistant Director for the Student Life Team. Were you a member of clubs during your college career? If so, which clubs? I wasn’t involved in any related to ADC and Tiger Media but I was involved with organizations such as Ebony Club (EC), Latino American Deaf Club (LADC) (formerly known as Hispanic Deaf Club) and NTID Student Congress (NSC). What has been the highlight of your advisor career? I was able to witness the leadership of students through action. I offer a lot of perspectives and tools to students, you would be surprised how students will actually use it later unexpectedly. Seeing them know what to do is a great feeling! What is your best piece of advice to other advisors? Be engaged with them as much as you can and you will see them fly in the right direction. Anything else you would like to share with club advisors? We need to empower and give students tools of how to lead as much as possible. Also participate and be there for them. Being present at their events and meetings gives them a sense of support.
CLUB ADVISOR SHOUT OUT’S ew the n n o s the grat Con ition to h! add Coac l y l i fam Footbal g - Fla Club
Tha n cam k you e very e to trai the firs one wh nin o ta -Sa g lunc dvisor h rah Grif eon! fith
see ait to w t ’ e an We c at practic u yo ew! Andr Club tball - Pain
For more resources on understanding your club’s needs check out the Student’s Expectations for Advisors worksheet ! PAGE 4
Club Center Cheat Sheet
Have you checked out the 2012 RIT Advisors Handbook? Click here:
Club & Advisor Issues Sarah Griffith 475.6128 sbgccl@rit.edu
Club Budget Questions Carol Giuliano 475.5798 cagccl@rit.edu
Additional Funding, Student Government, Club Travel Dawn Rizzo 475.5798 darccl@rit.edu
We Want Your Feedback! Do you have input on how the Club Center can improve the role of advisors? We welcome new ideas, suggestions, and guest columnists for The Advisor! For more information please contact Emily, Club Graduate Assistant at Clubs@rit.edu.
Event Registration Procedures, Marketing Becca Delaney 475.7651 radccl@rit.edu
Campus Life Financial Coordinator Robin Amico 475.5658 rxsrla@rit.edu
Advisor Training Luncheons Join us for the upcoming advisor training luncheons! October 15,2012 | 12pm-1pm | Room 2610 Campus Center November 8, 2012 | 12pm-1pm | Room 2610 Campus Center PAGE 5