Chapter Advisor Role

In requiring fraternities and sororities to have chapter advisors, the University expects that advisors will take an active role in the organization. The nature and style of that role is left to the determination of the organization and its advisor. The role of the chapter advisor is to guide, advise, and support the chapter and its officers and monitor their progress. A chapter may choose to have one chapter advisor or a team of advisers fulfill the responsibilities listed below.

The chapter advisor needs to be willing to devote significant time to the chapter, skilled in organizational and leadership development, and proficient in their inter/national organization’s policies and their interpretation. It is through committed alumni/ae support that chapters achieve their greatest success.

The University’s expectations of a chapter advisor/advisory team include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Working with the chapter officers to integrate fraternity mission and goals as well as creating a connection with their inter/national organization through attendance at leadership conferences and utilizing available resources.
  • Supervising the chapter’s affairs as they relate to the organization, the campus, and the community. Maintain visibility in the residential community by regularly visiting the chapter, interacting with members and attending chapter programs and meetings.
  • Meeting regularly (at least monthly) with the chapter leadership and being available to meet with members upon request. Ensuring an effective and timely officer transition occurs.
  • Serving as a resource person for planning events and programs, resolving issues confronting the group and being involved in the education of new members.
  • Educating the chapter about inter/national policies, state and local laws, and the chapter code of conduct.
  • Working with the scholarship officer to implement a comprehensive scholarship plan and a residential environment that supports academic success.
  • Ensuring that individual behavior is addressed through a chapter standards board that empowers members to hold each other accountable for their actions consistent with the values of the organization and University.
  • Being involved in any situations that involve allegations of sexual misconduct or other egregious behavior.
  • Facilitating the chapter’s progress towards Elon University ’s minimum standards outlined in the Foundations of Excellence Agreement
  • Attending meetings of the chapter advisers when requested by Student Involvement.
  • Working in partnership with University staff, University Greek Advisor and inter/national headquarters to foster a positive fraternity experience for the undergraduate members.
  • Assisting the chapter officers in developing a membership recruitment and retention plan with the goal of total house occupancy.

Faculty/Staff Advisor Role

Below is a general outline of the role of a Faculty/Staff advisor. This vital position works closely with chapters on their overall scholarship program including the following:

  • Assist the chapter in developing an overall scholarship program.
  • Meet with the new members each semester to review their academic progress and plans at the university.
  • Assist with developing any scholarship recognition program for the chapter.
  • Assist the chapter in developing academic incentives programs.
  • Attend any scholarship receptions the chapter hosts.
  • Be available to meet with individual members who are in need of academic assistance.
  • Faculty/Staff advisors are fully covered under the university’s liability policy while acting in the scope of a Faculty/Staff advisor.
  • Most inter/national fraternities and sororities also provide liability coverage for faculty/staff acting in the scope as Faculty/Staff advisors (it is always a good practice to check with the inter/national organization for the specifics of this coverage).
  • Faculty/Staff advisors serve one-year terms with possible extensions based on a mutual agreement between the fraternity or sorority and the faculty/staff advisor. This ensures that both parties (the Faculty/Staff advisor and the chapter) are constantly assessing the working relationship.
  • Faculty/Staff advisors are not expected to serve as the chapter advisor nor to serve on the alumni board (if they wish to serve in these positions that would be great but it is not expected).
  • Faculty/Staff advisors are not on call nor are they responsible for the social aspects of the chapter.

This outline for a Faculty/Staff advisor is meant to be a starting point for what is expected. Ideally, the Faculty/Staff advisor and the chapter will sit down and work a list of specific duties that both can mutually agree upon.

Outstanding Faculty/Staff Advisor Award

Each spring, a Faculty/Staff advisor may be nominated by the chapter for the Outstanding Faculty/Staff advisor Award. A student selection committee will make the decision as to the recipient, and the award will be presented at the spring Fraternity and Sorority Awards Ceremony.

Student Involvement Support for Faculty/Staff Advisors

In order to have a viable Faculty/Staff advisor program, the Student Involvement staff provides tangible support for their faculty/staff advisors. The following is a list of resources that will be made available:

  • Requiring that each group have a faculty/staff advisor annually.
  • Provide regular updates to faculty/staff advisors on academic issues.
  • Provide faculty/staff advisors with a list of the chapter member’s GPA’s each semester (assuming members have signed a grade release form).
  • Provide an Academic Awards program for individuals and chapters.
  • Track each chapter’s Academic Incentives they offer to their members and compare to the rest of the Greek Community.
  • Provides an Outstanding Faculty advisor/Staff Award each year.
  • Provides an Academic Honor Society for fraternity and sorority members called the Order of Omega (jr. or sr. status & GPA above all Greek average).

This list is not exhaustive but meant to show some tangible support for Faculty advisors.