Advisor Information

Student Organization Advisor Responsibilities

The Pepperdine College of Health Science requires that every registered student organization select a full-time faculty/staff member of Pepperdine University to serve as an advisor. The advisor needs to be available to assist the officers with problem solving; to offer appropriate guidance to the officers; and, in general, to serve as consultant to the organization’s members. Advisors are liaisons between student organizations and the University and are responsible for ensuring that the organization follows University policy and procedure.

Responsibilities of a Student Organization Advisor

• The advisor must read and sign the Student Organization Relationship Statement.
• The advisor is to be familiar with the organization’s constitution, this handbook, and the College of Health Science Academic Catalog.
• The advisor is recommended to attend one organization meeting per semester.
• The advisor is strongly encouraged to attend all off-campus, organization-sponsored functions. The advisor is required to attend organization-sponsored, off-campus functions when the Student Services Office specifically requests that the function be attended by the advisor.
• The advisor is requested to attend a meeting of all organization advisors when called by the Student Services Office.
• The advisor is to encourage the organization to function within University guidelines and not condone any activity which is not in keeping with the letter or spirit of University policy.
• If for any reason the advisor is unable to continue with said responsibilities, the Student Services Office should be immediately notified in writing of their resignation.

The Role of the Student Organization Faculty/Staff Advisor Shall Be

• Programmer—to assist students in developing programs that will contribute to the education of the group’s members. To assess the group’s needs, translate those needs into a framework of goals and objectives, plan, make arrangements, coordinate resources, and evaluate processes and outcomes.
• Institutional Representative—to communicate clearly Pepperdine University’s expectations, translate rules, and help students gain an understanding and appreciation of institutional policies and goals.
• Counselor—to assist students with their concerns and find solutions to their problems. To listen and respond to students’ needs sensitively and confidentially.
• Administrator and Manager—to assist students in implementing policy development, management of an organization, and other University services, and legal parameters. To be familiar with, and respect, University policies.
• Organizational Development Consultant—to help organizations examine themselves and how they operate in order to make effective changes.
• Conflict Mediator and Manager—The advisor serves as a neutral third party who facilitates mediation to help students move past personal friction and toward shared organizational goals. By establishing communication ground rules and clarifying university policies, the advisor empowers students to resolve interpersonal disputes while ensuring the organization remains accountable to institutional standards.