Advising Student Organizations

 

This page will provide a comprehensive overview of the general structure organizations, your role in a student organization, and various resources @ Northeastern University that will help you with event planing. 

The advisor of a student organization plays a crucial role in assisting the student organization's planning, development, and execution of events and services.

How is CSI Structured?

To get started, it is important to know what CSI does and how each team can assist student organizations. CSI is structured into four teams: Student Engagement, Fraternity and Sorority Life, LEAD 360, and Program Operations.

Looking to connect with a CSI team member? Check our Contact Page to find staff across our four teams.

Student Engagement Team

The Student Engagement Team specializes in large-scale events including Fall Fest, Spring Fest, Homecoming, Winter Involvement Fair, and Student Life Awards (SLAs).

LEAD360

A collection of leadership programs based on circular and identity-based leadership development with the values of interdependence, experiential learning, accessibility, and justice.

  • BLUEPRINT
  • BLUEPRINT 2
  • Voices for Social Change
  • Graduate Leadership Institute
  • Husky Leadership Initiative

Program Operations Team

Oversee the 500+ recognized student organization on campus including support with event planning, leadership training, organization recognition/re-registration and policy protocol. 

    Fraternity and Sorority Life

    Community on campus consisting of 35+ organizations and over 2,700 active students, that make up four governing councils:

    • Interfraternity Council (IFC)
    • Multicultural Greek Council (MGC)
    • National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC)
    • Panhellenic Council (PC)

      Advising a new Student Organization?

      A student organization at Northeastern University must have a minimum of 12 members and 5 different members fufilling each executive position. A student organization should have a president, treasurere, scheduling coordinator, advisor, and program manager.

      The complete Student Recognition process is outlined in our Start an Organization page

      What are the Expectations of an Advisor?

      As a student organization advisor, you will:

        • Monitor Banner and Budget
        • Support Organizations with Purchases and Reimbursements
        • Advising Organizations Where Needed

      Difference Between (CSI) Staff Members and an Advisor?

      Beginning in Fall 2024, student organizations will have access to the entire CSI team for support, rather than being assigned to a single CSI program manager. Organizations will work with CSI staff based on their event locations, which means most groups will collaborate with multiple CSI team members throughout the year!

      Though both entities are here for a student organization, there are some key differences between the two.

      Advisor

      Who is an advisor?

      An advisor is a faculty/staff member, identified by the student organization, who has volunteered to advise a student organization group. The advisor works closely with the student organization in a multitude of ways, mainly advising and supporting organizations in their planning, development, and execution of events. The advisor is a great resource and support system for the organization and its leadership.

      In what ways does an advisor support an organization?

      Your advisor…

      • Can serve as a mentor and motivator in supporting your organization’s goal-setting and planning throughout the year
      • Monitors Banner and the organization’s budget
      • Supports the organization with purchases and approving reimbursements
      • Advises organizations where needed/desired
      • Can reserve academic space on behalf of your organization
      • Can be a resource and connection to a department (ex: Khoury College or Disability Access Services)

      CSI Staff Members

      Who are the CSI staff members?

      The Center for Student Involvement (“CSI”) staff support student organizations and their events. Each staff member works with a venue space and/or event procedure and assists with a variety of organizational operations, mainly event preparation and approval. Each organization has access to the entire CSI staff, who serve as a support system to your organization.

      In what ways do the CSI staff members support an organization?

      CSI staff members…

      • Are your primary contact with event planning needs and questions
      • Support with organizational processes, such as re-registration, space reservation, and policy compliance
      • Approve Event Requests, and other forms on Engage
      • Can reserve space on your organization’s behalf
      • Are able to make purchases for your organization
      • Can connect you with other campus partners in the event planning process (ex: SABO or CSC Scheduling Team) as well as other student groups or governing bodies (ex: SGA or GSG)

      Advising Best Practices

      • Help student organization leaders set SMART Goals
        • Encourage them to aim high, and help them get to their goals
      • Periodically review their budget
      • Introduce yourself as a resource to new e-boards
      • [At least] 4 meetings in an academic year
        • Recommendation: A meeting at the start and end of every semester.

      Questions To Help Guide You In Conversation(s) With Your Student Leaders

      Identify:

      1. Goals for semester
      2. Traditions/Events for the semester
      3. Culture of Org in past
      4. The hope of officers and members

       

      Assess:

      1. What did you accomplish?
      2. How good was it?
      3. Were members and officers developed?
      4. How do you know?

       

      New Semester:

      1. What past action item must be accomplished?
      2. What do members think should be the focus?
      3. Does a transition plan exist?
      4. Have we documented everything in a shared place?

      Frequently Asked Questions / Common Resources

      How to Book Spaces?

      Whenever students want to gather on campus, it is imperative that they submit the forms necessary to book a space.

      Ways to Book Spaces:

      How to Submit an Event Request Form?

      All events on campus that deviate from a general weekly meeting need to be approved by CSI. You must submit an event request form via Engage 6-10 weeks prior to the event date. Failure to do so could result in the cancellation of your event booking.

      All events outside of the following require an Event Request Form:

      What is a Budget Request? How to Budget Request?

      There are 3 forms of budget requests for Northeastern students, Annual and Supplemental for Undergraduates, and general budget requests for Graduates.

      [Undergrad] Annual Budgets: Submitted at end of the fiscal year for the next fiscal year. Necessitates successful execution of two supplemental budgets.

      [Undergrad] Supplemental Budgets: Please check the calendar from the Finance Board.

      [Graduate] Budget Request: Due 4 weeks prior to the event date. Money is deposited into organizations cash index.

      When to Submit an Event Request?
      • 10 weeks before the event date for an event with facilities contract(s) (i.e, hotel, boats, conference centers and campgrounds)
      • 8 weeks before for an event with any other contracts
      • 6 weeks before for an event that does not require the execution of a contract with an external party
      • 3 weeks for a smaller event (ex. barbecue, fundraiser, open mic night, etc)
      How to Check Budget?

      Please visit the SABO Advisor Training to generate budget reports.

      How to Reimburse?

      For detailed reimbursement instructions, see Lesson 6 of the SABO Advisor Training.

      How to Change Advisor?

      To update your organization’s advisor, follow these two steps:

      1. Update Your Organization’s “About” Section
      1. Add Your New Advisor to the Roster
      Important Campus Partners to Know

      Student Partners:

      For assistance with:

      • Changing student organization name/constitution
      • Requesting funding for student organization
      • Resolving disputes amongst student leaders (peer-led)

      Contact:

      Staff Partners:

      Student Activities Business Office (SABO) (for budget and financial questions):

      Event Management and Scheduling Team (for space reservations and events):

      Additional Support:

      WeCare:

      NUPD:

      • Emergency: 617-373-3333
      • Non-emergency: 617-373-2121
      • International: +1 817-214-5332

      Office for University Equity and Compliance

      This is for all issues that may involve Title IX. Most Faculty/Staff are mandatory reporters.