Advisors are an integral and important part to the management and success of our student organizations at The University of Alabama.  It can be a very rewarding position for members of our faculty and staff at UA and they have the potential to help our students exhibit their passion in unique ways.  Currently at UA, advisors to registered student organizations must be employed as full-time UA Faculty and/or Staff members.   Below you will find additional resources and links to aid in your knowledge as an effective advisor.  Additionally, if you are not currently a Student Organization advisor, but desire to advise a group, we have resource below to help you connect with us!

Advisor Interest Form

The Advisor Interest Form provides a vehicle for us to collect full-time faculty or staff members who wish to volunteer as advisors to student organizations.  If you would like to express interest in potentially serving as a Student Organization advisor, please fill out this form.  We will get more information about your current position, any areas of interest, and will have a way to reach back out to you when potential student groups are searching or are in need of someone to fill their advisor role for their organization.

Annual Advisors Luncheon

Our Annual Advisors Luncheon is an opportunity for student organization advisors to hear from campus partners about relevant resources and UA policies.  This event is strongly recommended, as it is a time for advisors to get the most recently updated information impacting student organizations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can serve as an Advisor?

  • Regular Full-time, faculty/staff members are eligible to serve as student organization advisors, as long as they are not on leave or away during their term with the group.
  • Student teaching assistants, graduate assistants, and retired/emeritus and some adjunct professors can serve in a secondary advisory capacity, but only if the primary advisor of record meets the criteria. If you are a regular faculty/staff member that is interested in becoming an advisor, contact our office at 205-348-6114 or complete the Advisor Interest Form.
  • Some organizations have multiple advisors. Those that are considered Sponsored and/or Coordinating Bodies may have an advisor that is designated by the department or college.

How often does an organization have to renew?

Student Organizations must complete an annual renewal. Each organization is assigned specific renewal window, Fall or Spring, based on their preferred timeline.

Renewal WindowOpen Renewal DatesOrg Officer TermElections
Fall March 15 – June 15Align with Academic CalendarLate spring or early summer
Spring November 15 – February 15Align with Calendar YearLate fall

Why does an organization have to renew every year?

Officers and members of student organizations change every year. Therefore, the Office of Student Involvement needs the most up to date contact information for your organization. To remain in good standing new officers must sign the Child Protection and Hazing Policy Acknowledgement, complete mandatory training and fulfill any other requirement UA deems necessary to remain in compliance with University guidelines and policies.

How is the Office of Student Involvement and The SOURCE involved in organization registration and renewal?

The Student Involvement Office reserves the right to work with registered student organizations to enhance inclusiveness and to determine alternatives to arbitrary criteria, limiting membership and discourage irrelevant exclusivity. 

Who has the right to select student organization advisors?

As an advisor becomes familiar with the organization and its leaders, he or she can assess group needs. An advisor should be perceptive and sensitive to changing leadership and organization conditions and adjust their advising style accordingly. Maintaining frequent and open communication with the organization and its officers can easily facilitate this process.

Registered student organizations ultimately have the right to select a new advisor at any time, as long as it is according to procedures outlined in the organization’s constitution and by-laws.

What are an advisor’s duties and responsibilities as it pertains to the student organization?

An advisor’s role is different for every group. In every case your group is a STUDENT organization and students should be responsible for managing the group. The primary responsibilities of an organization advisor should be clearly outlined in the organization’s constitution.