Faculty Advisors along with the Liaison Members serve as the advisory personnel for the Chapter. The Advisor is elected by the Student Chapter. The Advisor shall be a member in good standing of the Association.

The Faculty Advisor is the mainstay of the Chapter, representing continuity from year to year as Chapter members change. He/she transmits attitudes, values and behavioral norms to the Chapter members through advising and social activities. It is the Faculty Advisor who keeps in contact with Student Chapter officers, counsels them on plans and operations, attends meetings, provides motivation and inspiration, and offers information and general guidance. If the Chapter is well organized, this work will be mostly advisory with an occasional pep talk to get things started or to meet a deadline date. The Faculty Advisor may write an annual "State of the Chapter" letter for inclusion with the Chapter's Annual Report.

The close relationship which usually develops between the Faculty Advisor and Chapter members provides and opportunity for informal and personal contact with the teaching staff. The Faculty Advisor has an opportunity to foster a strong relationship with the students. He/she should take this opportunity to stimulate student interest in the profession through: (1) personal development, (2) student interest in the work of others, (3) the professional attitude of sharing new knowledge with others, (4) introduction of students to the local Chapter, Section and practicing engineers. They should also take the opportunity to counsel individual students and to stimulate a professional attitude through personal example.

Suggested Activities for the Faculty Advisor

The Faculty Advisor should:

1. Act as a liaison between students and the Association.
2. Provide advice and guidance in the operation of the Student Chapter.
3. Lead an orientation meeting for new officers to provide guidance on their responsibilities and the mechanics of executing a successful meeting.
4. Lead a workshop at the beginning of their term of office to plan the program for the year.
5. Assure that the Student Chapter complies with university rules and regulations, e.g. registering as a student group, filing permits for events.
6. Attend all regular meetings and all Board meetings.
7. Monitor the financial affairs of the Student Chapter closely.
8. Have signature authority an all accounts.
9. See that continuity of the organization is preserved through Bylaws, minutes, files, and traditions.
10. Articulate campus policies and procedures and help cut through the red when necessary.

Suggestions for effective advising:

1. Encourage the Board to develop a well rounded program that supplements classroom work.
2. Encourage the Board to act as a team, helping each other to achieve the program objectives.
3. Encourage the President to follow up on action items.
4. Encourage the Board to utilize planning and programming aids such as a personal planner, this Student Officers Operating Guide, the Student Activities Manual, and the Student Chapter Award criteria.
5. Encourage meetings that are run in an orderly, efficient manner.
6. Encourage students to understand and apply democratic principles, including recognition of minority opinions and rights.
7. Be a sounding board, especially for officers, and be supportive of all members.
8. Be a facilitator both among officers and between officers and members.
9. Be familiar with the Association's structure and services.
10. The maturity/skill of the organization and its leadership should dictate your style of advising. If the leaders have low skill levels, you may need to be more actively involved with the group. As the leaders skill level matures, you can then decrease the amount of direction you need to provide the group.
11. Express sincere enthusiasm and interest in the group and its activities.
12. Be open to feedback from the group. Talk with them regarding your role as advisor. Be willing to admit mistakes.
13. Give the group and the leaders feedback regarding their performance. Raise questions with them regarding their goals.
14. Get to know members. Be available and accessible to them. They will feel more comfortable with you and be more open to your input if they know you.
15. Meet with the officers before group meetings. Assist them in setting an agenda.
16. Following Chapter meetings, discuss with officers any problems encountered during the meeting. Offer suggestions/feedback for how meetings can be improved.
17. Be careful of becoming too involved with the group. You are not a member. Advise, assist, and facilitate. Do not lead or do.