Per JMU Policy 3101, all recognized student organizations must have a JMU faculty or staff member to serve as their adviser. Advisers play a key role in offering guidance and advice. For sports clubs, the Assistant Director of Sport Clubs serves in this capacity automatically and no additional adviser is required. Graduate Students cannot be the only listed adviser to an organization but may assist in the adviser role under the supervision of a JMU faculty or staff member.
Please consult JMU Policy 1337 for information on affiliates to the University. Affiliates are able to serve as advisers of an organization and must follow JMU Policy 1337 and serve as a Campus Security Authority.
The adviser should be the first stop with any questions regarding University policy or if the organization is in need of any assistance in the day-to-day operations. Student Leadership and Involvement does not dictate the relationship a recognized student organization must have with their adviser. Each organization will have a different relationship with their adviser, but here are some possible responsibilities of an adviser:
- To carry out the duties assigned to the adviser by the recognized student organization’s approved constitution.
- To serve as a liaison between the University and the recognized student organization to assist in interpreting University policies and procedures.
- To be aware of and assist the recognized student organization in the management of its financial operations.
- To assist the recognized student organization in planning and executing its programs and events, and to refer organizers to appropriate University resources which may aid in the planning process.
- To review the recognized student organization’s applications for use of University space, vehicles and fundraising and to verify the recognized student organization’s requests for financial support through student fees (like Student Government Association contingency funds).
- To consult periodically with the designated staff concerning the recognized student organization’s direction, programs and function and to notify designated staff in the event the Recognized student organization has decided to disband or has ceased to function as a recognized student organization.
- To assist the recognized student organization in the periodic examination of its progress toward the goals specified in the recognized student organization’s constitution and to suggest alternatives that may aid in goal attainment.
The advisers of recognized student organizations are considered Campus Security Authorities (CSAs) under The Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act, or more widely known as the Clery Act. This federal legislation requires the University to report campus crime data, support victims of violence, and publicly outline the policies and procedures they have put into place to improve campus safety. As a student organization advisor, this serves as a part of your annual notification of your status as a CSA.
Campus Security Authorities, or CSA’s, have duty to report criminal incidents, as defined by the Clery Act, to the U.S. Department of Education. The institution is required to distribute an annual security report and post it on their website. CSAs include a wide range of individuals with responsibility for campus security or student and campus activities.
Recognized Student Organization advisers are considered a Campus Security Authority (CSA) because they have “significant responsibility for student and campus activities.” This means advisors have the duty to report incidents of Clery Act crimes when disclosed to them.
For more resources related to the Jean Clery Campus Safety Act, please refer to https://www.jmu.edu/police/clerycompliance/index.shtml
For information to CSA Training, please refer to https://www.jmu.edu/police/clery-doc-csa.shtml
If you have any questions, please contact Student Life at beinvolved@jmu.edu.