Student Advisor Training

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Student Advisor Training
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Senator Advisor Trainging

• This meeting is intended as a brief overview to
  help you understand your role as a Student Senate
  Advisor and how you can help your Senator fulfill
  their role as a Senator.

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The Role of a Student Senator Advisor The
general role of an advisor to a student leader

• The advisor to a student leader has a unique and
  challenging role because they are responsible for
  bringing the vision of the student leader and the
  mission of the department together.

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The Role of a Student Senator Advisor The
general role of an advisor to a student leader

• A good advisor is just that, an advisor.
• Let the student make the decisions they were
  selected to make and guide the student to making
  good decisions.
• Use sound judgment and only intercede when you
  feel that a poor decision of a student could be
  detrimental
• Bring in others for decision making

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The Role of a Student Senator Advisor The
general role of an advisor to a student leader

• Establish a relationship of trust.
• Always, always do what you say you are going to
  do, when you say you are going to do it.
• Make yourself available to the student.
• Make an effort to get to know the student.
• Educate yourself regarding topics that are
  relevant to the students position.

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The Role of a Student Senator Advisor The
general role of an advisor to a student leader

• Establish a relationship of trust.
• Keep the student informed on things happening in
  the department.
• Support the student in their efforts and their
  decisions.
• Compliment them on a job well done.
• Trust is often reciprocal.

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The Role of a Student Senator Advisor The
general role of an advisor to a student leader

• Help the student discover and magnify their
  strengths and be understanding of their
  weaknesses. Help them overcome those weaknesses
  in a positive, constructive manner.

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The Role of a Student Senator Advisor The
general role of an advisor to a student leader

• Make sure the student knows their
  responsibilities and what is expected of them.
• Student leadership is a revolving door, but you
  can help!

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The Role of a Student Senator Advisor The
specific role of a Student Senator Advisor

• It is your responsibility to help your senator
• Connect to their constituents.
• Connect to your department.

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The Role of a Student SenatorRepresenting the
constituency in a legislative body

• The Student Senate is comprised of 20 Senators
  who represent various colleges and student groups
  on campus in a legislative setting.

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The Role of a Student SenatorRepresenting the
constituency in a legislative body

• The Area Council
• The Area Council is a committee consisting of
  members of the constituency. The purpose of the
  Area Council is to serve as a valuable, accurate
  source of information for understanding the needs
  and opinions of the constituency, as well as a
  good group of helping hands for helping your
  senator and your department reach their goals.

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The Role of a Student SenatorRepresenting the
constituency in a legislative body

• The Area Council
• The Area Council meets at least once per month
• Your senator should be communicating regularly
  with the Area Council members.
• Your senator should be constantly recruiting
  members to the Area Council.
• The Area Council should be productive, rewarding,
  and fun

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The Role of a Student SenatorRepresenting the
constituency in a legislative body

• Legislation
• Legislation comes in two forms
• Bill- The WSU Student Association is governed by
  a constitution and bylaws. A bill is legislation
  that proposes a change to those documents.
• Resolution- A resolution is a request,
  recommendation, or a statement of opinion to any
  entity outside of the WSU Student Association.

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The Role of a Student SenatorRepresenting the
constituency in a legislative body

• Legislation
• Help your senator understand how legislation can
  be used to accomplish their goals.
• Help your senator come up with ideas for
  legislation.

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The Role of a Student SenatorPromote the
constituency

• An important responsibility that a senator has is
  promoting the constituency by showcasing its
  strengths and demonstrating how it benefits its
  students, as well as the student body as a whole,
  the university as a whole, and the community.

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The Role of a Student SenatorPromote the
constituency

• Emphasis Week
• Your senator is responsible for holding an
  Emphasis week once during the school year. This
  should be done with the Area Council, and you
  should be an active part of the planning,
  marketing, and implementation of this Emphasis
  week.

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The Role of a Student SenatorPromote the
constituency

• Emphasis Week
• An Emphasis week has at least two events
• An educational event
• An information sharing event
• A social event (not required)

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The Role of a Student SenatorPromote the
constituency

• Other events throughout the year
• It is not required, but it is highly recommended
  that your senator host other events involving
  their constituency throughout the year, or help
  other groups put on events relevant to their
  constituency.

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The Role of a Student SenatorPromote the needs
of all students

• Your senator is not only responsible for
  promoting their constituency, but also promoting
  the needs and issues of the student body as a
  whole to various entities, such as the university
  and the community.

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The Role of a Student SenatorPromote the needs
of all students

• WSU Standing Committees
• Each senator serves on two or three, sometimes
  four of the WSU Standing Committees.
• Community outreach
• A good senator also reaches out to the community
  to promote the university and help advocate for
  the needs of the students.

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Things you currently should be working on with
your Outgoing and Incoming Senators

• Senate Advisor Flow Chart
• Outgoing Officer Review
• Transition Checklist
• Incoming Senator Survey