Fraternity & Sorority Advisors Corner

“There is no greater joy, than knowing that you made a difference”

“There is no greater joy, than knowing that you made a difference”
It is an honor to be asked to serve as an advisor, but it is also important that you understand the additional demands that will be placed upon your time and energy. You will be helping prepare our students to achieve a wide array of goals throughout their involvement. You will serve as a guide as they learn how to balance their co-curricular involvement with their academic pursuits. Your role will be multifaceted, as a motivated, challenger, supporter, energizer, mentor, and role model. Your involvement will provide a sense of direction for the organization and an opportunity for our students to realize their potential.

In this guidebook, we have identified key responsibilities, roles, expectations, and techniques to enhance your effectiveness as an advisor. Also included are policies and procedures established by the Office of Student Activities (OSA).

 

Thank you for your dedication to the quality of student life at FAMU; may your involvement with the student organizations be positive and rewarding for all.

If you require additional information or support, please contact the Efferson Student Union and Activities at 850-599-3400

Congratulations! We are looking forward to working with you and your org. this year.

- ESUA Staff

The Advisor's Handbook

FSL Chapter Advisors

Supporting the Students Who Lead Our Chapters

Chapter advisors are essential partners in the success of Florida A&M University's fraternity and sorority community. Advisors provide continuity, mentorship, institutional knowledge, guidance, and support while allowing students to lead their organizations.

Your role is not to run the chapter—it is to help students learn how to run it well.

Whether you are a FAMU faculty/staff advisor, graduate/alumni advisor, chapter advisor, or inter/national organization volunteer, this page connects you with information and resources to help you support your chapter and navigate FAMU.

a black woman smiling as she speaks to another person

When you need support, we're here.

  • Advisor vs. Student Leader

  • The Advisor provides guidance, continuity, perspective, and institutional support. Advisors help students understand University and organizational expectations, ask thoughtful questions, identify potential concerns, connect with resources, and make informed decisions. The advisor is always kept in the loop.
  • The Student Leader has responsibility for leading the chapter. Student officers make decisions, communicate with members, plan programs, manage chapter operations, complete required processes, and remain accountable for the organization's actions.

  • A Simple Rule

  • Students lead. Advisors guide. FSL supports.

  • Advisors should neither operate the chapter for students nor remain disconnected from chapter operations. The goal is an intentional partnership that supports student learning, organizational success, safety, and accountability.

  • What FAMU FSL Expects From Chapter Advisors

  • FSL chapter advisors should:

  • Maintain regular communication with chapter officers and chapter leadership.
  • Understand the chapter's constitution, bylaws, inter/national policies, and applicable FAMU policies and procedures.
  • Encourage students to make decisions while providing appropriate guidance and accountability.
  • Help chapter leaders plan ahead rather than respond only when problems occur.
  • Monitor organizational health, including academics, membership, finances, leadership transitions, programming, and member well-being.
  • Encourage responsible event planning and risk-management practices.
  • Attend required advisor meetings, trainings, and University programs.
  • Help students understand and navigate iStrike and required University approval processes.
  • Support officer transitions and preserve institutional knowledge from one administration to the next.
  • Recognize when an issue should be referred to FSL, Student Affairs, Public Safety, Counseling Services, Student Conduct, Title IX, or another appropriate University resource.
  • Communicate concerns involving hazing, safety, misconduct, or potential policy violations promptly.
  • Community member sanctions and those who are placed on Withdrawal of Privileges (WoP), suspended or inactive.
  • You have questions about University policy or chapter standing.
  • A student reports or raises concerns about hazing.
  • You become aware of a significant safety or risk-management concern.
  • Chapter leadership is experiencing a serious internal conflict.
  • You have concerns regarding membership/intake activities.
  • The chapter is planning an activity and you are unsure of the required University approval process.
  • You need assistance navigating iStrike.
  • You are concerned about chapter operations or organizational sustainability.
  • You believe an issue should be elevated but are unsure where to begin.
  • When in doubt, reach out. FSL would rather help you navigate a concern early than respond after it becomes a larger issue.

  • An Advisor Is A…

  • An effective advisor may serve in many roles depending on the needs of the chapter:

  • Þ Mentor

  • Þ Coach

  • Þ Teacher

  • Þ Mediator

  • Þ Support System

  • Þ Resource

  • Þ Advocate

  • Þ Trainer

  • Þ Sounding Board 

  • Þ Accountability Partner

  • older black man speaking to younger black male possible mentee
    What Does Advising Really Mean?
  • Advising is more than giving advice. Effective chapter advisors help students think through decisions, understand policies and procedures, identify resources, assess risk, navigate challenges, and develop as leaders.
  • An advisor is a person who wears many hats and plays a variety of roles at any given movement. An advisor must remain versatile and flexible, while remaining consistent, unbiased and fair.

  • The advisor should provide guidance without taking ownership away from student leaders.

  • Academics: How are members doing academically, and who may need additional support?
    1. Conduct semesterly grade checks. 
  • Conduct semesterly grade checks. 
  • Operations: What programs, events, deadlines, forms, or University approvals are coming up?
    1. Review iStrike submissions form the chapter and give the proper review - approved or denied.
    2. review meeting minutes 
    3. attend chapter meetings
    4. review programming calendar 
  • Review iStrike submissions form the chapter and give the proper review - approved or denied.
  • review meeting minutes 
  • attend chapter meetings
  • review programming calendar 
  • Membership: How are members doing—not just attendance, but engagement, relationships, morale, and well-being?
    1. Ask for meeting attendance and hosts one-on-ones or group check-ins at least once a month 
  • Ask for meeting attendance and hosts one-on-ones or group check-ins at least once a month 
  • Risk & Compliance: Is anything happening that could create a safety, hazing, conduct, financial, or reputational concern?
  • Leadership: What decisions are officers working through, and where do they need guidance rather than someone to make the decision for them?

 

Chapter Advisor Directory: Find Your Chapter's Advisor(s)

Our FSL community is supported by FAMU faculty/staff advisors and graduate/alumni advisors who provide guidance, continuity, mentorship, and organizational support.

VACANT 

  • Dr. Errol Wilson
    • Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, INC.
  • Dr. Angela Thornton
    • Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, INC,               
  • Dr. Tiffany Ardley
    • Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, INC.
  • Dr. Ukamaka Dike' Smith
    • Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, INC.                          
  • Dr. Errick D. Farmer
    • Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, INC.  
  • Todd Middleton & Jason Davis
    • Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, INC.    
  • Major Courtney R. Arnold
    • Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, INC.   
  • Herbert Bailey
    • Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, INC.
  • Genevieve Jean
    • Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, INC.
  • Gerakd  McGill
    • Theta Tau Professional Engineering Fraternity, Inc.
  • Natalie Alexis
    • Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, Internatinal
  • Samique March
    • Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity, INC.                 
  • Jonathon Stevens
    • Alpha Rho Chi Architecture & Allied Arts Fraternity, INC.      
  • Bridg'ette Israel
    • Kappa Epsilon Pharmacy Fraternity, INC.                
  • Vacant / Chapter is Inactive
    • Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity, INC.                             
  • Dr. Gail Randolph
    • Kappa Psi Psi Sorority Healthcare Sorority, INC.                           
  • Brenda Bryant & Joy Scarlett-Garcia
    • Chi Eta Phi Nursing Sorority, INC.        
  • Dr. Ayinde Madzimoyo
    • MALIK Fraternity, Inc.
  • Dr. Richard Gragg III
    • Epsilon Eta Environmental Fraternity
  • Dr. Rafiqur Rahman
    • Groove Phi Groove Social Fellowship, Inc.
  • Elizabeth McDougle
    • National Society of Pershing Angels,
  • Captain Tillesia Powell
    • National Society of Pershing Rifles,
  • Dr. Kenisha Thomas 
    • Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority, Inc.
  • VACANT / Chapter is Inactive
    • Sigma Lambda Beta National Fraternity, Inc. (Inactive)
  • Gregory Hill
    • Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity, Inc.
  • Gregory Hill
    • Gamma Sigma Sigma National Service Sorority, Inc.

Greek Affiliated Organizations

  • Andrea Wilson & Johnika Moss
    • SISTUHS Inc.
  • Abrium Evans & Kobe Buggs 
    • Progressive Black Men, Inc.
  • Antonio Witherspoon
    • Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia of America Fraternity, Inc.
  • Lanita Jones 
    • Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity, Inc.
  • Dr. Nicholas Thomas
    • Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity, Inc.
  • Dr. Nicholas Thomas & Dr. Camye White 
    • Tau Beta Sigma Honorary National Band Sorority, Inc.
  • VACANT/ Chapter is Inactive
    • Chi Rho Delta Fraternity & Sorority Choral Alliance, Inc. (Inactive)

 

Advisor Tips: Guide Without Taking Over

Everything Is A Teachable Moment.

Ask questions.

make Every Decision.

Help Students Understand Policy 

Complete Every Process For Them 

Challenge students to think ahead.

Wait until something goes wrong to become involved.

Maintain appropriate awareness of chapter operations.

Assume "no news is good news."

Encourage accountability.

Be afraid to hold them accountable or extend sanctions to members or the chapter when warrented.

Be afriad to contact the organizations national/regional office to ask questions, seek advice, get help or obtain clarity. (Non-Member Advisors)

Contact FSL when you need help.

Feel like you have to know everything.

Additional Advisor Resources