Advisor Resources
List of Groups and Their Advisors
Here is SOA’s record of student organizations and their advisors. Please contact Hayley Kretchmer if you see missing or incorrect information on this spreadsheet.
RSO Annual Requirements
All registered student organizations must complete the annual registration process (which launches every spring and lasts through the summer) to remain in good standing with SOA and maintain an active org status. More information about RSO annual requirements is here.
FY25 RSO Advisor Acknowledgement Form
Live Sessions for Advisors
- 2024-25 Advisor Orientation Recap: Here is the slide deck from the Advisor Orientation that took place in October 2024.
- Advisor Virtual Office Hours: These Office Hours typically happen once per quarter, and serve as a time for any current or prospective advisor to drop in and ask questions. The Office Hours are announced in the weekly advisor newsletter, which you can access by joining the advisor Listserv.
- Trainings: SOA hosts training topics throughout the academic year with input from current advisors. If you have topics you want to know more about or you are a department representative who is interested in presenting to the advisor community, please contact Hayley Kretchmer.
Group Overnight Travel
Domestic Overnight Travel
International Overnight Travel
- Group trips are defined as 2 or more students participating in a Northwestern funded and/or affiliated international trip.
- please check in with Andrea Mendoza at the Office of Global Safety and Security (OGSS) to get started on pre-departure preparation.
- Your student leaders should start planning with the RSO Trip Leader Checklist.
- Undergraduates planning to travel to restricted locations must submit a Travel Permission Request at least 8 weeks before departure.
- Communication with OGSS is essential to facilitating a smooth process, and students are encouraged to reach out before plans are finalized to avoid plan disruption.
Org Event Planning & Contracts
- Most campus (and some off-campus events) require contracts for everything between venue, audio-visual needs, speaker/guest honorariums, performers (including enrolled students), media rights, and more. More information about when a contract is needed including the process for processing them can be found here.
- In the meantime, remember two quick facts:
- RSO Advisors are not authorized to sign student group contracts. Students are not allowed to sign these agreements on behalf of Northwestern either.
- At a minimum, contracts should be turned into the appropriate Northwestern signatory office (frequently, Campus Life in Norris) at least two weeks prior to the organization's event. For contracts with more money involved or events with alcohol, and other conditions, contracts must be submitted to Campus Life at least six weeks in advance of the event.
Org Event Promotion
Please refer to this tab to better understand how and where on campus student organizations are permitted to promote their events.
Student Organization Financial Resources
Student Organization Finance Office (SOFO)
SOFO is the bank for student organization accounts located on the first floor of Norris University Center. It is free to open a SOFO account for registered student organizations. Accounts are managed by specific student officers in the organization. SOFO conducts their own account use training and communications with officers. For more information about their services, visit the SOFO website here.
Cashier's Office
The Cashier's Office in Norris, located next door to the SOFO window, offers a variety of other financial services for student organizations including cashier bags, accepting deposits for SOFO accounts, and more.
Debit Cards
The Cashier's Office in Norris manages a debit card program for registered student organizations to load cards for use. This comes with specific conditions and responsibilities for use. The advisor is responsible for maintaining the cards when they are not checked out. More information about the Debit Card program is available here.
Funding & Grant Opportunities
Please click here to learn more about the various funding opportunities across campus that SOA has been made aware of.
Wildcat Connection
All RSOs are listed on Wildcat Connection. Search by keyword, category, or name. There are also some non-RSO pages in the platform (e.g. social fraternity & sorority chapters, departments, and residential units). If you search for the group you advise and it does not pop up, it is likely frozen; please reach out to Hayley Kretchmer to inquire about this.
Student Leadership Development
Aside from the support of SOA, there is a wealth of other resources available for you and your registered student organization to support student leadership as well as recognize individual and group commitment towards Northwestern's values. These are all electives designed by offices at Northwestern to enhance the leadership experience of your students.
Grounding for Public Service (GPS)
Grounding for Public Service Club is a weekly learning and connecting space focused on social justice and equity education in Evanston and Chicago. GPS Club engages students in learning about the Evanston and Chicago community, including physical environment, local culture, history, and people. We focus on growing our knowledge of Evanston and Chicago through a radical justice and equity lens. The goal is to build a community of informed and engaged citizens.
The GPS program meets on Tuesdays in Parkes Hall 120 from 5-6:30pm for free dinner, learning, and small group conversations. GPS is open to all with no prerequisites or barriers for entry.
Leadership Workshops
LDCE can coordinate custom workshops for your student organization. More information can be found here.
Organizing for Justice
Organizing for Justice teaches students how to advocate for effective, positive social change in their communities. More information about the Organizing for Justice program can be found on this page.
Leadership Framework
LDCE has developed a specialized framework for understanding leadership at Northwestern. This project is the result of years of gathering information from students and advisors, published research, and student development theory. The framework names our aspirations for students' leadership development so they may graduate with the foundations needed to engage in change. More information about the Leadership Framework here.
Northwestern Career Advancement
Is your organization looking for campus partners to provide pre-professional programming or connections to employers? Northwestern Career Advancement can help members of student organizations showcase professional skills and prepare for fulfilling careers. NCA staff will work with student organizations to facilitate customized career-related workshops and can help your executive board connect with employers/alumni in a variety of industries. Your student leaders can fill out this form to request a presentation. We’re happy to work with advisors too! If you or your student leaders are interested in learning more about partnering with NCA, contact nca@northwestern.edu.
Campus Safety Policies
Here are a few common topics for advisors to learn about as they advise registered student organizations at Northwestern.
Hazing Prevention Resources
The Office of Community Standards leads our community in educating our student organizations on acceptable recruitment activities and behaviors. The Hazing Prevention website offers resources regarding how hazing is defined at Northwestern, actions to take when hazing incidents are reported, and ensuring a safe community for our student organizations.
Alcohol Policy
Any campus events where alcohol may be present on- or off-campus sponsored by a Northwestern registered student organization must abide by university event planning procedures. Details regarding alcohol at events for undergraduate students can be found here.
University Policy Index Resource
Northwestern also offers a Policy Index A-Z for various topics.
Key Information and Dates for Groups to Know
- Advance Scheduling
- ASG Funding Cycle
- SOAcon: Mid-Spring
- Annual Registration: Launches mid-spring, extends through summer
- Student Organization Fairs: Fall Week 1, Winter Week 1, Spring Week 1
Supporting Students Experiencing Sociopolitical Stress
This document offers helpful tips and tools for supporting your students.