Fraternity & Sorority Life
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Chapter Graduate Advisor

The Chapter Graduate Advisor (CGA) serves as an advisor for a fraternity or sorority chapter. The CGA assists in providing direction and support to chapter leadership and general membership, in cooperation with the chapter advisor and/or advisory board. The Chapter Graduate Advisor provides advising related to achieving community and chapter-specific goals, specifically regarding scholarship, leadership, service and philanthropy, risk management and accountability, policy interpretation, chapter operations, membership development, community building, and membership recruitment/intake. In addition, the CGA participates in some communitywide program and education in the fraternity and sorority community including but not limited to Fraternity & Sorority Fest, Homecoming, and the Fraternity & Sorority Leadership Institute.

Areas of focus are dependent on the needs of the specific fraternity and sorority chapter. However, potential areas of advisor involvement include:

  • Providing a positive developmental experience for chapter members, as well as serving as a positive change agent for chapter and in the larger fraternity and sorority community.
  • Assisting in the development and implementation of programs that respond to specific needs of the chapter.
  • Developing and maintaining good interpersonal relationships with chapter leadership.
  • Assisting chapter president and executive board officers in setting goals and objectives.
  • Building connections between chapter leadership, chapter advisors, the inter/national organization, and the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life.
  • Promoting compliance with and accountability to federal, state and local laws, as well as policies and expectations of Colorado State University, the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, the chapter’s respective governing council, and the chapter’s inter/national organization.
  • Developing developmental educational and programming interventions to address issues, goals, or concerns within the chapter.
 

Responsibilities of a Chapter/Alumni Advisor

  • Provide guidance and advice to the chapter
  • Attend chapter/executive meetings weekly
  • Advise chapter officers
  • Meet weekly with the chapter president and
  • Meet Regularly with other officers to discuss important chapter issues
  • Actively communicate with chapter members, OFSL staff, regional/province offices, and inter/national headquarters as required
  • Read and understand the Elevation Accreditation Program to support the chapter’s adherence to their Action Plan, and their ultimate accreditation status
  • Be knowledgeable about procedures and policies associated with the inter/national organization

Tips for Chapter Graduate Advisors

  • Consider joining and becoming involved in the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors (AFA)
  • Use the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life as a resource
  • Access University resources and connect chapter members to these resources
  • Determine which mode of communication works best when interacting with chapter members (email, phone calls, in-person meetings, etc.)
  • Create a trusting relationship with chapter officers by building rapport
  • Serve as a positive role model to chapter members
  • Let the group know you’re there to help and assess their needs
  • Respond to all questions and request for help in a timely manner
  • Assist the chapter in developing an academic support program that helps encourage individual and collective success
  • Review the chapter’s Elevation Accreditation Program submissions to support their efforts toward accreditation and improvement
  • Initiate communication with the chapter/alumni/ advisor, regional/province officer and/or inter/national headquarters to provide your contact and background information and solicit accurate names for local and regional contact people

Chapter Graduate Advisors are expected to participate in all of the following activities:

  • Semesterly Chapter Graduate Advisor trainings
  • Monthly Chapter Graduate Advisor meetings
  • Biweekly supervisor one-on-one meetings
  • Weekly chapter meetings
  • Weekly chapter executive board meetings
  • Weekly chapter president one-on-one meetings
  • Chapter programs and events (as necessary)
  • Community-wide programs and events
  • Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life programs and events
  • Consistent completion of a biweekly Chapter Graduate Advisor report, which can be completed here.