Chapter Listserv Question for Advisors

[AGDLynn]

Are you on the collegiate chapter listserv?

[lauralaylin]

Not really. For one chapter I am not included in their emails (they don't actually have a listserv), but if there's anything I need to see, someone always emails it to me. I sometimes get 3 or more forwards of the same thing. At the other school I advise, I'm actually a moderator, but the collegiates don't really post so it's no big deal.

In my opinion, it's not up to the advisers to deal with all the petty little things that can go on with those list servs. I figure if it's important enough, someone will let me know.

My collegiate chapter doesn't have a listserv either, but when it came to emails, I was only cc'ed when the e-mails were regarding the office I advised. It didn't really matter to me if chapter was being moved to another night or so-and-so didn't turn in their study sheets, etc.

IIRC, only the chapter advisor got all the collegiate e-mails.

All the important chapter info I needed to know was given at monthly EC.

[ADqtPiMel]

I am on their listserv...I find that it increases my awareness of certain things, like potential attitude problems, etc.

[KSigkid]

From a fraternity perspective, the chapter I advised did not have a listserve. Myself and the other advisors would be included on for certain chapter matters, and if there were any burning issues, we could either contact the EC (executive committee) members or go to the chapter meetings ourselves.

[FSUZeta]

we are included on their listserve.

[gpb1874]

Originally Posted by ADqtPiMel

I am on their listserv...I find that it increases my awareness of certain things, like potential attitude problems, etc.

I have to ditto that....at least for the main chapter advisor. I'm not sure it's necessary to have all the other advisor's on the list, but it was a huge help to be on it when I was a chapter advisor. With this generation, they like to handle problems or issues over email instead of in person at a meeting, so I was able to deal with issues or work with the right officer to deal with it.

[Cardinal026]

I wish that our advisor could have been on the listserv, since we had policies about what could and couldn't be discussed on one, and it would've been easier to have their help in observing personnel issues, etc, but our school's listserv's only allowed our universities e-mail addresses, none of which our advisors had.

On the other hand, I'd hate to be an advisor and wade through the hundreds of e-mails about borrowing a dress for a fraternity semi formal or "congrats chi o football!" messages.

[emb021]

Yes, I am on the chapter listservs of the chapters I advise. Also, as a sectional staffer overseeing several chapters, I am on their listservs as well (as is our section chairman).

Some chapters use their listservs well, others don't. By having advisors (and appropriate alumni volunteers/leaders) on them, they are kept in the loop as to possible problems, etc. I've never cared for the attitude of some advisors that they will just wait until they are contacted about something. This usually means they may not hear about a problem until its really serious, or be left out of stuff because 'someone forgot to tell the advisors'.