This document provides guidance for student government leaders on developing relationships with campus administrators and handling difficult situations. It recommends getting to know administrators early on through informal meetings to build trust and communication. When issues arise, leaders should remain calm and controlled, focus on facts, understand all sides of the issue, and work towards a win-win solution that benefits students. Proper preparation, follow through, respectful conduct, and keeping the overall goals in mind can help leaders successfully navigate tensions with administration.

2.  Developing the relationship
◦ Getting off on the right foot
◦ Being and maintaining professionalism
 Handling difficult situations
◦ Focus on the facts and do your homework
◦ Control your emotions
 Seek win-win solutions when possible
◦ Understand the other side
◦ Create your plan
◦ Eye on the prize

3.  Getting off on the right foot:
◦ Meet with administrators early in your term
 Informal meetings/Meet and Greets
 Begin to build trust and communication
 Figure out who is who on campus
◦ Professional but casual
 Administrators often have varying views of students
and how to work with them.
 Being professional allows you to break down potential
walls.

5.  Dress appropriately for the situation
◦ A presidential cabinet meeting won’t be held in your bedroom
so don’t dress like it.
 Be prepared
◦ Competency earns respect.
 Do what you say you are going to do
◦ Consistent follow through builds trust consistently.
 Respect the position even if you don’t respect the person
◦ Whether you like them or not, they have power and can help
you.
 Remember who you represent, but seek solutions
◦ Solving problems serves students better than making a point.

6.  There inevitably will be tension with your
campus administrators.
 How you handle these situations will be key
in your success.
 There are a few key steps to handling any
difficult issue.

7.  In order to diffuse potential fireworks, make
sure you have all the information you need.
 If you find holes in what you know, ask
questions.
 Bring the players together to discuss the
issue, but don’t meet just to meet.
 Make sure you have the right people at the
right meetings.
 Keep the big picture in mind inside the jungle
of details.

8.  It’s easy to get caught up and react emotionally when
you care about the issues on which you work.
 Maintaining and controlling a professional outlook is a
must for several reasons:
◦ When you get emotional, you’re more likely to make
mistakes.
◦ Emotions close lines of communication.
◦ Emotional reactions can alienate potential allies.

9.  In the end, your job is to win victories for
your constituents (students).
 Crafting a strategy is easier when you can
map out a road to victory.
 You have to give something to get
something.
 There are a few key steps to working toward
a win-win.

10.  In order to be successful, you need to
understand your administration’s position.
 Ask clarifying questions.
 Small misunderstandings can have huge
consequences.
 Get positions in writing so you can reference
them later.

11.  It’s always advisable to have a plan or an
idea of what you want to accomplish.
 Map out some potential solutions and
break them down from both your
perspective and that of your administration.
 Use your resources to determine the best
course of action.
 Finalize your plan and prepare.

12.  Be ready to change your plan as you discuss
issues with your administration.
 Stay focused on your ultimate goal and don’t
miss out on easy solutions.
 Winning for your constituents is MUCH more
important than winning for yourself.

13.  Develop and maintain key relationships
 Let your personality carry you, don’t let
personalities ruin you.
 Seek win-win solutions and remember that you will
likely have to give something to get something.
 Understand what consultation means and what it
doesn’t.
 Stay focused on finding solutions
 Be professional and carry yourself that way at ALL
times.