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Advice about Academic Advising

| As a Student | Tips for Advisees | Registration Tips | Important Contacts |

Academic Advising is an essential ingredient for successful completion of the baccalaureate degree. Together, the adviser and the student can clarify goals and career choices in an atmosphere of open communication.

The College of Arts and Sciences places high value on advising and has undertaken a systematic effort with department chairs, faculty, staff, and students to build a strong advising program.

Students should feel free to ask questions, share problems, seek referrals, and consider matters that will enhance the quality of student life. The responsibilities outlined in this page are offered to help heighten adviser and student understanding of the advising relationship.

• Now in place is a program designed to train all new advisers to be comfortable with the Blugold System, degree program analysis, GE requirements, majors/minors, and special program requirements. This program has been expanded to include continuing advisers.

As a student you should:

• Know policies and procedures concerning your program requirements, University graduation, and academic progress outlined in the University Catalogue, the course schedule, and relevant departmental materials.
• Know what is required for you to maintain good academic standing.
• Maintain personal copies of grade reports, degree audits, transfer credit evaluations, and other information regarding your university education.
• Know how to access information on your academic progress via the web-based advising system.
• Use electronic mail to contact (or respond to) your adviser. Initiate appointments with your adviser at least once a semester and follow up on adviser recommendations.
• Prepare for your meeting with your adviser by reading your degree audit and bringing it with you to the meeting.
• Request a What If... degree audit from Records and Registration if you are considering changing a major, minor, or catalogue.
• Have some vision of your academic career; prepare a semester by semester plan to enable you to complete your degree in a timely fashion.
• Prepare for your meeting with your adviser by creating a list of questions or concerns; ask questions until you understand.
• Evaluate periodically the amount of time you allocate to coursework, employment, and personal life.
• Try to strike a balance that ensures good academic progress.
• Identify a faculty member in your minor area to serve as an adviser.
• Notify the Office of Special Services concerning any disability you might have, and discuss with that office your need for specific accommodations.
• Be aware that you may need to change advisers; if so, discuss this with your current adviser and consult with the personnel in the appropriate department office.
• Make your own decisions on matters of course selection and withdrawals, and then accept responsibility for the impact of those decisions on your academic progress and standing.

Tips for Advisees

• Schedule regular meetings with your adviser until graduation. Know your degree audit well.
• Ask questions until you understand. Rely on the proper sources of information.

Registration Tips

• Make an appointment with your adviser well in advance of your registration time. Make sure you receive your Personal Advising Code (PAC). Pay your $100 deposit before you register. Construct an extended list of courses you might take and several possible schedules for each semester. One day and then again one hour before registering check for course availability through the Blugold system.
• If you cannot get into a course, check the computer regularly for "drops" and ask to be put on a waiting list.

Note: Each department has its own policy on first-day attendance. You may or may not be dropped if you do not attend. If you miss the first day of class, check with each department for its policy.

Important Contacts

Academic Advising Office	Schofield 226	Debbie Gough	836-3487
Academic Skills Center	Old Library 2112	Andrea Gapko	836-5844
Admissions Office	Schofield 112	Kristina Anderson	836-5415
Office of Multicultural Affairs	Schofield 225	Jesse Dixon	836-3367
Career Services	Schofield 226	Jeanne Skoug	836-5359
Counseling Services	Old Library 2122	P. J. Kennedy	836-5521
Student Development and Diversity	Schofield 240	Kimberly Barrett	836-2325
Financial Aid Office	Schofield 115	Kathy Sahlhoff	836-3373
Records and Registration	Schofield 130	Sue Moore	836-4524
Student Support Services	Schofield 201	Kathy Hurley	836-2136
Academic Testing	Schofield 226	Debbie Gough	836-5522