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Best Advising Practices for Students
Students read and understand the catalog; they should know the academic requirements for General Education, degree, major, and minor.
Students consult with their advisers throughout their academic careers since the major adviser will be signing the graduation application form. Students develop and maintain relationships with their advisers. Students share career goals and any special needs with their advisers. Advisers are important contacts for recommendations for study abroad programs, internships, graduate schools, and employment.
Students go to their faculty advisers for assistance with academic and career choices and for referral to other campus resources; however, students understand that the final responsibility for making choices and for the consequences of these choices is theirs alone.
Students know who their advisers are, where advisers’ offices are located, what their advisers’ office hours are, and the manner in which different advisers prefer to be contacted (e.g., phone, e-mail, drop-in during office hours). Students know that academic units can be contacted for this information.
Students are well prepared when going to their advisers’ office hours or to a pre-arranged advising conference (e.g., with appropriate GenEd checklist, a tentative schedule of classes for the next semester, a list of questions about fulfilling graduation requirements, a sense of career goals). If a student has questions about registering for classes, s/he seeks advice well before his or her registration appointment. Students make sure to schedule enough time for their questions to be considered thoroughly, and students make sure that they understand the advice being given.
Students understand that advisers have a limited role and responsibility. Students go to appropriate offices for administrative forms and information; students seek approval, when required, from appropriate sources.
