The purpose of academic advising is to provide students with appropriate counsel in pursuing their academic degrees. The University has embraced developmental academic advising, which is a goal- and growth-oriented process helping students assess their strengths and weaknesses; set realistic academic and other goals; and monitor progress toward achievement of these goals.
In this process, seven elements are essential and are discussed with students. They are:
- Advising is a continuous process with accumulation of personal contacts between adviser and student — these contacts have both direction and purpose.
- Advising must concern itself with quality-of-life issues, and the adviser has a responsibility to attend to the quality of the student’s experience in college.
- Advising is goal related. The goals should be established and owned by the student and should encompass academic, career and personal development areas.
- Advising requires the establishment of a caring human relationship, one in which the adviser must take primary responsibility for its initial development.
- Advisers should be models for students to emulate, specifically demonstrating behaviors that lead to self-responsibility and self-directiveness.
- Advising should seek to integrate the services and expertise of both academic and student affairs professionals.
- Advisers should seek to utilize as many campus and community resources as possible.
Faculty advisers are available to assist students in planning their academic programs, but students have the responsibility for meeting all requirements for their degrees. Students are urged to take advantage of the advisory and consultation services available at the University. They should feel free to consult with professors, academic advisers, department chairpersons, academic deans, staff of the Scheduling Center in Noss Hall and the provost. All of these University representatives maintain regular office hours for student consultations.
Schedules for new students are developed based on preferred schedules approved by the academic departments. All schedules are reviewed by faculty and students before confirmation. Currently enrolled students are expected to seek the appropriate resources. All may register online and some departments place holds on registration until students have visited an adviser. Fulfillment of program requirements for a degree is ultimately the responsibility of the student.