ACADEMIC ADVISING

Effective: August 15, 2024

Purpose: To outline the objectives and responsibilities for advising University students.

Scope: This policy applies to all University students campus wide.

Responsible Office: Academic Affairs; General University

Policy Statement: Students and faculty share responsibilities for academic advising. Academic advising involves good course schedule planning and at the same time balances the student's course load with goals and capabilities, outside work, and other responsibilities. Special attention may be given to students experiencing problems handling or maintaining interest in their academic work. Advisors may assist students who have personal, financial, family, work-related, housing, or other concerns to find help in resolving the problem. Advisors must be knowledgeable of the various campus support services and the help available.

Academic Advising Requirements

Effective academic advising is central to the educational mission of the Board of Regents, and as such, must meet certain requirements as described by Board of Regents’ policy. To ensure that all students have access to high quality advising, the University shall establish an Academic Advising System (System), which shall provide the following:

• Goal Setting: The System should help students to set both short-term and long-term educational goals.
• Information: The System should be able to accurately inform students of graduation requirements of their academic program. It should be sensitive to the importance of strategic course selections to minimize the number of semesters required for graduation. Additionally, it should be able to inform students of career opportunities in their field of study.
• Transitions: The System should inform students on how to change colleges and/or academic units. Furthermore, the System should provide information to explain the process students follow to enroll in the curriculum and to drop or add courses during the semester.
• Accessibility: The System should have reasonable hours and methods of availability for students. Additionally, students should be able to set up appointments within the System for an adequate amount of time to make curricular selections and career choices.
• Referral Campus Resources: The System should be able to refer students to various campus resources including, but not limited to: University counseling services, student activities, and career and employment services.

The System shall provide information to students to inform them of their responsibilities in the academic advising process.

The System shall be responsible for the necessary training of academic advisors to assist them in meeting the responsibilities of this policy.

Freshman and Undeclared Student Advisement

The Student Advising Center (SAC) provides academic advising and assistance to all freshmen and undeclared students (regardless of classification) to make a satisfactory transition to college life. Advisors in SAC provide referrals to other offices and support services as deemed appropriate for assisting students to realize their personal and educational goals.

SAC sessions with freshmen and undeclared students allow the advisor and advisee an opportunity to discuss issues related to the advisee’s past academic performance, aspirations for a major and degree, short-term and long-term goals, career opportunities, transition information, referrals to other resources, and other factors which influence the academic achievement. If an advisee shows signs of academic difficulty during the semester or if concerns have been expressed by an instructor, the student will be asked to see the SAC advisor.

Undergraduate Student Advisement

All undergraduate students with declared majors, with the exception of those advised in the SAC, are assigned advisors in their academic units. Students must work with their advisors to arrange and approve class schedules for the following semester. It is advisable for students to make appointments with their advisors.

Graduate Student Advisement

New graduate degree-seeking students are assigned advisors by their academic unit.

International Student Advisement

The Office of International Education (OIE) is responsible for the initial counseling and advising of international students, the processing of all undergraduate and graduate international student admissions correspondence, reviewing and evaluating foreign credentials, and coordinating an orientation and enrollment program for international students. Once the international student has completed all Intensive English Program requirements, the student will be assigned an academic advisor in the same manner as any other student.

International Education also issues government exchange and immigration forms.

Definitions: All words and phrases shall be interpreted utilizing their plain meanings unless otherwise defined in another University or Board of Regents policy or by statute or regulation.

Procedures: All procedures linked and related to the policies above shall have the full force and effect of policy if said procedures have first been properly approved by the University’s administrator in charge of Academic Affairs.

[Academic Affairs procedures - coming soon]

[General University procedures - coming soon]

Related Policy Information: [coming soon]