Academic Advising TIPS

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Academic Advising TIPS
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Role of the Academic Advisor

• A central role of the advisor is to help the
  student define and develop realistic goals, to
  perceive his/her needs accurately and to match
  these needs with appropriate institutional
  resources. The advising process includes the
  exploration of the students long-range and
  immediate educational and career goals, course
  selection and placement. An evaluation of
  interests and special abilities should be
  included in this process.
• The academic advising relationship is best
  carried out in an atmosphere of caring and
  trusting. Through the process, the advisor will
  be helping Midway students meet many of their
  life-long goals and prepare for a rewarding
  career. It is not sufficient to be merely a
  source of accurate information. To be effective,
  an advisor must exercise non-judgmental listening
  skills and clear, distinct communication
  techniques. In addition, the advisor must
  strongly encourage the student to take
  responsibility for his/her own educational
  requirements and decisions.
• The faculty advisor needs to be familiar with the
  Colleges curricula, be totally conversant with
  the requirements of the major or programs he or
  she is advising and with the Colleges policies,
  procedures and academic regulations that impact
  students. These procedures are typically found
  in the College Catalog.
• Advising is a powerful tool in the Colleges
  efforts to improve student retention. Students
  who receive adequate counseling and who feel
  emotionally and academically supported by a
  competent and professional advisor are thought to
  persist longer and are more likely to graduate
  than students who do not feel a strong tie with
  their advisor.

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LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS

• The College Catalog is the Contract between the
  STUDENT and the COLLEGE

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Although it is the students responsibility for
his/her course selections and academic progress

• The Advisor serves as the students counselor and
  must be familiar with
• The contents of the catalog including the
  general education and degree requirements
• The Colleges policies and procedures as they are
  applied to students

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Court cases involving academic advising are few.
If they occur they usually revolve around issues
of fraud and misrepresentationnot good-faith
advising mistakes.
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Tips for Advisors

• Document every official meeting with advisees to
  note (in writing) any conversations about
  possible situations, waivers, etc.
• Keep the Curriculum Tracking Sheet for the
  student up-to-date
• Remember that the Division Chairs/Executive Dean
  must approve all cases in which an individual
  students degree path deviates from the College
  Catalog

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Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

• FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect
  to their childrens education records. This
  rights transfer to the student when he/she
  reaches the age of 18 or attends a school beyond
  the high school level.

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THE ADVISORS ROLE IN RETENTION

• Students who receive adequate counseling and feel
  emotionally and academically supported by a
  competent/professional advisor are more likely to
  graduate than students that dont feel a strong
  tie with their advisor.

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Tips to Improve Retention

• Assist the student in identifying her strengths
  and encourage her to utilize them in choosing a
  career/major
• Get to know the student on a personal level
• Be non-judgmental
• Listen
• Be honest and communicate clearly
• Be available
• Encourage the student to become involved in
  campus and community activities/service
• Be a role model