Advisement Center

What is the function of my faculty adviser?

• To ensure the completion of courses required for the major
• To review and approve all schedule-related business
• To answer questions about the major
• To review academic progress and offer suggestions for improving performance and/or enhancing the academic experience
• To clarify academic policies

How are advisers assigned? Am I able to change advisers?

• The School office assigns an adviser to every new student.
• Students may request a different adviser through the School office. If the preferred faculty member is able to accept another advisee, a change can be made.
• When students transfer into a different major, the adviser will change also.

What if I don't like/take recommendations of my adviser?

• The student is ultimately responsible for all academic choices and decisions; therefore, ignoring an adviser's recommendation is a choice.
• It's a safe assumption that the adviser is more knowledgeable than the student about the major and academic policies; therefore, ignoring recommendations might create problems in meeting graduation requirements.

When must I consult with my adviser?

• Any schedule shift: dropping or adding a course
• When changing the major
• When withdrawing from the College
• When drafting the next semester's schedule

When should I consult with my adviser?

• If uncertain about the choice of major
• If uncertain about readiness for a certain course
• If confused by academic policy
• If experiencing problems with coursework

What academic policies are the most important to understand?

• Number of times a course may be repeated
• Refund policy
• Developmental course completion
• Completing the major after withdrawing from the College
• Transferring credits from another college
• Which courses satisfy general elective requirements

Where can I get information on academic policies?

• College Catalog, either the printed or the on-line version
• Your adviser
• Your School office

Why must I meet with my adviser for scheduling?

• Some courses are Fall or Spring only offerings; miss a required course, and you may extend your program.
• Many courses carry prerequisites and/or corequisites; your adviser can alert you to the appropriate course.
• Many students in associate degrees intend to transfer into baccalaureate programs; the adviser can steer you to courses that will work for both credentials..

When and where do I schedule for next semester?

• View course offerings through the Student Information System (SIS) to review available courses and draft the schedule you think will work for you.
• Make an appointment to meet with your adviser* prior to scheduling. You will work with your scheduling profile to identify courses and sections and share your “rough draft”.
• Your scheduling time and date* is noted on your scheduling profile. You may not schedule classes before that date and time.
• Schedule online through the SIS or go to the Advisement Center or Registrar's Office for assistance.

* See the Registrar's Office Web site for advising and scheduling time frames.

Should I miss class if my day/time to enter my schedule happens when I am in class?

• Absolutely not!
• You may enter your schedule at any day/time after your identified slot.