Erie Co. DSS Employee Education Program: Filling in the Advisement Gap

Information to assist those students who are unable, or find it difficult, to attend face-to-face sessions with advisors.

Created by: josie adamo

Advisement at Buffalo State College

• Academic advising is mandatory at Buffalo State College and students are encouraged to contact their advisor early in the semester (as early as the 3rd week of classes) to discuss their academic goals and progress.

• The advising process is two-sided. The ultimate responsibility for making decisions about goals and educational plans rests with the individual student based on the information and advice provided by the advisor. The advisor aids the student's decision-making process and helps to identify and assess alternatives and the consequences of decisions.

Mission, Vision, and Core Values• MISSION• The Academic Advisement Center assists students in making the academic and personal choices

that help them identify and accomplish their educational, professional, and personal goals. The Academic Advisement Center serves all Buffalo State students, but the primary constituency of the center staff is undeclared students.

• VISION• The University College’s Academic Advisement Center will be a leader at Buffalo State and

nationally, known for its effective guidance of exploring students to achieve timely graduation

• CORE VALUES• Academic advising is an integral part of the process of higher education.; it is teaching, mentoring,

counseling, and coaching students to help them make informed choices that accomplish their educational, professional, and personal goals.

• Regular advisor/student contact is essential for an effective working relationship. Advisors are accountable to students and the institution for the professionalism of their conduct and the accuracy of the information they provide.

• Advisors help students establish realistic goals and accurate self-perceptions that guide decision making about academic and professional choices.

• Advisors assist students with their transitions to the academic world by helping them see value in the learning process, gain perspective on the college experience, understand the college culture and environment, set priorities, and accept accountability for their decisions and actions.

Purpose of Advising

1. Protects students:a. Facilitates timely graduationb. Demonstrates how to negotiate bureaucratic

systems and how to network after college2. Students should:

a. Maintain a file of all paperwork for documentation purposesb. Use the electronic catalog:

http:// www.buffalostate.edu/undergradcat.xmlc. Keep all advisement slips

Advisor’s Responsibility

• Your advisor:– Helps you define and develop realistic academic

and career goals– Assists you in planning a reasonable program

toward timely graduation– Is knowledgeable about college policies and

procedures and explain them to you– Establishes and maintains an accessible schedule– Refers you to support services when appropriate

Advisee’s Responsibility• You should:

– Know the policies and procedures in the catalog, which is your contract with the institution

– Access Degree Navigator http://www.buffalostate.edu/registrar/dn4student.xml to evaluate your progress and the placement of required courses

– Define and develop your career goals realistically– Remain in constant contact with your advisor– Use support services as needed– Read all mail received from the college, both in hard

copy and electronic

Time Constraints Facing the Working Adult Student

• The GEC requirements may be found at: http://www.buffalostate.edu/registrar/documents/gec.htm

• The GE2K requirements may be found at:http://www.buffalostate.edu/registrar/documents/ge2000.htm

• The Intellectual Foundations requirements may be found at:http://www.buffalostate.edu/intellectualfoundations/x536.xml

One major issue facing the working adult is limited time availability. Unfortunately, time availability of advisee and advisor are at odds. Therefore, the following information is intended to assist the student in making informed choices about course selection prior to discussion with the advisor. It is imperative that all students have knowledge concerning the program of General Education requirements for which they are apart. The links below will help you determine what program you are in and where your courses fit within that program.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I find out who my advisor is? Look in Banner under Personal Information. Select the latest term avail able. If no advisor is listed, and:

* You are in a major, contact your department* You are undeclared and a part of Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), call 878-4225* You are undeclared, call the Academic Advisement Center 878-5223

2. What do I do if I have credits from another institution?

Credits from other institutions will only be accepted with official transcripts. For information, visit: http://www.buffalostate.edu/admissions/transfer.xml

or call: 878-4017

3. How do I withdraw from a class?If a student fails to officially withdraw from a course, an E grade will be recorded. For

information, visit: http://www.buffalostate.edu/academicaffairs/x559.xml

4. How do I take a class pass/fail?Pass/fail option is not available to first-year students. For information, visit:http://www.buffalostate.edu/academicaffairs/x567.xml

Frequently Asked Questions (cont’d)

5. Where can I get help with study skills/success tips?Academic Skills Center offers an array of assistance. For information, visit:http://www.buffalostate.edu/academicsupport/x491.xml or call 878-4041

6. Is the library open on weekends?Yes, the library is open both Saturday and Sunday. For information, visithttp://library.buffalostate.edu/hours/february.php or call 878-6300

7. I find myself feeling overly stressed...is there someone I can talk to?The counseling center staff is there to help. For information, visit:http://buffalostate.edu/counselingcenter/x457.xml or call 878-4436

The Counseling Center Village is made up of many individual home pagescreated by colleges and university counseling centers. For self-help information on a variety of topics, visit The Virtual Pamphlet Collection:

http://ccvillage.buffalo.edu/vpc.html

Things you can do to help you become informed about issues concerning your education.

• Contact advisor as early as possible in order to find a meeting time conducive to both schedules.

• Your advisor is going to ask you about your career interests/goals. Begin thinking about this conversation before you meet with an advisor. What program/courses will best help you in your goals/position? Is there a possibility that you may receive credit for work experience?

• If you have already declared a major, look up your degree program in the college catalog website for course requirements. Check potential courses you might want to register for in the college catalog or Banner. Note course descriptions and prerequisite requirements, along with any questions you want to discuss.

• Review your Degree Navigator (student audit), and write down any questions or concerns you have

regarding your major or course requirements for your session.

• Check Banner for Registration Holds and your specific registration date.

• Pay attention to deadlines such as last day to drop/add, tuition payment due date, refund period, course withdrawal period, graduation application deadline. If you miss one, it could cost you, both educationally and financially.

• Select classes based on your academic capabilities. For example, if math and science are challenging areas for you, do not take these courses in the same semester.

• Be careful when selecting summer and inter-semester classes. Remember that you are receiving 15 weeks' worth of information in a 2 to 5 week period. The pace can be fast and furious.

• Communication is the key – don’t be afraid to ask for help or discuss issues that are relevant to your educational, personal, social or career development. This is your session.

• Read any Buffalo State College material that you receive either by mail or in-person. This material often contains vital information that may be essential for your academic achievement.

• Obtain the facts. Don’t assume that college policy advice from other students is accurate.

• Students should:Save copies of all college documents (transcripts, drop/add forms, receipts for

registration and graduation applications, change of area forms, etc.) You may need to refer to them in the future. Ask for and keep a copy of your advisement slip.

http:// www.buffalostate.edu/undergradcat.xmlKeep all advisement slips

The college holds you responsible for your academicprogress …. but, you don’t have to go it alone!!!

Spring 2010 Fall 2010

• Monday, January 25, 2010 Classes Begin

• Friday, January 29, 2010 Deadline for Indep. Study, Project, Course by Contract

• Sunday, January 31, 2010 Registration Ends for Spring 2010

• Friday, February 05, 2010 Deadline for Degree Applications (May)

• Monday, February 15, 2010 - Tuesday, February 16, 2010 President's Day

Recess (No Classes)• Monday, March 29, 2010 –

Saturday April 03, 2010 Spring Recess (No

Classes)• Wednesday, April 07, 2010 Deadline for Course

W/D, Pass/Fail Appl.Registration Begins Sum/Fall 2010

• Friday, May 07, 2010 Leave of Absenceother than Medical, Withdrawal from College Study Day

• Monday, May 10, 2010 –Thursday, May 13, 2010 Critique &

EvaluationPeriod (CEP) Final Day of Spring 2010 Semester

• Friday, May 14, 2010 Emergency CEP Day

• Saturday, May 15, 2010 Commencement

• Monday, August 30, 2010 Classes Begin

• Monday, September 06, 2010 Labor Day Recess (no

classes)• Thursday, September 16, 2010 Academic

Convocation

• Monday, October 11, 2010 Fall Recess (no classes)

• Thursday, November 11, 2010 Veterans Day Recess (no classes)

• Wednesday, November 24, 2010 – Saturday, November 27, 2010 Thanksgiving

Day Recess (no classes)

• Friday, December 10, 2010 Study Day

• Monday, December 13, 2010 –Thursday, December 16, 2010 Critique &

Evaluation Period (CEP)

• Thursday, December 16, 2010 Final Day of Fall 2010 Semester

• Friday, December 17, 2010 Emergency CEP Day

Campus Phone Numbers

• Academic Skills Center 878-4041• Alumni Office 878-6001• Barnes and Noble Bookstore 878-5509• BSC Copy Center 878-4509• Counseling Center 878-4436• Disability Services 878-4500• E. H. Butler Library 878-6300• Equity and Campus Diversity 878-6210

Campus Phone Numbers (cont’d)

• Fitness Center 878-3816 Minority Student Services 878-4631

• Motor Assistance Program 878-6333• Safe Escort Program 878-6333• University Police 878-6333• Weigel Health Center 878-6711

References• Skorupa, Kenn (2002, December). Adult learners as consumers. The Academic Advising News,

25(3). Retrieved -insert today's date- from the NACADA Clearinghouse of Academic Advising Resources Web site: http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/Clearinghouse/AdvisingIssues/adultlearners.htm

• http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/index.htm

• http://www.buffalostate.edu/academicsupport/x7.xml