how to use and implement the academic advising syllabus jill brown campus advising network western...
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How to Use and Implement the Academic Advising
Syllabus
Jill BrownCampus Advising Network
Western Kentucky UniversityApril 22, 2009
Points to be covered:
Advising issues students deem most important
How to design an academic advising syllabus
How to use the academic advising syllabus
Resources
Why am I interested in advising?
What issues do students deem most important in advising?
Summary of study performed by Smith and Allen
Web-based survey February 2003 Portland State University 2,193 student participants Rated importance of 12 advising
functions
Issues Students Deem Most Important in Advising – Smith and Allen, 2006
1. Accurate Information
2. Major Connect3. How Things Work4. Overall Connect5. Skills, Abilities,
Interests6. Know as an
Individual
7. Shared Responsibility
8. Referral Academic9. Degree Connect10. Gen Ed Connect11. Referral
Nonacademic12. Out-of-class
Connect
Do you ever feel like you explain the same things over and over during your advising sessions?
Answers will vary It depends on who you advise What information do freshmen and
sophomores need? What information do juniors,
seniors, and graduate students need?
Idea Worksheet - Questions 1, 2, 3
Academic Advising Syllabus
Academic Advising Syllabus
Similar to a course syllabus
What is important to include?
Individual or Departmental Approach
Students can access important accurate information
What is important to include? Advisor contact information Advising mission statement Student responsibilities Advisor responsibilities Expected outcomes of advising Important dates/timeline Links to WKU websites TopNet – How to’s
Example of an Academic Advising Syllabus
College Approach
South Campus Academic Advising Syllabus
Compiled by BGCC members of the MAC Class of 2008:Jill Brown, Clint Haynes, Brenda Miller, & Megan
Thompson
Academic Advising SyllabusAdvisor Contact Information:
Name: Office Number:
E-Mail: Office Hours:
Phone Number:
Advising Mission Statement: Advising at Bowling Green Community College involves trained academic advisors collaborating with advisees to determine and implement their academic plans and future career goals, one student at a time.
BGCC Advising Syllabus Student Responsibilities: Schedule and attend advising appointment at least once
a semester Prepare for advising appointment:
Complete and bring advising checklist http://www.bgcc.wku.edu/PDFiles/ACADEMIC-ADVISING-
CHECKLIST.doc Print general ed or iCAP report (see TopNet how to section)
Regularly check campus e-mail for correspondence from advisor and reply as needed
Students should be proactive and take ownership of their academic endeavors
Students will keep an accurate account of their grades in current courses
BGCC Advising Syllabus
Advisor Responsibilities: Effectively communicate accurate
information and provide referrals to appropriate services
Encourage students to participate in campus activities/organizations related to their interests and career goals
Corresponds prior to registration timeframe Reserves adequate time for consultation
during advising appointment Available to meet with advisee during
scheduled advising hours or by appointment
BGCC Advising Syllabus
Expected Outcomes of Advising: Collaboration of student and advisor in selection
of courses prior to registration Advisees will gain a thorough understanding of
the importance of advising in regard to: Course selection and requirements Development of a degree program Career options
Discuss and establish a path toward the student’s academic goals, based on the career interests and academic strength of each advisee
Establish a relationship wherein advisee feels comfortable approaching advisor for academic advice
BGCC Advising Syllabus
Important Dates/Advising Timeline:
Last day to register and rearrange a full time course load
Last day to drop/withdraw with a W and $20 fee
Priority registration And other important dates http://www.wku.edu/Dept/Support/
AcadAffairs/Registrar/acad_calendar.htm
BGCC Advising Syllabus
When do I register? Go to the Office of the Registrar Registration
Guide: http://www.wku.edu/Dept/Support/AcadAffairs/
Registrar/regguide.htm Click on the semester for which you want to
find your registration date. Under Table of Contents find the page number
for Advising and Registration Information Scroll down to the appropriate page. Under
Priority Registration , find your registration date.
BGCC Advising Syllabus
Links:
Advising Frequently Asked Questions http://www.bgcc.wku.edu/Advising.html
Registration Frequently Asked Questions http://www.wku.edu/Dept/Support/
AcadAffairs/Registration/faq.htm
BGCC Advising Syllabus
Other Helpful Links: AdvisorTrac Academic Advising & Retention Center Campus Directory Career Services Catalog Counseling and Testing Center Financial Aid Site Index Student Disability Services
BGCC Advising Syllabus
How To – An Example
How to run an iCAP report: Pull up TopNet –Student Services
Main Menu Click on “Student Services” Click on “iCAP (Interactive Degree
Audit) Click on “Submit an Audit”
Departmental Approach
Discipline related information
Major information
Use website links
Idea Worksheet - Question 4
Individual Approach
- Contact information
- Appointment information
- Idea Worksheet – Question 5
How to use the academic advising syllabus
Distribute to students
Send it electronically
Keep a few paper copies
Send it electronically
Saves paper Students can click on links for
direct access Students can utilize “how to”
instructions on their own
Send it as an e-mail attachment
“To prepare for your advising appointment, you will need to bring a copy of your gen ed report, preselect some gen ed courses in the categoreis you lack, and review and bring a copy of the requirements for your major/minor if applicable. Use the attached academic advising syllabus to help accomplish the tasks.”
Student Outcomes
Students have advising information at their fingertips
Students have access to accurate information.
Students gain an understanding of the way things work at the university.
Instructor Outcomes
Instructors can supply their advisees with accurate and up to date information on a variety of topics.
Instructors can convey directions through “How to” instructions.
Issues Students Deem Most Important in Advising
1. Accurate Information
2. Major Connect3. How Things Work4. Overall Connect5. Skills, Abilities,
Interests6. Know as an
Individual
7. Shared Responsibility
8. Referral Academic9. Degree Connect10. Gen Ed Connect11. Referral
Nonacademic12. Out-of-class
Connect
Concluding Remarks
Advisors can Personalize the materials presented
today Can provide accurate information
Students can gain knowledge of Advising information Ways to be proactive in their
academic careers
Electronic copies of the syllabi examples provided today:
Academic Advising & Retention Center – Academic Advising Syllabus - http://www.wku.edu/advising/index.php?page=advising-syllabus
Bowling Green Community College – Academic Advising Syllabus - http://www.bgcc.wku.edu/PDFiles/BGCC-Advising-Syllabus.doc
Resources The Academic Advising & Retention Center.
http://www.wku.edu/advising
Bowling Green Community College. Academic Advising FAQ. http://www.bgcc.wku.edu/Advising.html
NACADA: National Academic Advising Association. http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/index.htm
Smith, Cathleen L. & Janine M. Allen. “Essential Functions of Academic Advising: What Students Want and Get” NACADA Journal. Vol 26 (1). Spring 2006.
Good advising can lead to…