Activities and Services of the Academic Advising and Transfer Center

Op3.26-2 Activities and Services of the Academic Advising and Transfer Center

Individual Student Appointments

As part of the advising and educational planning process, academic advisors work with students to explore their interests, skills, and values and to make appropriate academic choices. Because quality advising enhances student success and retention, academic advisors work to be accessible and responsive, provide accurate information and develop helpful relationships with students.

Advisor assignments

The Academic Advising and Transfer Center assigns advisors to all students who are in the process of deciding majors. The Center conveys the importance of advising and provides students the contact information for their advisors.

Administering major and minor changes

The Academic Advising and Transfer Center assists all undergraduate students in initiating changes of major and/or minor. The Center also assists students who are declaring or changing majors and minors to initiate the process of applying to degree programs.

Consultation and professional development for advisors across campus

The director and the academic advisors are available to colleges and departments to consult or provide staff development sessions on advising information and skills. A series of advising workshops has been developed and is offered as part of the Academic Advisor Forum. Reference materials, like this manual, are also offered when appropriate.

Faculty/Advisor Resource Center

Information on advisee records is provided on the Faculty/Advisor Resource Center website. Information advisors need to work with their students is available, including notes from previous advising sessions. The Academic Advising and Transfer Center staff provides training for those who use this resource and communicates suggested improvements to the Computer Services staff.

Health Professions Information

For students considering health-related careers, information on available academic programs, professional program admission requirements and career information is available. Students may set up an appointment with John Gripka, who specializes in this area.

GEP 101

Advisors from the Academic Advising and Transfer Center affiliate with sections of GEP 101 and make guest presentations on educational planning topics such as: choosing a major, understanding general education requirements, academic rules and regulations, getting the most from advising sessions, etc.

Majors Fair

The Majors Fair brings departmental representatives and undecided students together so that students may gather information on academic programs of interest. The Fair is held before midterm during the fall semester and is heavily advertised to GEP 101 students.

Precollege Student Advisement

Tracey Glaessgen advises highly qualified high school juniors and seniors admitted under the campus-based (dual enrollment) Precollege Program. These students have at least a 3.00 cumulative grade point average on a 4.00 scale, have an ACT composite score of 21 or higher (or an equivalent score on the PLAN, PSAT, or SAT), and written permission from guardians and school administrators. Course selection(s) must be approved by the student’s designated academic advisor.

Student class registration and schedule changes

Any student who has not declared a major may register for classes at the Academic Advising and Transfer Center during the early, regular and late registration periods. In addition, students may make schedule changes in the Center.

SOAR

Staff from the Academic Advising and Transfer Center work cooperatively with the Director of New Student and Family Programs on the new student orientation program. SOAR helps students transition smoothly into college life and become aware of the demands of the learning community. The Center assists with selecting and training faculty advisors and student orientation leaders and provides advisors for groups of undeclared students.

Transfer Student Advisement

Cindy Fiedler, our transfer advisor, provides academic advice to transfer students and prospective transfer students by explaining transfer policies and requirements. She collaborates with academic departments involved with transfer students to facilitate the registration process for declared majors and advises those who enter as undeclared students.

Explained Absence Notification

If the student, a family member, or a friend contacts the Academic Advising and Transfer Center prior to an extended emergency absence of a current student, Tracey Glaessgen will notify faculty involved if it is not possible for the student to do so. The reason for the absence is not verified and every effort is made to clarify student understanding that an explained absence is not the same thing as an excused absence. Students are referred to individual instructors upon their return to campus to discuss the impact of their absence on their success in each class. This service might be used when a student is hospitalized unexpectedly for a serious injury

Transfer Student Advisement

Ross Hawkins, our transfer advisor, provides academic advice to transfer students and prospective transfer students by explaining transfer policies and requirements. He collaborates with academic departments involved with transfer students to facilitate the registration process for declared majors and advises those who enter as undeclared students.