How to Use and Implement the Academic Advising Syllabus Jill Brown Campus Advising Network Western Kentucky University April 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, Accurate Information 2. Major Connect 3. How Things Work 4. Overall Connect 5. Skills, Abilities, Interests 6. Know as an Individual 7. Shared Responsibility 8. Referral Academic 9. Degree Connect 10. Gen Ed Connect 11. Referral Nonacademic 12. 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

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 Syllabus Advisor Contact Information: Name:Office Number: 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 CHECKLIST.doc CHECKLIST.doc Print general ed or iCAP report (see TopNet how to section) Regularly check campus 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 dAffairs/Registrar/acad_calendar.htm dAffairs/Registrar/acad_calendar.htm

BGCC Advising Syllabus When do I register? Go to the Office of the Registrar Registration Guide: guide.htm guide.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 Registration Frequently Asked Questions airs/Registration/faq.htm airs/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 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 Connect 3. How Things Work 4. Overall Connect 5. Skills, Abilities, Interests 6. Know as an Individual 7. Shared Responsibility 8. Referral Academic 9. Degree Connect 10. Gen Ed Connect 11. Referral Nonacademic 12. 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 - p?page=advising-syllabus p?page=advising-syllabus Bowling Green Community College – Academic Advising Syllabus - C-Advising-Syllabus.doc C-Advising-Syllabus.doc

Resources The Academic Advising & Retention Center. Bowling Green Community College. Academic Advising FAQ. NACADA: National Academic Advising Association. 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…