IN SUPPORT OF A SPECIFIED TRANSFER STUDENT ADVISOR IN EACH COLLEGE Senate Resolution 1115

Background With the publication of The Final Report of the Task Force on Undergraduate Graduation Rates, the need for uniform and effective advising, especially in regards to transfer students, is evident.

Purpose That each college should have a designated academic advisor, who will serve as the “point person”, to assist transfer students in any academic affairs.

Summary Currently only two colleges have some form of a specified transfer advisor At least nine of our comparison schools currently have specific advisors trained to assist transfer students There should be a uniform advising process for transfer students

Whereas Summary Whereas 6-11 Whereas Whereas The Commission of 125 recommends that “Every student should receive effective academic advising”, and informed advising can “enrich learning”. Currently nine of our comparison universities have specific advisors trained to assist transfer students, while only two UT colleges have some form of a specified transfer advisor. The Final Report of the Task Force on Undergraduate Graduation Rates calls for a uniform format for advising aids as “student success in the first year relies heavily on… strength in freshman advising”. In many ways the transfer student experience is comparable to the first year experience.

Resolved/Summary Resolved Resolved Each college should have a designated academic advisor, selected by their respective colleges and trained on a University wide level, to assist transfer student. Transfer students should meet with their academic “point person” in their first semester and thereafter as needed.