Office of Undergraduate

Advising106 Campus Support Facility

341-4424 Phone

341-4152 Fax

http://advising.umr.edu

What is advising?

1.to give counsel to; offer an opinion or suggestion as worth following: I advise you to be cautious.2.to recommend as desirable, wise, prudent, etc.: He advised secrecy.3.to give (a person, group, etc.) information or notice (often fol. by of): The investors were advised of the risk. They advised him that this was their final notice. ﾐ verb (used without object)4.to take counsel; consult (usually fol. by with): I shall advise with my friends.5.to offer counsel; give advice: I shall act as you advise.

dictionary.com

Academic advising is a developmental process which assists students in the clarification of their life/career goals and in the development of educational plans for the realization of these goals. It is a decision-making process by which students realize their maximum educational potential through communication and information exchanges with an advisor; it is ongoing, multifaceted, and the responsibility of both student and advisor. The advisor serves as a facilitator of communication, a coordinator of learning experiences through course and career planning and academic progress review, and an agent of referral to other campus agencies as necessary.

David S. Crockett, Ed. (1987). Advising Skills, Techniques and Resources: A Compilation of Materials Related to the Organization and Delivery of Advising Services. Iowa City, Iowa . ACT Corporation.

ACT Corporation

• Academic advising is a planning process that helps students to approach their education in an organized and meaningful way. Advising brings together all of the major dynamics in a student's life. Edward "Chip" Anderson . (Noel-Levitz, 1997, p. 1 & 3.)

• Academic advising is a process of teaching students how to become responsible consumers of their own educations. It's also a process that involves teaching students how to make viable academic decisions. Juliet Kaufmann (Noel-Levitz, 1997, p. 1 & 3.) • Advising is a process of giving students guidance, support and encouragement. (Noel-Levitz, 1997, p. 3.) • Advising is a process of helping students diminish the confusion that comes with a new environment, clarify their goals and get the most out of their education. (Noel-Levitz, 1997, p. 3.)

Excerpts from the Noel-Levitz Participant Book/Resource Guide (1997). Introduction and Foundation, Academic Advising for Student Success and Retention. Iowa City, Iowa : USA Group Noel-Levitz

Noel-Levitz

NACADA Core Values

Advising, as part of the educational process, involves helping students develop a realistic self-perception and successfully transition to the postsecondary institution. Advisors encourage, respect, and assist students in establishing their goals and objectives. Advisors seek to gain the trust of their students and strive to honor students' expectations of academic advising and its importance in their lives.

http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/Clearinghouse/AdvisingIssues/Core-Values-Exposition.htm

NACADA Core Values

How important is academic advising to

students?

According to Noel-Levitz, students rated academic advising as one of their most important needs…

The 2006 National Student Satisfaction and Priorities Report was based on survey data gathered between the fall of 2003 and the spring of 2006 from students attending 80 colleges, universities, community colleges, and career and private schools. Sample sizes for four year public schools were 101,457.

2006 National Student Satisfaction

& Priorities

At four-year public colleges and Universities, students rated Academic Advising the most important aspect of their educational experience, along with Instructional Effectiveness.1. Academic Advising 7. Campus Climate

2. Instructional Effectiveness 8. Student Centeredness

3. Safety and Security 9. Campus Support Services

4. Registration Effectiveness 10. Service Excellence

5. Recruitment and Financial Aid 11. Campus Life

6. Concern for the Individual 12. Responsiveness to Diverse Populations

2006 National Student Satisfaction & Priorities

“My academic advisor is approachable.”

Important Across All Institution Types

In Spring of 2006 a student group administered an advising survey, and received responses from 51 UMR advisors and 189 UMR students.

Advising Importance According to UMR

Students

“He should be your liaison to the University as a whole and be able to find out answers to ANY question.”

“To help students in their education, course selection, and career planning along with personal help if needed.”

“Help the student determine what classes he or she should be taking, as well as make sure he or she knows what to do regarding getting a job, applying to graduate school, applying for internships, etc. Also, the advisor should just ask in general how the student is doing, and if he or she seems to be having problems with school or some other issue, offer advise. Kind of a friend/mentor – someone that’s more than just your professor. Cause let’s face it, you can get advice about classes from anyone!.”

Comments taken directly from the survey:

Advising Importance According to UMR

Students

The major conclusions derived from the survey:

Students and advisors would benefit from being more informed about their roles and responsibilities with regard to advising.

About 70% of each group says that it is the advisor’s role to give advise on extracurricular activities and organizations (only 6% say no)

Career planning, academic success, and degree requirements are virtually unanimously recognized as the core responsibility of an advisor

Advising Importance According to UMR

Students

Beth Welter - SecretaryDr. F. Scott Miller - Academic

AdvisorKim Frazier – Advisor/Manager

Undergraduate Advising

Office

Quotes heard in the Advising Office

1. “What do you mean a 2.0 is required to graduate?”

2. “I only need a few more classes to graduate” (Major GPA 1.11)

3. “I didn’t know I had to have a “C” or better to fulfill the prerequisite”

4. “I didn’t know I had to have a “C” or better in my major courses”

5. “I need to take that course, even though I didn’t pass the prerequisite, so I can graduate in May”

Quotes Heard in the Advising Office

6. “I know what I need to do (study and go to class), I just don’t do it!”

7. “I don’t know who my advisor was”

8. “My last advisor was never around, so I just went to the department chair for a signature”

9. “This is the first time anyone has really listened to me and talked to me about goal setting.”

10.“I wish someone would have explained this to me the first time I went on probation”

Mission

• Assist undergraduate undecided and deficient students explore and maximize their educational opportunities at UMR

• Empower students to succeed academically, professionally, and personally

• Provide resources that support advisors in their endeavors to increase student success at UMR

• Provide recognition to faculty that support the goals of UMR’s Academic Advising Program

Faculty, Staff & Student Resources

Currently, we provide:

•An advising friendly website at http://advising.umr.edu

•Recognition to outstanding academic advisors

•Informative advising conferences

•A home for struggling and undecided students (Result of the elimination of the Deans’ offices)

•On-Track, an academic success course to help students succeed at UMR

•Assessment on advising outcomes within the office

On-Track Academic

Success CourseThis intervention program incorporates:

•campus resources

•academic alerts

•success workshops

•advising conferences

•peer mentors

With the goal of empowering students to return to good academic standing and in turn, increase retention. 

On-Track Academic Success Course &

Academic Alert

The Academic Alert System can serve as a valuable tool for:

•Informing students that this new resource is available

•Recommending that students take advantage of this new resource to improve their academic performance  

On-Track Academic

Success CourseSome Workshop Titles Included in Fall 2007:

Succeeding on Essay Exams Learning Styles (LASSI) Resume and Cover Letter WritingInteracting with FacultyCo-op 101-What to Expect CAPS and DeadlinesConquer the Career Fair Habits: Make or BreakProfessionalism and Interviewing Self/Time ManagementPersonal Responsibility Note TakingSifting Through Your Major Whose Fault is it?Etiquette Dinner Speed Reading

Outstanding Academic Advising Awards are designed to recognize those who are contributing to the continual improvement of our educational environment.

These awards encourage greater support of advising activities on campus, reinforce the importance of advising excellence, and provides incentives and motivation to improve the relationship between UMR students, faculty and staff.

Recognition of Staff and Faculty Advisors

David J. WestenbergCollege of Arts & Sciences

Joel BurkenSchool of Engineering

Stephanie FitchSchool of Management & Information Systems

J. Keith NisbettOutstanding Freshman Student Advisor

Steve WatkinsOutstanding Transfer Student Advisor

Shevawn TiptonOutstanding Student Advisor-UMR Staff

Recognition of Staff and Faculty Advisors

Congratulations to the Winners of the 2006/07 Outstanding Advisor Awards

The Academic Alert System:  What Does It Tell Us?

FERPA Requirements:  What All Advisors Need to Know

Using the CAPS Report & Other On-Line Educational Records

The Importance of Prerequisites for Student Success

The UMR Undergraduate Advising Office: Mission, Purpose & Services

Academic Advising Conference Series

2007/08Past Conferences

Student Expectations: Are They Realistic?Patty Frisbee, New Student Programs1/18/08, 12:00 PM, UMR Havener Center

UMR Honor’s Academy: What Advisors Need to KnowEddie Grover-Bisker, Office of Undergraduate Studies1/22/08, 12:00 PM, UMR Havener Center

The “On-Track” Academic Success ProgramKim Frazier & Dr. F. Scott Miller, UMR Undergraduate Advising Office2/4/08, 12:00 PM, UMR Havener Center

The Value of Academic Advising: Recognizing the Impact it has on Students, Faculty, the Department and the UniversityPanel Discussion2/27/08, 12:00 PM, UMR Havener Center

Academic Advising Conference Series

2007/08Future Conferences

Incorporate technology Promote learning communitiesConnect advising and general education so students see the valueEncourage student self-reflection and positive attitudeTry to connect student goals with UMR mission statement

General Philosophy of Undergraduate

Advising

Serve as the student’s mentorUtilize preventative tacticsTreat students equally, not the sameMinority affirming atmosphere welcoming to all students Utilize student, staff and faculty feedback to improve advising

General Philosophy of Undergraduate

Advising

•Utilize best practices for encouraging students to succeed at UMRTeach students to take ownershipTake a holistic and positive approach giving guidance and alternativesSet learning, educational, and career goalsUtilize campus resources as needed

General Philosophy of Undergraduate

Advising

Undergraduate Advising Goals

•Revise Advising Handbook (last revision 1993)

•Further develop a web resource that lends support to advisors

•Continue to improve the frequency and quality of advising conferences

•Develop advising committee to promote continuous improvement and measure successes with regard to advising

•Continue to improve the academic success course

Advising Committee

•Review current advising practices at UMR

•Committee representatives may include: Office of Undergraduate Studies, Undergraduate Advising, Faculty Senate and Student Council, Freshman Advisors, Transfer Advisors and Departmental Advisors

•Plan evaluation tools, means and frequency of evaluation

•Develop a timeline and utilize the results of evaluation to improve advising

•Survey both advisors and advisees on their academic advising experiences and satisfaction

Undergraduate Advising Goals

•Develop UMR advising philosophy and standards

•Implement an academic advising syllabus

•Target new faculty and staff with advising information as part of orientation.

•Develop training seminars for all new faculty and staff advisors and offer to all current faculty and staff

Faculty & Staff Links Step-by-step solutions to

common issues among advisors Case Studies to demonstrate the

need to recognize student’s unique nature and interests

Links to needed forms, procedures, policies, etc.

Updated Advising Manual

Web Development Goals

Student Links Click here for questions about degree

requirements, university regulations, etc.

Click here for help with study skills, reading, writing, test taking, etc.

Click here for available workshops, tutoring, etc

Link to the appropriate forms, departments, policies, etc.

Link to appropriate assessments (career, study skills, interests, etc)

Web Development Goals

Questions and Comments