Academic Advising

Academic advising plays a key role in students’ understanding of the college and university environment. In ongoing conversations with advisors, students will:

• Develop skills in locating and effectively using information and resources that facilitate a successful academic experience
• Describe how academic work and experiences outside the classroom contribute to their overall career goals
• Cultivate a habit of lifelong learning
• Evaluate their own learning and be able to articulate areas of achievement and areas in which the student needs more growth/learning
• Create a plan for graduation that includes high-impact out-of-the-classroom experiences

Advisors will:

• Maintain a respectful, supportive, and interactive academic advising environment that encourages exploration, develops student’s passions, and fosters academic and career growth
• Be knowledgeable about academic requirements and graduation expectations for the majors they advise and educate students about these requirements
• Be knowledgeable about academic and campus policies and procedures and educate students on how to find these requirements
• Refer students to campus resources
• Foster an environment of self-advocacy, but also serve as an advocate for students when appropriate
• Maintain student confidentiality in accordance to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
• Empower students to take responsibility for their own academic, personal, and career success

Students should:

• Meet with their advisor at least twice a year for advising to have their PIN reset
• Be respectful. Students should treat advisors with the same level of respect that they would like to be treated. This includes:
  • Making appointments in a timely manner, showing up on time, and being prepared
  • Cell phones and other electronic devices are put away during appointments
  • Be an active participant in all advising meetings
• Check their AU email daily
• Follow through with advisor referrals to campus resources
• Take responsibility for their academic progress by knowing how to use the available resources, reviewing and being aware of their curriculum model, and understanding how their curriculum works as a unit for graduation (pre-requisites, co-requisites, sequences, when courses are offered)
• Communicate openly, honestly, and professionally about any issues regarding their academic performance
• Be prepared to discuss goals, passions, challenges, and successes
• Work with their advisor to create an academic success plan and a graduation plan
• Utilize campus resources
• Ask questions
• Understand that their advisor can provide them with advice and tools to be successful, however, it is up to the student to complete all requirements and make appropriate choices for completing their degree