How to Use and Implement the Academic Advising

Syllabus

Jill BrownCampus Advising Network

Western Kentucky UniversityApril 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, 2006

1. Accurate Information

2. Major Connect3. How Things Work4. Overall Connect5. Skills, Abilities,

Interests6. Know as an

Individual

7. Shared Responsibility

8. Referral Academic9. Degree Connect10. Gen Ed Connect11. Referral

Nonacademic12. 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

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 SyllabusAdvisor Contact Information:

Name: Office Number:

E-Mail: 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 http://www.bgcc.wku.edu/PDFiles/ACADEMIC-ADVISING-

CHECKLIST.doc Print general ed or iCAP report (see TopNet how to section)

Regularly check campus e-mail 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 http://www.wku.edu/Dept/Support/

AcadAffairs/Registrar/acad_calendar.htm

BGCC Advising Syllabus

When do I register? Go to the Office of the Registrar Registration

Guide: http://www.wku.edu/Dept/Support/AcadAffairs/

Registrar/regguide.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 http://www.bgcc.wku.edu/Advising.html

Registration Frequently Asked Questions http://www.wku.edu/Dept/Support/

AcadAffairs/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 e-mail 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 Connect3. How Things Work4. Overall Connect5. Skills, Abilities,

Interests6. Know as an

Individual

7. Shared Responsibility

8. Referral Academic9. Degree Connect10. Gen Ed Connect11. Referral

Nonacademic12. 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 - http://www.wku.edu/advising/index.php?page=advising-syllabus

Bowling Green Community College – Academic Advising Syllabus - http://www.bgcc.wku.edu/PDFiles/BGCC-Advising-Syllabus.doc

Resources The Academic Advising & Retention Center.

http://www.wku.edu/advising

Bowling Green Community College. Academic Advising FAQ. http://www.bgcc.wku.edu/Advising.html

NACADA: National Academic Advising Association. http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/index.htm

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…