Undergraduate Student Advisement
Definition: Advisement at ETSU is a continuous interactive process between an advisor and student which facilitates the development and achievement of the student’s overall goals. Advisement is a distinct part of a student’s educational experience, provided by ETSU as a service.
Responsibility: A successful relationship between an advisor and student depends upon shared responsibility. Advisors and others at ETSU provide mentoring, advice, referrals, and information to help students make wise, informed decisions. The relationship students develop with their advisor is important to their success at ETSU. Students should consult with their advisor each semester and especially before making decisions that may affect their academic progress and success. Discussions with the advisor may include: understanding degree requirements, dropping a class, withdrawing from ETSU, selecting courses, and exploring career options. Students are ultimately responsible for their academic decisions, including course selection, meeting prerequisites, and adhering to policies, procedures, and deadlines at ETSU.
Advisement required: Advisors are a personal link between the student and the university. All students have an advisor and should confer with their advisor each semester. In fact, ETSU requires most students consult with an advisor before registering each semester. The following students must be advised before they are able to register each semester:
- All students who have less than 60 earned credits are required.
- First-term-at-ETSU transfer students are required to meet with an advisor prior to registration for their first and second terms of enrollment.
- Students who have been readmitted are required to meet with an advisor prior to registration their first term back at ETSU.
- Students who have not declared a major or who are required to complete Developmental Studies courses are required to see an advisor in the University Advisement Center located in the Advisement Resources Career Center (ARC) on the 2nd level of the D.P. Culp Center (423-439-5244).
Note: Students who are only required to take Developmental Studies Math courses will be advised by their major advisor.
These guidelines are the minimum advisement requirements. Some colleges and departments may have additional advisement requirements. Students should consult with the academic department or advisor to determine their advisement requirements.
Locating advisor: Students who have declared a major should see an advisor in that major. Students should contact the department of their major for information or contact the Advisement Resource Career Center (ARC) located on the 2nd level of D.P. Culp Center, 423-439-8650 for additional information.
Additional advisement opportunities: Some students may have multiple advisors (major, minor, program, licensure) who will provide advisement in these areas. Students taking classes in Kingsport may contact the Kingsport Center for advisement information (423-392-8000). Other advisement or support areas such as Athletics, Adult, Commuter, and Transfer Services (ATS), Student Support Services, or Medical Professions Advisement may contact students to discuss additional advisement opportunities or requirements. Students who are pursuing secondary education licensure need to contact the Clemmer College of Education during their first semester at ETSU (423-439-7626). All students will benefit from conferring with their assigned advisors on a regular basis.
Academic Advising Responsibilities
A guide for students and advisors relating to the advisor/advisee relationship and advising process.
Student Responsibilities
The student has the RESPONSIBILITY to:
- Learn the name and office location of his/her advisor early in his/her first semester at ETSU.
- Consult with his/her advisor on a regular basis each semester, especially prior to registration, when in academic difficulty, prior to changing minors or concentrations, prior to making changes in an approved schedule, or withdrawing from ETSU.
- Schedule and keep appointments with his/her advisor, at appropriate times each semester and notify advisor prior to scheduled appointment if student must reschedule.
- Seek assistance with the decisions to be made rather than expect the advisor to make the decisions.
- Be familiar with ETSU Policies and Procedures, major department’s web site and program sheets, as well as the online Undergraduate Catalog.
- Maintain copies of his/her program of study including general education, proficiency intensive, and graduation requirements.
- Be familiar with and utilize information available on GoldLink (registration status, holds, academic transcript, early semester progress grades, and end of term grades).
- Update his/her contact information (address and phone numbers) in a timely manner using GoldLink.
- Activate and regularly check his/her campus email account (GoldMail).
- Know and observe academic deadlines as posted on the ETSU online calendar and in GoldLink.
- Follow through with appropriate action after the advising session and to verify all GoldLink transactions especially as related to adding or dropping courses.
- Seek reassignment to a new advisor if differences between the advisor and student should develop.
Advisor Responsibilities
The advisor has the RESPONSIBILITY to:
- Maintain adequate posted office hours and appointment times for advisement.
- Keep all scheduled appointments and to notify the student in advance if it is not possible to keep the scheduled appointment.
- Gain the necessary training to effectively advise, guide, and refer students to ETSU resources applicable to the student’s program of study.
- Use ETSU resources including online Undergraduate Catalog, departmental web sites, general education, proficiency intensive, graduation, program requirements, and licensure requirements to guide and refer students.
- Maintain a complete and accurate advisement record for each student in order to monitor progress toward goals and graduation requirements.
- Regularly check and respond to student emails in a timely manner.
- Refer students to the academic guidelines as posted on the ETSU online calendar and in GoldLink.
- Assist in the advisor reassignment process when applicable.
- Understand and comply with the mandates of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 as Amended (FERPA).
Source: Advising Skills, Techniques, & Resources, David S. Crockett, Editor (NACADA)
Revised 11/4/09
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