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 Shared: A successful relationship between an advisor and student depends upon shared responsibility. The advisor and student responsibilities are outlined in the Academic Advisement Responsibilities guide. 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. Additional resources and information available on the Undergraduate Student Advisement website.
Future Students (Transfers and Freshmen):
During the summer, new students, both freshmen and transfer, and their guests are invited to the campus to share in an orientation to university life and to register early for fall semester classes. The orientation program is so important to a successful start that it is mandatory if you live within a 250-mile radius of campus. At orientation, students will be introduced to campus, attend interest sessions, meet with an academic advisor and leave campus with their class schedules completed. Students entering ETSU summer or spring semesters will also have an opportunity to attend an orientation.
For more information see the New Student and Family website.
Spring registration for returning ETSU students begins in early November. Summer and fall registration begins in early April. Students should be advised well before registration begins.
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 and will have an advisement hold that will prevent registration before they are able to register each semester:
-
Students who have less than 60 earned credits
-
First-term-at-ETSU transfer students are required to meet with an advisor prior to registration for their first and second term of enrollment.
-
Readmitted students are required to meet with an advisor prior to registration their first term back at ETSU.
-
Students who have not declared a major, have chosen an Academic Focus Area, or who have Learning Support Writing or Reading requirements are required to see an advisor in the University Advisement Center located in the ARC located on the 2nd level of the D. P. Culp Center (423-439-5244).
*Note: Students who only have Math Learning Support requirements 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 their academic department or advisor to determine their advisement requirements.
Students who have declared a major should see an advisor in that major. A quick reference Advisor Contact List is available online. Having trouble finding your advisor? Contact the ARC at 423-439-8650, arc@etsu.edu, or 2nd level of D.P. Culp Center for advisement referrals and assistance.
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 include:
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 website and program sheets as well as the Online Undergraduate Catalog.
- Use Degree Works audit program and review each semester with advisor. For more information on Degree Works, visit their website.
- 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 classes.
- 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 websites, 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 towards goals and graduation requirements. Use Degree Works audit program.
- Regularly check and respond to student emails in a timely manner.
- Refer students to the academic deadlines 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 & Resource, David S. Crockett, Editor (NACADA)
Requirements/Topics to Discuss with Your Advisor
- BE PREPARED
- Review online catalog Programs A to Z catalog information.
- Review your Degree Works audit in GoldLink.
- Be aware of the following graduation requirements:
- Admissions Requirements for Program (if applicable)
- General Education Requirements
- Proficiency Intensive Requirements
- CSCI 1100 or Proficiency Requirement
- Major Requirements
- Minor Requirements (if required)
- Concentration Requirements (if applicable)
- Licensure Requirements for Teaching (if applicable)
- College of Arts and Sciences degree options and requirements (if applicable)
- General Education Requirements: a common set of course requirements that all students must meet, regardless of their major or career goals. The purpose of general education is to help students acquire a broad foundation of skills and knowledge that will be useful in their personal, professional and civic lives. Some general education courses are specific to your major or minor. Discuss requirements with your advisor.
- Proficiency Intensive Requirements: oral communication, information technology, and writing skills are essential for success on the job and in our personal lives. To help build these skills throughout the college years, ETSU requires all students to meet “proficiency-intensive” requirements.
- CSCI 1100 Using Information Technology: required proficiency and graduation requirement for all students at ETSU. It is an introduction to information processing and computer applications such as word processors, spreadsheets, presentation software and operating systems. The class provides a hands-on approach and teaches the skills required for success in the university environment. Students may demonstrate proficiency by taking CSCI 1100 or by taking a test. Students must complete CSCI 1100 proficiency before completing 32 hours of coursework.
- Learning Support Program has been established at ETSU to help students who may need additional support to be successful in college level courses. The Learning Support Program offers students support with essential skills in Mathematics, English (writing components), and reading comprehension. The Learning Support Program is housed in the University Advisement Center located in the Advisement Resources Career Center. For more information, or for answers to questions, contact the University Advisement Center. Phone: 423-439-5244.
Transfer students often have questions and concerns that are unique to transfer students. Some of these are addressed below. Additional resources and assistance available through Adult Commuter and Transfer Services and Transfer Articulation. The following resources will also be helpful in a smooth transfer to ETSU.
- ETSU Transfer Guide
- TBR and non-TBR transfer students may request a General Education Evaluation.
- Transfer students who do not transfer in college-level English or Math courses will be required to take a placement test (Compass test) in that subject area.
- General Education course substitution procedure.
- Major or minor course substitutions: contact your major advisor or department for information.
How to Change Your Major or Minor: if you decide to change your major, minor or concentration, you do so through the academic department in the new area. Before selecting a new major, minor, or concentration, it is very important to select what best fits your interests, skills, and goals. Review your prospective choices with the advisor in this program and review requirements in the Programs A to Z guide in this catalog or use the What If Program in Degree Works (available in GoldLink.) The advisor or department will assist you in completing a undergraduate change of major form. Students should keep their major, minor and concentration up-to-date to ensure accuracy of Degree Works audit.
Graduation Process: all students should file their Intent to Graduate when they complete 90 hours of coursework or who are within two semesters of graduating. Students will also be required to complete major and minor sheets. If students file their intent early, they should have at least two semesters to complete any overlooked coursework or requirements. Students who do not file their intent on time, may delay their anticipated graduation. The Graduation Office coordinates the graduation checks, processes and ceremonies. Additional information/forms plus “What all Potential Graduates Should Know” and “8 Steps to Graduation” are available online.
Early Semester Progress Reports (mid-term grades) are used as an early indicator of academic progress in undergraduate level courses. Early Semester Progress Reports are available to undergraduate students in GoldLink around the 8th week of the fall and spring semesters. If the grades are unsatisfactory, students should use these grades to start conversations with their instructors, their academic advisor and to seek tutoring and other campus resources to improve their grades.
Academic Probation and Suspension Policies: available under Policies and Procedures
- Advisement Resource Career Center (ARC) is a one-stop shop for many advisement, career and campus referrals. It’s also a great place to get accurate information on advisement, career exploration, campus information and campus referrals. The ARC is located on the 2nd Level of the D. P. Culp Center or you may call 423-439-8650. arc@etsu.edu
- Office of Undergraduate Student Advisement-This office is the home of ETSU’s Director of University Advisement who also serves as the Designee for Academic Affairs for student appeals and concerns. The office provides campus training for Banner (GoldLink and Internet Native Banner), advisor training, coordinates the Need Help web site, coordinates advisement at new student orientations, and serves as a referral source for advisors, faculty, staff and students.
- Academic Calendar for Students is a list of important dates by term including holidays and deadline dates.
- GoldLink is the ETSU portal that offers a single sign on to D2L, Self-Service Banner, and other ETSU Banner services. Self-Service Banner (SSB) is a web-based system that allows you to access your personal and academic information from any computer that can display web pages. SSB is accessible through the GoldLink portal or can be accessed from this location. Students can login to register for classes, print class schedule, accept financial aid awards, pay fees, view transfer evaluation, academic transcript and much more.
The Graduation Office coordinates the graduation processes and ceremonies. Students should file an intent to graduate when they have completed 90 hours of coursework or are within two semesters of graduation. Additional information/forms plus “What all Potential Graduates Should Know” are available online.
Registration: Policies, Procedures and Resources
Guide to Registering - step-by-step quick reference guide for registration process
- Before registering
- Check your registration status a few weeks before registration begins. Registration status displays holds, advisement holds, first available registration time, hours earned, academic status, etc.
- How to check registration status
- Login to GoldLink portal
- Choose the “My Student Info” tab
- In the “Registration Tools” box, choose “Registration Status”
- Pay fees/parking tickets online in Self-Service Banner or contact appropriate offices for more information or to clear holds. Most holds will also have a reason listed for the hold. Visit website for list of hold types and who to contact.
- Get advised. How to find my advisor?
- Plan your class schedule for the next term. Use Look Up Classes option in GoldLink to create your class schedule. Use these resources to learn how to register.
- Registering for classes
- Register online using GoldLink or
- Register in person at 102 Burgin Dossett Hall or call
- Registration Helpline: 423-439-5584 (M-F from 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, EST) for help.
- Completing registration
- Accept financial aid and confirm attendance in GoldLink.
- Pay fees on GoldLink.
- Complete all schedule changes before the first day of class to prevent additional fees.
- Review schedule changes with your academic advisor or verify course choices noted in your program of study.
- If you decide not to attend ETSU, you must drop your courses on GoldLink or through Office of Registrar, 101 or 102 Burgin Dossett Hall. NEVER rely on being purged due to non-payment. Students are responsible for verifying all schedule changes on GoldLink.
- Just prior to the first day of classes
♦ Print your class schedule again because course locations (buildings and room #s) may change.
|