Advising Mission

      
Academic Advising Description/Definition

Academic advising is an educational process that facilitates the students’ understanding of the meaning and purpose of higher education.  It fosters intellectual and personal development toward academic success and lifelong learning (NACADA, 2004). 

Mission

The Academic Advising Team is committed to the success of all students within the college.  Through individual and collaborative relationships, academic advisors will help empower students to reach their personal, academic, and career goals. As a team, our core goals of academic advising are to help students by:

  • Providing accurate and timely information about the student’s academic program and plan.
  • Evaluating students’ progress toward completing their degree and communicating concerns regarding their progress.
  • Interpreting and effectively communicating the University, college, and departmental policies and procedures that affect students’ educational decisions and actions.
  • Identifying and assisting students who are “at risk” or experiencing academic difficulty.
  • Assisting students with evaluating their experiences and choices to help them develop life-long skills.
  • Collaborating with faculty, staff, and departments across campus to enhance students’ educational experiences.
  • Pursuing personal and professional growth to enhance our ability to provide students with high quality advisement.

 

Academic Advisor Responsibilities – What You Can Expect of Us

You can expect us to:

  • Guide you in defining and developing clear and realistic educational goals, while encouraging you to take responsibility for your educational plans, decisions and achievements
  • Respect your individual values and concerns, and treat you as an adult
  • Maintain confidentiality
  • Understand and effectively communicate the curriculum, requirements and academic policies and procedures
  • Respond to your questions and concerns in a timely manner
  • Provide you with information for using campus resources and services
  • Accurately document your progress toward meeting your educational goals
  • Be accessible for meetings during walk-in hours, by appointment, telephone, or email
Advisee Responsibilities – What We Expect of You

As an advisee, we expect you to:

  • Accept responsibility for your decisions, your actions, and/or your inactions that affect your educational progress and goals
  • Demonstrate academic integrity and ethical behavior at all times
  • Make contact with your academic advisor at least once per year or as often as needed
  • Come to each appointment or walk-in with your questions prepared and relevant documents at hand
  • Be open and willing to consider and act upon advice from faculty and advisors
  • Keep a personal, up-to-date record of your progress toward meeting your goals
  • Organize official documents (your copy of your transfer evaluations, course substitutions, etc.) in a way that enables you to access them when needed (silver orientation folder)
  • Become knowledgeable about your degree requirements, policies, and procedures
  • Gather all relevant information before making decisions
  • Consider personal values and goals and provide the advisor with accurate information regarding your interests and abilities
  • Make arrangements for interpreting, if you need it
  • Keep appointments. If you are unable to attend, please give notice in advance so others can utilize the appointment time.

 

As a result of the student/advisor partnership we expect that you will:

  • Demonstrate the ability to make effective decisions concerning your degree and career goals based on your abilities, aspirations, interests, and values
  • Develop an educational plan for successfully achieving your goals and select courses each quarter that support those goals
  • Effectively utilize RIT resources and services such as Student Information System, Academic Support Center, Co-op and Career Services, etc.
  • Understand and appreciate the value of the general education requirements
  • Make use of referrals to campus resources as needed
  • Graduate in a timely manner based on your educational plans
  • Recognize the need for continued learning throughout your career

 

Assistance with Issues Involving Disabilities

Rochester Institute of Technology is dedicated to providing equal opportunity and access for every student.  It is important that if you feel you need accommodations for a learning or physical disability that you make us aware of your needs.  In some cases, we may refer you to the Disability Services Office, The Academic Support Center or TRiO Student Support Services.  These offices provide a broad range of support services in an effort to ensure that the needs of each student are met.  Through active involvement with all areas of the Institute, these offices are able to monitor conditions relevant to students with disabilities and provide help with decisions affecting their quality of life.

 


Adapted from “Sample Academic Advising Syllabus,” by Charlie Nutt, Kansas State University, NACADA, 2005