USI » Academic Advising » Advisor Responsibilities

Advisors' Responsibilities

Faculty and academic staff who serve as advisors are responsible for:

providing accurate and timely information about institutional policies, procedures, resources and programs consistent with the needs and characteristics of their advisees;
making advising readily available;
maintaining necessary files on advisees for monitoring progress toward advisee's educational goals;
conveying information on academic requirements, policies, and procedures;
assisting the student in identifying and pursuing educational goals and objectives and in securing information about career opportunities;
helping the student
- examine course offerings in the major;
- relate these to courses in the student's broader field of study; and
- understand the graduation requirements for the chosen curriculum;
tailoring the advising approach to individual students and making referrals appropriate to their needs and interests;
being responsive to discussions of student's personal values and goals as they relate to academic and career-related needs; and
being sensitive to issues relating to the student's retention at USI, and making appropriate referrals when necessary/possible.

Goals for Academic Advising

Academic advising at the University of Southern Indiana is recognized in its potential of being a powerful educational intervention that impacts student persistence and success. While the ultimate responsibility for making decisions about goals and educational plan rests with the student, the advisor facilitates the student's decision-making process and helps identify and assess alternatives and consequences of decisions. Because this decision-making process is vital for the student's success at the university, those involved in advising must be properly developed, recognized, supported and evaluated.

The primary purpose of academic advising is to assist students in the development of meaningful educational plans compatible with their goals, focusing on the following activities:

assisting students in developing and evaluating an educational plan and progress toward life goals and objectives;
assisting students in
- decision-making skills that pertain to educational, career and personal goals;
- accessing campus and community resources that will enhance educational success;
- self-understanding of abilities, interests, aptitudes and limitations;
providing accurate and timely information about institutional policies, procedures, resources and programs;

Academic Advising Effectiveness

Effective academic advisors:

recognize that academic advising is an extension of the teaching/learning process;
engage in academic advising that develops students' ownership of their overall academic success rather than just semester course scheduling;
are available and in contact with advisees often, during registration periods and during other times throughout the academic year;
monitor student progress and suggest appropriate correction or re-evaluation of academic goals;
invest time in learning how to assist students with academic, career and personal decisions that will lead to student success;
learn about University policies, programs and procedures that will contribute to student success; convey them to students and make appropriate referrals when needed;
stay current with all policy changes and new information pertaining to students' academic decisions and success.

Academic Advising Updates and Workshop Opportunities

Permission to Release Academic Records form

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