Student Academic Affairs

Academic Advisors and Advisees

One of the most important relationships you have with a faculty member is the relationship you have with your academic advisor. You should make every effort to establish and maintain a good relationship with your academic advisor.

Who Is Your Academic Advisor?

Every major in Arts and Sciences is assigned as an advisee to a faculty member in her/his major department or to the Pre-Professional Academic Advisor.

New students receive a letter with the name and contact information for their academic advisor.  Continuing students who declare a major in the College receive an email about their advising assignment.  Your academic advisor's name appears on your degree audit (DARS).

Contacting your academic advisor

You can reach any member of the University faculty through the online directory.

You should make appointments with your academic advisor at least once each term; new students are encouraged to meet with their advisors more often.  Only your academic advisor can give you your advising PIN.

Concerns?

If you have concerns about advising, talk with your advisor or department chair or come to the Dean's Office (SH 209). 

If you have an academic advising question and are unable to reach your advisor, please use the "ask an advisor" option.

Remember, your goal is to have a good professional relationship with your academic advisor.  You should take the time to prepare for any advising meeting to insure it will be successful for you and your advisor.

Preparing for an advising appointment

  • Make an appointment.  Some things can be handled by phone or email, but a "real" advising interaction is helped by face-to-face contact.
  • Bring materials.  If you plan to talk with your advisor about your academic performance, be certain you know your grade report; if you are there to discuss good decision-making around course selection, bring a current degree audit with you (and review it before you arrive); if you want to talk about career opportunities, research ideas, internship or other service experiences, bring the relevant information.  Some advisors will ask you to keep an advising record and bring it with you to all meetings.
  • Follow-through.  If your advisor refers you to the Career Center, or the Registrar, or another office on campus, be certain you follow-through and let your advisor know what happened.