It’s that time of year again, when everyone is wondering what classes to take for next semester and whether they will meet their requirements or not. It is also the time when students typically start complaining about the advising system or more correctly, the lack of it.
We have a system in place that has been revised and improved repeatedly, and yet it is rare to hear students say they are satisfied with it. It has almost become part of the student culture to say things like “I don’t even know who my advisor is,” or “I have not seen my advisor since I was a freshman.”
There are, however, model advisors, the ones who persist after students in their early years and then continue with them until they graduate. They don’t assume that the students will follow in their footsteps, nor do they try to get them out of their office in five minutes or less.
The advising system as a whole is not all riddled with negatives. However, it seems that the human aspect of it is the one in need of most improvement. The CAPP report on the individual SIS page is a very useful tool that more students should use, and some students have learned to rely on it as an advisor. However, CAPP reports come with a number of disclaimers that students should be aware of and it is not even applicable to transfer students, or students with dual and double majors.
Since the advising system leaves a lot to be desired we have a couple of suggestions for the students who still need it. First, find someone you can work with from your department and transfer to them as an advisor. Second, call the advising center and make an appointment with one of the advisors there. Third, send an e-mail to the advising center or to the provost and let them know what you think.
