Additional Responsibilities of New Student Advisors

1. Read your new students’ Admissions folders. Please contact the Office of Admissions and Enrollment prior to your visit so they can pull any confidential information.

2. Attend the Advisor Workshop session prior to New Student Orientation.

3. Participate fully during New Student Orientation.

4. Advise new students through drop/add week of the following fall quarter if they don't declare a major.

5. Establish a clear system for advisees to contact you for all advising needs.

The New Student Advising Interview    

Step by Step Guidelines:

1. Opening: Greet your advisee by name. Start by establishing a rapport by referring to some interest or activity that you have learned about them.  
    
2. Describe your relationship and purpose: Describe your responsibilities as an advisor and what you expect from the student. Mention your commitment to the advising process and to the student.  
    
3. Explore your advisee's life goals, interests, aptitudes, and abilities: Review the student's assessment test information, ACT or SAT scores, high school transcripts, transfer credit, if relevant, and current courses, GPA, etc. (This information is in the advisee's folder.) Have the student comment on his or her performance, abilities and interests. Determine whether the student has decided on a major; help them explore their reasons for this decision and let them know that after the quarter starts, you (or ACA) will help them fill out the “Declaration of Major/Change Advisor” form. Remember, you cannot know too much about your advisee! It may be helpful to keep notes on your advisee for future reference, both yours and eventually the major advisor’s.  
    
4. Discuss the most effective way of progressing through the academic system: It’s helpful to fill out the Educational Planning Guide (Link) as you discuss distribution requirements. Look at the different aspects of a degree and how all-college requirements, electives, major and minor courses fit together.  
    
5. Discuss schedule planning: As you work through the Advising Registration Agreement (ARA) with your advisee, help him/her to choose appropriate level courses for distribution requirements, classes that will explore major/minor possibilities, as well as electives. Include an adequate number of back-up choices. Make sure your advisee knows how to read the course schedule, how to get overrides (call for a SIG, etc. when these are needed), as well as when and how to register (self-service banner, alternate pin, etc.). Note: and even when getting an override, students must register to secure the place in the class. Also, encourage her/him to refer to the catalog, and to check the course information on-line, as well as the long-range planner, when appropriate.  
    
6. Encourage questions: Check to make sure that she/he understands drop/add dates and procedures (online registration is Mon.-Tues. and white cards must be used Wed.-Fri.) as well as such things as attendance policies, etc. Students do get confused but sometimes hesitate to admit it. If you do not know the answer, help the student find someone who can provide the necessary information.  
    
7. Plan for your next meeting: Be sure your advisee knows your office hours. Mention how and when you should be contacted next. Make note of anything you need to do before your next appointment with the student.