Academic Advising at Fredonia
Academic advising is a collaborative partnership between students, faculty, and professional staff that supports student success throughout the educational experience. Advisors assist students in clarifying academic, career, and personal goals, understanding degree requirements, making informed decisions, and developing educational plans that promote timely progress toward graduation.
Students are expected to meet with their academic advisor at least once each semester, particularly prior to course registration, to review academic progress, discuss mid-semester performance, evaluate progress toward degree completion, and develop an appropriate schedule for the upcoming term. Students are encouraged to consult with their advisor whenever they have questions regarding academic requirements, major or career exploration, university policies, or educational opportunities such as internships, undergraduate research, study abroad, and experiential learning.
As part of the orientation process, new students meet with an advisor to discuss their educational objectives, learn about university policies and degree requirements, and help them understand and develop their schedule for the first semester. Prior to the start of classes, each student is assigned an academic advisor through their academic department or advising program. Students can view their assigned advisor and advising information through Your Connection.
Mission
By emphasizing advising as part of the learning process, Fredonia facilitates students’ development and implementation of plans to achieve their educational, career, and life goals. At Fredonia, academic advising is an intentional, educational partnership between advisors and students.
Vision
The State University of New York at Fredonia strives to be a leader in academic advising among four-year liberal arts public institutions of higher learning.
Values
- Respect: We value the student as an individual with whom we share academic advising responsibility.
- Accountability: We seek to offer students timely and accurate information with focused intent on their goals.
- Integrity: We seek to thoughtfully assess students’ plans and goals and encourage their self-reflection and redirection, as necessary.
Student Responsibilities in the Advising Process:
- Become knowledgeable about the university’s program requirements, policies and procedures.
- Be familiar with and access university tools for monitoring academic progress, such as Degree Works.
- Understand your department’s program requirements including course prerequisites and sequencing.
- Seek assistance in the appropriate department if a second major or minor has been declared.
- Maintain communication and appointments with your academic advisor, clarifying personal values and goals and discussing questions or concerns.
- Keep a personal file of all academic progress including related documents.
- Accept responsibility for your academic decisions and performance.
- Understand that you have the right to change your advisor, with department chair approval.
Advisor Responsibilities in the Advising Process:
- Stay informed of and communicate current and changing university policies and program requirements.
- Monitor students’ academic progress using tools such as Degree Works and document all exchanges from advising interactions in the academic advising file.
- Proactively contact and be available for student advisees on a regular basis through a variety of communication modes such as office hours and email.
- Listen carefully to questions and concerns, encouraging students’ self-reflection to assist them in clarifying personal values and professional goals.
- Provide students with information and resources to promote academic progress.
- Empower students to take responsibility for their academic success.
- Refer students to campus services relevant to their individual needs.
- Collaborate with peers to help students meet cross disciplinary requirements.
- Engage with peers through professional development to exchange ideas, information and philosophies to improve the advising process.