Hawley Center

Academic Advising Services

The advising services are available to students who are interested in seeking more information related to their educational path here at the college. Staff members are available to provide guidance and assistance to any student with general academic questions and can assist students with the following:

  • course selection
  • major selection
  • career exploration
  • degree audit
  • graduation analysis
  • academic policies

The advising service offered through the Hawley Center will not replace a student's currently assigned faculty advisor but is meant to help supplement the advising already being provided on campus. It is our goal to provide a central location in which students can visit in order to seek answers to their advising questions and provide assistance as needed.

Academic Advising at Simpson College

Academic advising is an integral part of the overall academic program. Each new full-time student is assigned to a member of the faculty who serves as the academic advisor. The initial advisor assigned to a student will remain listed as the student's primary advisor until the student selects a major field of study. At that time, the student may remain with the initial faculty member or request to be assigned to an advisor in that field of study.

Students are encouraged to visit with their academic advisor each semester at least once. Developing a trusting relationship is a key component between the faculty advisor and the student so visiting with your faculty advisor frequently can be an important step.

Your advisor can assist you in learning more about the field of study you are interesting in pursuing and may have alternative paths for you to consider in order to reach your goal. Don't be afraid to ask your advisor questions and seek opinions regarding your academic journey.

It is also appropriate for you to be prepared when visiting with your advisor. You should have an understanding of the requirements you are expected to fulfill before graduating and have course options selected which can help you meet these requirements. Please feel free to visit with one of the academic advisors in the Hawley Academic Resource Center to work through these questions before visiting with your faculty advisor.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do I register for classes?

  • The registration period for Spring 2010 classes will begin toward the end of September and continue through the first part of November. Students will be assigned a registration period depending on their class level. You may review the REGISTRATION SCHEDULE which provides the details of the registration periods. This schedule is also available through the Registrar's Office.

How do I declare a major?

  • If you need to declare a major, you are encouraged to meet with your assigned academic advisor to discuss the process. You will need to complete a DECLARATION OF MAJOR AND/OR MINOR form which is available through the Registrar's Office.

When do I need to declare a major?

  • A student will generally declare a major after the completion of 40 credit hours; however, the declaration of a major can occur any time before or after this point.

Can a student have more than one major or minor declared?

  • Yes, it is possible for a student to declare more than one major and/or minor; however the student should visit with their academic advisor to discuss possible options and to review the time needed to complete any additional requirements associated with a second major or minor. The student must have at least one declared major to graduate.

How do I drop or add a class to my schedule?

  • Be sure to check the appropriate date when adding a class to your schedule. Generally, a student can add or drop a class within the first week of each semester. If the drop/add period is still active, then you will need to pick up a DROP/ADD form in the Registrar's office or visit their webpage. You will need to obtain the signature of the instructor whose class is being dropped and the signature of the instructor whose class is being added. Also, be sure to visit with your advisor to ensure dropping or adding a class is appropriate.

    The last day to drop and/or add a class for the Fall 2009 semester is September 11, 2009.

What if the add/drop period is over?

  • If the date is past the drop/add period then your option is to withdraw from the class. You may still use the DROP/ADD form and still obtain the necessary signatures. Courses may not be added after the drop/add period unless by a special request from the instructor.

    The last day to withdraw from a class during the Fall 2009 semester is November 4, 2009.

How do I change advisors?

  • You can change your academic advisor by picking up a CHANGE OF ADVISOR form in the Registrar's Office or by visiting their webpage. Be sure to complete the form and have the current advisor sign it as well as the new advisor. This will ensure both faculty advisors will be informed of the change. Once complete, submit the form to the Registrar's Office.
Last Updated: 8/12/09