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Faculty Introduction

Introduction of Advising at Simpson College for Faculty

Advising at Simpson College provides an opportunity for faculty to guide students through the academic journey as students develop educational and life goals.

The advising relationship begins during summer orientation, continues into the first year program, and then to degree completion. The process provides the opportunity to empower students to make their own decisions regarding the path they choose. It is the role of the advisor to assist the student in the exploration of options, but ultimately, the student must bear the responsibility for their decisions.

This handbook is designed to serve as a tool for faculty advisors to help them assist each student to make informed decisions throughout their academic career.

Most effective advising includes but is not limited to academic counsel, personal guidance, professional guidance, and professional relations with students. The following is an indication of the kinds of activities that might fall into each category.

Providing Academic Counsel

  • Helping students identify and address barriers to class and/or academic achievement
  • Helping students select a major and/or minor
  • Helping students select courses
  • Informing students of the graduation requirements
  • Helping students understand the strengths of a liberal arts education
  • Helping students address academic alerts
  • Teaching and/or participating in SC-101 courses

Providing Personal Guidance

  • Fostering student independence
  • Helping a student balance academics and the pressures of work/family/etc.

Providing Professional Guidance

  • Facilitating student internships
  • Facilitating undergraduate research
  • Helping students identify a potential career
  • Helping students prepare for work and/or graduate studies

Professional Relations with Students

  • Meeting with assigned advises at least once per semester
  • Providing accurate information about academic policies
  • Referring students to campus resources when it seems appropriate
  • Adhering to policies regarding harassment and confidentiality
  • Documenting contact with advisees to facilitate future advising meetings
  • Maintaining a neutral position with regard to colleagues, programs, classes, etc.

Each of your advisees is responsible for:

  • Scheduling a meeting with their Liberal Arts or Major Advisor prior to registration.
  • Requesting an advisor in their major
  • Informing the Registrar’s Office about changes in their academic program
  • Meeting graduation requirements

Faculty advisors work closely with the Registrar, and the Registrar is responsible for:

  • Assigning first year students to an SC-101 course and Liberal Arts Advisor.
  • Assigning students (upon student request) to an advisor in the student’s major
  • Providing advisors and departments (upon request) information about
    • Advisor/Advisee assignments
    • Lists of students in a major/minor/class
    • Students’ academic records (high school GPA, ACT/SAT)

 

Disclaimer: The advice and resources offered in this Advising Handbook were developed by a group of Simpson faculty in the summer of 2016.  The information in this handbook has not been approved by the Faculty Personnel Committee nor the dean and is not official College policy. There is no guarantee that following this advice will lead to reappointment, tenure, or promotion.

Last updated 8/18/16