Advising Overview

Advisors at Auburn University

College/School Advisors are responsible for advising all students in all majors of a particular College or School.

Cater Center advisors are responsible for the academic advising of students who are in academic jeopardy or who are ineligible to progress in their current major. Students must be recommended by their native College or School before they can utilize the Cater Center services.

Honors College advisors are responsible for advising Honors students concerning the Honors College requirements. The advisors do not advise students on requirements for their particular academic major.

Departmental Advisors are responsible for advising all the students in a particular department. They specialize in one department of a college or school.

Faculty Advisors are full-time faculty members with a teaching load who are also responsible for advising students in their particular area of specialization.

Purpose of Academic Advising

Advising, in its broadest sense, is the continuing conversation between advisor and advisee that centers on academic matters, career plans, clarification of goals, information on internships, additional educational opportunities, and other related topics. In this conversation, the advisor serves as a guide and mentor, drawing upon other campus resources for assistance with this responsibility.
One important part of this type of advising includes the planning of an academic program and the keeping of accurate records of the student’s progress towards completion of that program. It is important, therefore, that academic advisors and faculty advisors be familiar with both the core requirements and the major requirements for their units. The Auburn University Bulletin, curriculum models, and experienced advisors are valuable resources.

Advisors' Responsibilities

Faculty and academic staff who serve as advisors are responsible for:

providing accurate and timely information about institutional policies, procedures, resources and programs consistent with the needs and characteristics of their advisees;
making advising readily available;
maintaining necessary files on advisees for monitoring progress toward advisee's educational goals;
conveying information on academic requirements, policies, and procedures;
assisting the student in identifying and pursuing educational goals and objectives and in securing information about career opportunities;
helping the student

examine course offerings in the major;
relate these to courses in the student's broader field of study; and
understand the graduation requirements for the chosen curriculum;

tailoring the advising approach to individual students and making referrals appropriate to their needs and interests;
being responsive to discussions of student's personal values and goals as they relate to academic and career-related needs; and
being sensitive to issues relating to the student's retention at Auburn University, and making appropriate referrals when necessary/possible.

Goals for Academic Advising

Academic advising at Auburn University is recognized in its potential of being a powerful educational intervention that impacts student persistence and success. While the ultimate responsibility for making decisions about goals and educational plans rests with the student, the advisor facilitates the student's decision-making process and helps identify and assess alternatives and consequences of decisions. Because this decision-making process is vital for the student's success at the university, those involved in advising must be properly developed, recognized, supported and evaluated.
The primary purpose of academic advising is to assist students in the development of meaningful educational plans compatible with their goals, focusing on the following activities:

assisting students in developing and evaluating an educational plan and progress toward life goals and objectives;
assisting students in:

decision-making skills that pertain to educational, career and personal goals;
accessing campus and community resources that will enhance educational success;
self-understanding of abilities, interests, aptitudes and limitations;

providing accurate and timely information about institutional policies, procedures, resources and programs;

Academic Advising Effectiveness

Effective academic advisors:

recognize that academic advising is an extension of the teaching/learning process;
engage in academic advising that develops students' ownership of their overall academic success rather than just semester course scheduling;
are available and in contact with advisees often, during registration periods and during other times throughout the academic year;
monitor student progress and suggest appropriate correction or re-evaluation of academic goals;
invest time in learning how to assist students with academic, career and personal decisions that will lead to student success;
learn about University policies, programs and procedures that will contribute to student success; convey them to students and make appropriate referrals when needed;
stay current with all policy changes and new information pertaining to students' academic decisions and success.