1. Academic Advising Program
Academic Advising Program
University of Missouri-Rolla
Fall 2004

2. Impact of Academic Advising
Supports student retention
Engages students in learning
Promotes student academic success
Fosters personal and professional growth

3. Academic Council Personnel Committee Recommendation on Advising
The Personnel Committee recommends that the Academic Council officially adopt the following guidelines on academic advising:
• The Academic Council endorses the initiative to implement information exchange, advisor recognition, and student and advisor feedback to enhance advising and improve retention.
• As far as possible, the departments should be allowed to innovate on advising activities and correct any deficiencies when they surface. This process can be speeded up by the vice provost working directly with the departments.
• In addition to student feedback, department input should play an important role in advisor recognition.

4. Academic Council Personnel Committee Recommendation on Advising
• Student and faculty feedback related to the quality of advising should be done without the individual student or faculty being named. However, in order to take corrective action, students may be asked to name their major and/or academic level.
• Students as well as faculty should be made aware of their specific responsibilities related to advising.
• Students’ professional development should be the core advising function. Curriculum related matters should be transparent and unambiguous to both student and advisor.
• On personal matters, the advisor’s role should be mainly to refer the student to the campus resources available, such as the Counseling Center.
• Include in the Provost’s report to the Academic Council how the campus evaluates academic advising and rewards such faculty contributions.

5. UMR Academic Advising Program
The Mission of UMR’s Academic Advising Program is to:
Help students explore and maximize their educational opportunities at UMR
Help students succeed academically, professionally, and personally
Provide resources to support faculty advisors in their work with advisees
Provide recognition to faculty that support the goals of UMR’s Academic Advising Program

6. UMR Academic Advising Program
Program Goals:
Student Success
Faculty Recognition
Best Practices
UMR Reputation
ACADEMIC
ADVISING
UMR
Advisor Network
Evaluation
of Advising
UMR Advisor
Recognition Program
Academic
Advising Resources
Academic Advising
Conferences

7. Advising Development Conferences
2004/2005 Schedule
October 25, Introduction to UMR Academic Advising Program
November 8, Academic Advising Resources
January 31, 2005, February 1, PRO Advising/Freshman Advisor Planning Sessions
March 7, Developmental Advising

8. Informational Resources
UGS Advising Web Site:
UMR Faculty Advisor’s Handbook, 1993
Links to Academic Calendars, Course Schedules, Course Equivalency data, Degree Audit Reports
National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) web site

9. Advisor Recognition Proposal
University of Missouri-Rolla
Outstanding Academic Advisor Awards
Includes Six Annual Awards for:
One faculty/staff advisor in each of the four colleges/schools
One Freshman Advisor
One Transfer Student Advisor
(Nomination forms available in January 2005,
Advisor Awards Luncheon- April 2005)

10. Academic Advising Topics
The Changing Role of Academic Advisors
The Process of Advising: (Formal and Developmental Advising)
Developmental Advising Best Practices
UMR Learning Communities
Pre-College & Bridging Programs (Hit the Ground Running)
Academic Advising Resources
Evaluation of Advising

11. Suggested Topics for the November 8th Session
1) A discussion on the most current information available for academic advisors at UMR.
2) A discussion on the types of informational resources needed for academic advisors and students.
3) What can be done to improve and update the existing campus resources (such as the 1993 Faculty Advisors Handbook).

12. Questions?
Questions:
Is it beneficial to establish a centralized information resource for academic advising?
Should we proceed with organizing regular meetings to discuss advising issues?
What are the advising discussion topics that interest you the most?