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CHAPTER 5 POLICIES PERTAINING TO CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES

SECTION 4 ACADEMIC AND CAREER ADVISING

(To see who has authority to approve changes to this section, please see the Approval of Changes page).

Definition

Academic and Career Advising is a developmental process whereby students collaborate with advisers to clarify academic and career goals and to create and implement plans to achieve those goals.

Vision

Academic and career advising at UW-Stevens Point strives to deliver an excellent learning-centered advising program that fosters and supports student success.

Mission

The mission of academic and career advising at UW-Stevens Point is to teach students to understand the meaning of higher education, teach students the purpose of the curriculum, and foster students’ intellectual and personal development toward academic success, career preparedness, and lifelong learning. Through collaborative relationships with advisers, students define and implement sound educational plans that are consistent with their personal values, goals, and career plans.

Values

The values associated with academic and career advising at the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point are closely aligned with both the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) and the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Core Values, as well as the stated values of the university. We value academic and career advising services that foster:

  • Respect: Advisers honor the inherent value of all students.

  • Inclusivity: Advisers respect, engage and value a supportive culture for all students to advance broad equity and foster a sense of belonging.

  • Commitment: Advisers value and are dedicated to excellence in all dimensions of student success.

  • Collaboration: Advisers encourage a spirit of partnership and common interest.

  • Professionalism: Advisers act in accordance with the values of the profession of advising for the greater good of students, colleagues, institutions, and higher education in general.

  • Empowerment: Advisers motivate, encourage, and support students and the greater educational community to recognize their potential, meet challenges, and respect and express individuality.

  • Innovation: Advisers foster new knowledge and a commitment to continuous learning.

  • Integrity: Advisers act intentionally in accordance with ethical and professional behavior developed through reflective practice.

  • Caring: Advisers respond to and are accessible to others in ways that challenge, support, nurture, and teach.

ADVISING POLICY

OVERSIGHT AUTHORITY

The Academic Affairs Committee shall retain oversight authority for academic advising.

RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE ADVISING PROCESS.

Students’ Responsibilities.

Students are responsible for

• determining a course of study that satisfies the requirements defined for the appropriate degree in the UWSP catalog;

• scheduling and appearing promptly for appointments with the adviser (at least once each semester);

• preparing for an advising session ;

• being knowledgeable about policies, procedures, and requirements as published;

• being prepared to discuss personal values and goals as they relate to desired academic and career-related outcomes;

• following through with appropriate action after the advising meeting; and

• contributing to and accepting responsibility for the academic decisions to be made.

Advisers’ Responsibilities.

Faculty and academic staff who serve as advisers are responsible for

• providing timely and accurate advising for student academic and career decision-making;

• making advising readily available and accessible;

• Monitoring progress toward advisee’s educational and career goals;

• conveying information on academic requirements, policies, and procedures;

• assisting the student in identifying and pursuing educational goals and objectives and in securing information and identifying experience for future career opportunities;

• helping the student to examine course offerings in the major, and relate these to courses in the student’s broader field of study, while making sure the student understands 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 students’ 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 UWSP, and making appropriate referrals when necessary/possible.

DELIVERING ADVISING SERVICES.

Academic and Career Advising Center

The Academic and Career Advising Center (ACAC) will advise most incoming freshmen for three semesters and most incoming transfer students for one semester. Each student will be assigned a professional academic and career adviser to assist the student in the student’s transition to the university, and to help the student identify educational and professional goals and offer guidance to the student on ways to reach those individualized goals. Students will be transitioned to a professional or faculty adviser within their program of study after the third semester for most freshmen and after one semester for most transfer students. Transfer students that have largely met all general education requirements will be transitioned to faculty or departmental advising once the student can demonstrate learning and understanding of UWSP processes and technology which includes the Degree Progress Report and general campus resources. Students whose declared major is undecided will remain with the ACAC until they can successfully identify a major.

Students are encouraged at any time to seek guidance and mentorship from multiple sources on campus.

Assists Departments.

The Director of Academic Success and the ACAC shall assist departments and other functional equivalent units in establishing and maintaining effective advising programs and in the assessment of academic advising.

Distribution of New Information.

The Director of Academic Success shall have responsibility for distributing information to faculty and departmental advisers about changes in academic policies and procedures related to advising that do not yet appear in the UWSP Catalog.

Career Advising.

Career advising shall be the joint responsibility of the academic departments and the ACAC. Career Coaches are available to all students after they are transitioned to departmental advising, and for one year after graduation, and can be consulted on student career development opportunities.

Departmental Advising.

Autonomy.

Departments shall have autonomy in structuring their advising procedures within the limits set by these guidelines. (For example, a department may choose to have only a part of its faculty, or part of the faculty and academic staff, assigned to advising.)

Distribution of New Information.

Academic units shall have responsibility for distributing information to ACAC and departmental advisers regarding program admission criteria, revision of academic majors, curriculum, or curricular substitutions related to advising that do not yet appear in the UWSP Catalog.

Responsibility.

Individual departments shall have primary responsibility for providing timely and accurate advising to their majors and minors, and to students in related disciplines assigned to that department for advising once the student has been transitioned to the department from the Academic and Career Advising Center. While peer advising may be provided in units where it is appropriate and workable, it shall not replace faculty or academic staff advising.

Policies.

Departments and functional equivalent units, in consultation with appropriate students, shall establish policies and procedures to support commitment to and assessment of individual advising. Where appropriate, departments shall specifically include advising as a component of departmental and university service in retention, tenure, and promotion considerations.

New Student Orientation.

Individual departments may offer specific orientation programs to their majors and minors.

Advising Council

The Advising Council provides consultation and guidance to the Director of Academic Success for cross-campus advising initiatives and continuous improvement processes. The council represents each college within the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

TRAINING ACADEMIC ADVISERS.

Training Required.

All faculty and academic staff who serve as advisers shall complete an appropriate training and counseling program with leadership from the Director of Academic Success in collaboration with ACAC and Advising Council, a campus advisory body for advising at UWSP.

Peer Adviser Training.

Individual departments electing to use peer advisers shall provide program specific training for peer advisers and shall establish policies and procedures for the use of peer advisers.

Peer adviser training shall, at a minimum, include discussion of the responsibilities of advisers, effective advising techniques, materials and sources for advising information and procedures for referral of advisees.

ACAC peer adviser training shall include information on the importance of the General Education Program for the liberal arts education of the students.

REVIEWING THE ADVISING PROCESS.

Review Process.

The Director of Academic Success in consultation with ACAC, the Advising Council, and the Academic Affairs Committee, shall develop and regularly conduct a review process which includes measurement of the effectiveness of the overall advising program.

Additionally, because of the impact on advising on the student experience at the university, students will be involved in advising assessment including representative groups such as SGA.