Mission Statement
The mission of academic advising is to assist students in their growth and development by constructing meaningful educational plans which are compatible with their life goals. It is a continuous and consistent process which is built upon the basis of frequent, accumulated personal contacts between advisor and advisee. Effective academic advising is the cornerstone of the academic program of High Point University®. Excellent academic programs will not accomplish the desired end result if students are not properly guided and counseled. As a church-related university, it is part of our mission to provide sensitive and thoughtful support to our students as they wrestle with the many choices open to them. Thus, academic advising fosters the development of the whole student who is a self-directed, motivated, responsible decision-maker and encourages the successful completion of degree requirements and timely graduation.
Effective Academic Advising Defined
Effective advising is a collaborative process between the student and academic advisor that spans from initial registration through program completion and integrates mentorship along with career and post-graduate guidance.
The advisor’s role is an active rather than a passive one and the process of advising requires the following objectives to be met for each student assigned as an advisee:
- Help students define and develop realistic educational career plans through schedule planning for each semester and summer school, if appropriate.
- Each student should have an up-to-date academic schedule plan through to graduation.
- (Freshmen advisees assigned to Student Success Coaches) Meet with advisee during orientation to assist student with initial adjustment to university academic life. Special sessions should be scheduled throughout the first academic year.
- (For advisees assigned to Faculty Advisors) Meet at least once each semester with continuing students to plan for the coming semester (or summer) and to review/revise long range academic program schedules.
- Assist students in planning a program consistent with their abilities and interests.
- Monitor progress toward educational/career goals and meet at least once each semester to review the progress toward completing the proposed academic program and to discuss grades and other performance indicators.
- Discuss and reinforce linkages and relationships between instructional program and occupation/career.
- Interpret and provide rationale for institutional policies, procedures, and requirements.
- Follow-up with the advisee on any report of unsatisfactory work (notice of class probation for poor attendance, notice of Involuntary Withdrawal from a course and/or failing grades, incomplete grades from past semester(s), etc.). Special attention should be paid to students who are placed on academic probation.
- Approve all designated educational transactions (e.g., pre-registration/registration schedule, drops/adds, withdrawals, change of major and advisor, waivers, graduation requirements, etc.).
- Try to make informal out-of-class/office contacts to underscore personal interest in the student as an individual.
- Maintain a summary record of performance to date (grade reports, transcript, requirements completed, etc.), dates of conferences, notation of special circumstances, up-to-date Student Planning information and details, etc.
- Inform and, if necessary, refer students to other institutional resources when academic, attitudinal, attendance, or other personal problems require intervention by other professionals. (e.g., Office of Academic Development, Peer Assisted Learning Services, Office of Counseling Services, Office of Accessibility Resources and Services. etc.)
- Proactively contact and be available for student advisees on a regular basis. Office hours should be posted on the advisor’s office door, available Starfish, and preferably given to the advisee early in the semester.
- Advisors should plan for extended office hours during pre-registration advising.
- Consult regularly with faculty colleagues to have up-to-date information. For career and graduate school options, advisors should refer advisees to the Office of Career and Professional Development when more information is needed.
Advisors who possess the following characteristics are most successful with students:
- Interested in advising
- Demonstrates a concerned and caring attitude toward advisees
- Exhibits effective interpersonal and communication skills
- Available to advisees
- Frequent contact with advisees
- Set and communicate advisee responsibilities
- Knowledgeable of institutional regulations, policies, offerings, and procedures
- Monitors student progress
- Uses appropriate information sources and refers when necessary
- Engages in developmental advising versus simply course scheduling
The advisee is an equal partner in the advising process. Advisees are ultimately responsible for their educational choices and decisions. Advisees are expected to:
- Clarify personal values, abilities, interests, and goals for academics and life.
- Contact and schedule regular appointments with their advisor each semester as required or when in need of assistance
- Prepare for advising sessions and bring appropriate resources or materials. They are to maintain their own educational plan and other details.
- Come prepared to their registration advising session with a planned schedule for the forthcoming semester.
- Become knowledgeable and adhere to institutional policies, procedures, and requirements.
- Access and use Student Planning for academic updates, information updating, registration, and other purposes.
- Read their HPU email and other important communications from the University and your advisor.
- Request re-assignment of a different advisor when changing majors, adding a second major, or adding a minor by completing a Change of Academic Program form at the Office of Academic Services –Welcome Desk.
- Accept final responsibility for all decisions made and understanding their graduation requirements.
- Request their degree audit and apply for graduation by the dates set forth by the university Registrar.