Advising students on a personal level
Deciding what classes to take and when can be difficult for any student, but it’s an adviser’s job to know each and every detail.
Though students are “strongly encouraged to consult with (their) adviser at least once per semester,” according to the Freshman Connections workbook, often students don’t make it a priority until registration each semester.
Mary Leavitt, the director of advising for Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences and the Caine College of the Arts, said advisers can cut through a lot of red tape and save students time and money.
Leavitt has worked with advising for 22 years and said they are seeing students more than they used to. She said she suspects it’s because money is tighter and students have to work. With new technology, students have the option of taking classes online or by satellite, making it easier to work around their busy schedule.
Since many students are regularly advised from SOAR until graduation, Leavitt said it makes it easier, as an adviser, to know different circumstances in a student’s life that might affect their schooling.
“I think we try not to be too intrusive, but intrusive enough to be an asset,” Leavitt said.
Stephanie Hamblin, director of university advising, said they don’t have that luxury, since many of their students are undeclared. She said they might see a student once or twice and then they pick a major and disappear, but it depends on a student’s situation.
“The challenge is educating students on the value of meeting with and advisor on a semester basis,” Hamblin said. “We want to see students before it’s too late.”
In addition to advising students, Hamblin said one of the goals of university advising is to educate students on the services the university offers, such as the Disability Resource Center, the counseling center and tutoring.
“Part of our job is to help educate students on what can help them be successful while they’re here,” she said. “I think students sometimes think advisers are just here for classes but we can do more than that.”
Andrew Whitlock first came to university advising after discovering he needed 15 college credits to enlist with the Marine Corps. Whitlock said at first he was confused and frustrated.
“I had no idea what the hell I was doing,” he said. “I felt like a lost little kid. Someone needed to hold my hand.”
Whitlock said his adviser was most interested in what Whitlock found interesting. Since he wasn’t going to get his degree from USU, the adviser encouraged Whitlock to take classes in subjects he’d enjoy. Whitlock has completed his 15 credits and praised university advising for their help.
He said he recommends students use their advisers for help and advice.
“If you come here not knowing what you’re doing it can be overwhelming,” he said.
One of the newer tools for advising is the degree planner, found on a student’s Access/Banner account. Though not perfect, Leavitt said it has its benefits.
“It’s a good tool. It’ll be a better tool at some point,” she said. “Right now degree planner makes advising more involved.”
One flaw, she said, is that the program is not immediately updated when major requirements are changed and can be difficult when used to track credits from another school.
Leavitt said it’s usually helpful for a student to use the degree planner to double check their credits but it is better to make an appointment with an adviser.
“It’s never a hassle to see a student,” she said.
Hamblin agreed it is better for a student to meet with their adviser, rather than attempt to navigate the system alone or with friends and family members as their only resource.
“Advisers on campus are trained to know the policies and procedures and requirements,” she said. “Everyone else is a good resource but it’s an adviser’s area of expertise to map out those options. Things change from semester to semester. We’re here and we know how to get you through so let us help get you through.”
Isela Torres, a freshman studying nursing, said she left her recent advising appointment feeling “less stressed out.” She met her advisor to help find classes that worked with her schedule. Torres has had several advising appointments during her time at USU and encourages other students to do the same.
“They should go get help so they won’t be frustrated and they’ll be more confident,” she said.
Though advisers are happy to meet with students, much of the students’ job is waiting. Hamblin and Leavitt estimated the student-to-adviser ratio to be around 550:1, well above the national average of around 150:1 for four-year colleges, according to the National Academic Advising Association.
Glen Beckstead, an undeclared freshman, waited Friday for an available adviser. Having just returned from serving an LDS mission, Beckstead said he needed help deciding where to start and the “best plan of action.”
Beckstead said he wasn’t nervous or excited, “just waiting.” Hamblin said some of the waiting at the beginning and end of the semesters comes from a sudden influx of students.
“It’s a manageable load if it’s spaced through out the semester,” she said.
While Leavitt acknowledged some increase in appointments during those times, she said her office sees students on a regular basis throughout the semester. But, whenever a student comes, Leavitt and Hamblin said it’s a success to see them working towards their goals.
“This is the best job you could ever have,” Leavitt said. “I’ve done a few other things in my career but I’d come back to this in a heartbeat.”
– k.vandyke@aggiemail.usu.edu