Advising

The College has a two tier advising system. The Freshman Advising Program is designed to expand the opportunities for first year students to examine all academic areas without the perceived pressure of committing to a major in the first year. Students may indicate that they are interested in a certain major and their first year advisor will assist them in registering for courses suitable for that major based on the Freshman Advisor Handbook. However, these courses are, most often, general core courses which can be transferred to most any major. Although there is no direct pressure to do so, most students declare a major by the middle of the second semester of their first year. It is at this time, that a major advisor is assigned. Students who remain undecided about a major will be assigned an advisor from the Center for Counseling and Career Development.

Underclassmen Advising is designed for those students who have declared a major. An advisor is assigned from the major department. Advisors work closely with the students during the pre-registration period for course selection for the coming semester. Consultation with the advisor also occurs during the drop-add period at the beginning of each semester. Departmental advisors also provide assistance in regard to graduate or professional school and/or career planning.

Social Work Program Advisement

Advising duties are performed by the three full-time faculty members and the one-half time faculty member. All faculty members have MSW's. The Chair and the Director of Field Instruction hold the Ph.D. degree in Social Welfare. The third full-time faculty member holds a Doctorate of Arts in Government. The half-time faculty member is assigned approximately half the number of advisees seen by each full-time faculty member. At no time will any faculty member have more than twenty advisees. This objective is in keeping with our Program Goal #3 in which we wish to maximize personal growth and development by maintaining a small program.Much work and determination is applied to insuring that all Social Work advisors understand the complexities of the advising system. Meetings are held regularly to discuss advising practices and procedures and the baccalaureate program. All Social Work faculty maintain current advising and sequencing forms (Appendix A). There are always questions to be answered and a faculty member is always available to provide support and assistance. Another benefit of working in a relatively small institution is that administrative personnel are always available and willing to assist with any questions. A simple phone call to the Registrar's office, for example, will often be all that is necessary to clarify any uncertain areas.

In addition to academic advising, the Social Work faculty provide a mentorship role in which personal and career goals are discussed. Students come to realize that with the department's "open door" policy, the faculty is quite accessible and willing to be of assistance. While students who need formal counseling are referred to the College's Counseling Center, informal discussions regarding performance, motivation, commitment and future career plans are seen as valid adjuncts to the academic counseling process. Faculty also serve in an advocacy role for students when it is deemed appropriate to do so. This is usually, but not limited to, questions stemming from their official academic records.

Students who indicate an interest in a career direction other than that of his/her advisor are encouraged to consult with the appropriate faculty member. For purposes of continuity, however, the assigned advisor remains the same unless the student, with the approval of his/her advisor, requests a change in advisors. Formal discussions regarding field placement opportunities are held individually with the Director of Field Instruction.