LSA Undergraduate Student Services Reference
Manual
Chapter 1 Advising
LSA Student Academic Affairs
LSA Academic Advisors
1228 Angell Hall
764-0332
LSA Academic Advisors:
Ø Assist students in defining educational goals and in designing an educational plan to
meet these goals;
Ø Inform students about course offerings in the College, degree requirements and
policies;
Ø
Help students appreciate the values of a liberal arts education;
Ø Engage in academic problem solving and resolution of personal issues interfering
with student performance; and
Ø Assist instructional staff in matters of College policy affecting students and in
handling complex student matters.
NOTE: Each department has an advising liaison in the Student Academic Affairs office.
To find out your department's liaison, follow this link to the chapter in the LSA
Handbook for Faculty and Instructional Staff entitled, LSA Student Academic Affairs
Administrative Staff and LSA Department Liaisons.
LSA Academic Standards Board
763-3101
LSA Academic Standards Board members:
Ø Administer academic discipline - imposing (and removing) academic probation,
dismissing students from the College, reinstating students to the College;
Ø Act on petitions for waivers or exceptions to College rules and graduation
requirements;
Ø
Act on petitions for dropping or adding classes after the free drop period in a term;
Ø Work closely with concentration advisors on special cases regarding graduation and
grade submission;
Ø Work with the Office of the Registrar to ensure that LSA students’ records are
maintained in accordance with College and University rules, and state and federal law.
Peer Academic Advising Office
763-1553
Peer Academic Advising Office is staffed by undergraduates and offers a unique,
comfortable atmosphere for students to obtain relevant academic information. Peer
counselors present students with an opportunity to share experiences in an informal
setting. The office maintains such resources as course evaluations and old examinations.
It disseminates information concerning the newest and most innovative classes. This
office also stocks graduate catalogs from schools across the country as well as the latest
in post graduation materials.
SOURCE: LSA Faculty Handbook, 9/00
LSA Bulletin
The LSA Bulletin is one of your most important resources for information on College
policies and Departmental information. The Bulletin can be found on-line at
http://www.lsa.umich.edu/lsa/cg/bulletin or you can get a copy from the Office of Student
Academic Affairs, 1228 Angell Hall. The bulletin contains information about:
Ø
Accreditation
Ø
Academic Calendar
Ø
College and University Directory
Ø
Introduction to the College
Ø
Student Academic Affairs
Ø
Student Records Policy
Ø
Requirements
Ø
Graduation Procedures
Ø
Academic Minors
Ø
Academic Policies and Procedures
Ø
Special Degrees and Pre-Professional Studies
Ø
Admissions
Ø
Department Programs and Courses
Concentration Advising
There are two areas of advising for LSA undergraduate students - general advising and
concentration advising. Students are encouraged to take advantage of both, whether
they've declared a concentration or not. Concentration advising is handled differently in
different departments, but is generally done by either an experienced staff member or a
member of the faculty.
At best, concentration advising should offer the student:
Ø
A clear and concise explanation of the requirements in the concentration;
Ø An opportunity to discuss the options of the concentration, e.g., how to build a
particular area of emphasis;
Ø An understanding of the particular value of that concentration to the individual
student;
Ø An understanding of what the undergraduate concentration can lead to, e.g., graduate
or professional schools and career opportunities;
Ø Accessibility to a faculty member or knowledgeable member of the department who
can communicate his/her perceptions of the opportunities in that field;
Ø Careful documentation in the file stating what requirements the student needs and
noting any waivers/exceptions to requirements, special issues, or concerns.
NOTE: Each department has an advising liaison in the Student Academic Affairs office.
To find out your department's liaison, follow this link to the chapter in the LSA
Handbook for Faculty and Instructional Staff entitled, LSA Student Academic Affairs
Administrative Staff and LSA Department Liaisons.
Advising Forums
Each September the LSA Student Academic Affairs office hold Advising Forums for
departmental or program advisors. New advisors should come to these forums to learn
about all of the resources available to them, and experienced advisors should come to the
forums to learn about new resources. Information discussed at the forums, including an
invaluable reference manual for departmental/program advisors can be found at
http://www.lsa.umich.edu/lsa/facultystaff/advising/forums/.
Keeping Students Informed
One of the unspoken duties of a student services support staff member is to keep your
students informed of the LSA and University happenings. The best way to accomplish
this is via email to your student email group. Below are some things to think about and
places to look for information (you'll also receive emails/flyers from various places about
upcoming deadlines that you can forward to your students).
Academic Calendar (drop-add deadlines, exams, etc.)
http://www.umich.edu/~regoff/calendar/
Funding Information, Fellowship Deadlines/Procedures
Undergraduate Students: http://www.finaid.umich.edu/
Lecturers, Colloquia, Events of interest to their field of study
http://www.umich.edu/~umevents/
General Deadlines (UM and departmental)
See LSA Academic Calendar for Student Services.