Erie Co. DSS Employee Education Program:
Filling in the Advisement Gap
Information to assist those students who are unable, or find
it difficult, to attend face-to-face sessions with advisors.
Created by: josie adamo
Advisement at Buffalo State College
• Academic advising is mandatory at Buffalo State College and
students are encouraged to contact their advisor early in the
semester (as early as the 3rd week of classes) to discuss their
academic goals and progress.
• The advising process is two-sided. The ultimate responsibility
for making decisions about goals and educational plans rests
with the individual student based on the information and
advice provided by the advisor. The advisor aids the student's
decision-making process and helps to identify and assess
alternatives and the consequences of decisions.
Mission, Vision, and Core Values
• MISSION
•
The Academic Advisement Center assists students in making the academic and personal choices
that help them identify and accomplish their educational, professional, and personal goals. The
Academic Advisement Center serves all Buffalo State students, but the primary constituency of the
center staff is undeclared students.
• VISION
•
The University College’s Academic Advisement Center will be a leader at Buffalo State and
nationally, known for its effective guidance of exploring students to achieve timely graduation
• CORE VALUES
•
•
•
•
Academic advising is an integral part of the process of higher education.; it is teaching, mentoring,
counseling, and coaching students to help them make informed choices that accomplish their
educational, professional, and personal goals.
Regular advisor/student contact is essential for an effective working relationship. Advisors are
accountable to students and the institution for the professionalism of their conduct and the
accuracy of the information they provide.
Advisors help students establish realistic goals and accurate self-perceptions that guide decision
making about academic and professional choices.
Advisors assist students with their transitions to the academic world by helping them see value in
the learning process, gain perspective on the college experience, understand the college culture
and environment, set priorities, and accept accountability for their decisions and actions.
Purpose of Advising
1. Protects students:
a. Facilitates timely graduation
b. Demonstrates how to negotiate bureaucratic
systems and how to network after college
2. Students should:
a. Maintain a file of all paperwork for
documentation purposes
b. Use the electronic catalog:
http:// www.buffalostate.edu/undergradcat.xml
c. Keep all advisement slips
Advisor’s Responsibility
• Your advisor:
– Helps you define and develop realistic academic
and career goals
– Assists you in planning a reasonable program
toward timely graduation
– Is knowledgeable about college policies and
procedures and explain them to you
– Establishes and maintains an accessible schedule
– Refers you to support services when appropriate
Advisee’s Responsibility
• You should:
– Know the policies and procedures in the catalog,
which is your contract with the institution
– Access Degree Navigator
http://www.buffalostate.edu/registrar/dn4student.xml to evaluate
your progress and the placement of required courses
– Define and develop your career goals realistically
– Remain in constant contact with your advisor
– Use support services as needed
– Read all mail received from the college, both in hard
copy and electronic
Time Constraints Facing the
Working Adult Student
One major issue facing the working adult is limited time availability.
Unfortunately, time availability of advisee and advisor are at odds. Therefore, the
following information is intended to assist the student in making informed choices
about course selection prior to discussion with the advisor. It is imperative that all
students have knowledge concerning the program of General Education
requirements for which they are apart. The links below will help you determine
what program you are in and where your courses fit within that program.
•
•
The GEC requirements may be found at:
http://www.buffalostate.edu/registrar/documents/gec.htm
The GE2K requirements may be found at:
http://www.buffalostate.edu/registrar/documents/ge2000.htm
•
The Intellectual Foundations requirements may be found at:
http://www.buffalostate.edu/intellectualfoundations/x536.xml
Frequently Asked Questions
1.
How do I find out who my advisor is?
Look in Banner under Personal Information. Select the latest term avail
able. If no advisor is listed, and:
* You are in a major, contact your department
* You are undeclared and a part of Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), call
878-4225
* You are undeclared, call the Academic Advisement Center 878-5223
2. What do I do if I have credits from another institution?
Credits from other institutions will only be accepted with official transcripts. For
information, visit: http://www.buffalostate.edu/admissions/transfer.xml
or call: 878-4017
3. How do I withdraw from a class?
If a student fails to officially withdraw from a course, an E grade will be recorded. For
information, visit: http://www.buffalostate.edu/academicaffairs/x559.xml
4. How do I take a class pass/fail?
Pass/fail option is not available to first-year students. For information, visit:
http://www.buffalostate.edu/academicaffairs/x567.xml
Frequently Asked Questions (cont’d)
5. Where can I get help with study skills/success tips?
Academic Skills Center offers an array of assistance. For information, visit:
http://www.buffalostate.edu/academicsupport/x491.xml or call 878-4041
6. Is the library open on weekends?
Yes, the library is open both Saturday and Sunday. For information, visit
http://library.buffalostate.edu/hours/february.php or call 878-6300
7.
I find myself feeling overly stressed...is there someone I can talk to?
The counseling center staff is there to help. For information, visit:
http://buffalostate.edu/counselingcenter/x457.xml or call 878-4436
The Counseling Center Village is made up of many individual home pages
created by colleges and university counseling centers. For self-help
information on a variety of topics, visit The Virtual Pamphlet Collection:
http://ccvillage.buffalo.edu/vpc.html
Things you can do to help you become informed about issues
concerning your education.
•
Contact advisor as early as possible in order to find a meeting time conducive to both schedules.
•
Your advisor is going to ask you about your career interests/goals. Begin thinking about this conversation
before you meet with an advisor. What program/courses will best help you in your goals/position? Is there
a possibility that you may receive credit for work experience?
•
If you have already declared a major, look up your degree program in the college catalog website for
course requirements. Check potential courses you might want to register for in the college catalog or
Banner. Note course descriptions and prerequisite requirements, along with any questions you want to
discuss.
•
Review your Degree Navigator (student audit), and write down any questions or concerns you have
regarding your major or course requirements for your session.
•
Check Banner for Registration Holds and your specific registration date.
•
Pay attention to deadlines such as last day to drop/add, tuition payment due date, refund period, course
withdrawal period, graduation application deadline. If you miss one, it could cost you, both educationally
and financially.
•
Select classes based on your academic capabilities. For example, if math and science are challenging areas
for you, do not take these courses in the same semester.
•
Be careful when selecting summer and inter-semester classes. Remember that you are
receiving 15 weeks' worth of information in a 2 to 5 week period. The pace can be fast and
furious.
•
Communication is the key – don’t be afraid to ask for help or discuss issues that are relevant
to your educational, personal, social or career development. This is your session.
•
Read any Buffalo State College material that you receive either by mail or in-person. This
material often contains vital information that may be essential for your academic
achievement.
•
Obtain the facts. Don’t assume that college policy advice from other students is accurate.
•
Students should:
Save copies of all college documents (transcripts, drop/add forms, receipts for
registration and graduation applications, change of area forms, etc.) You may need to refer to
them in the future. Ask for and keep a copy of your advisement slip.
http:// www.buffalostate.edu/undergradcat.xml
Keep all advisement slips
The college holds you responsible for your academic
progress …. but, you don’t have to go it alone!!!
Spring 2010
Fall 2010
•
Monday, January 25, 2010
Classes Begin
•
Monday, August 30, 2010
Classes Begin
•
Friday, January 29, 2010
Deadline for Indep.
Study, Project,
Course by Contract
•
Monday, September 06, 2010
•
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Labor Day Recess (no
classes)
Academic Convocation
•
Monday, October 11, 2010
Fall Recess (no classes)
•
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Veterans Day Recess
(no classes)
•
Wednesday, November 24, 2010 –
Saturday, November 27, 2010
•
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Registration Ends for
Spring 2010
•
Friday, February 05, 2010
Deadline for Degree
Applications (May)
•
•
Monday, February 15, 2010 Tuesday, February 16, 2010President's Day
Recess (No Classes)
Monday, March 29, 2010 –
Saturday April 03, 2010
•
•
•
Spring Recess (No
Classes)
Wednesday, April 07, 2010
Deadline for Course
W/D, Pass/Fail Appl.
Registration Begins
Sum/Fall 2010
Friday, May 07, 2010
Leave of Absence
other than Medical,
Withdrawal from
College
Study Day
Monday, May 10, 2010 –
Thursday, May 13, 2010
2010 Semester
Critique & Evaluation
Period (CEP)
Final Day of Spring
•
Friday, May 14, 2010
Emergency CEP Day
•
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Commencement
•
Friday, December 10, 2010
•
Monday, December 13, 2010 –
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Thanksgiving Day
Recess (no classes)
Study Day
Critique & Evaluation
Period (CEP)
•
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Final Day of Fall 2010
Semester
•
Friday, December 17, 2010
Emergency CEP Day
Campus Phone Numbers
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Academic Skills Center
878-4041
Alumni Office
878-6001
Barnes and Noble Bookstore
878-5509
BSC Copy Center
878-4509
Counseling Center
878-4436
Disability Services
878-4500
E. H. Butler Library
878-6300
Equity and Campus Diversity
878-6210
Campus Phone Numbers (cont’d)
• Fitness Center
Minority Student Services
• Motor Assistance Program
• Safe Escort Program
• University Police
• Weigel Health Center
878-3816
878-4631
878-6333
878-6333
878-6333
878-6711
References
•
Skorupa, Kenn (2002, December). Adult learners as consumers. The Academic Advising News,
25(3). Retrieved -insert today's date- from the NACADA Clearinghouse of Academic Advising
Resources Web site: http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/Clearinghouse/AdvisingIssues/adultlearners.htm
•
http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/index.htm
•
http://www.buffalostate.edu/academicsupport/x7.xml