Advising

WE ARE HERE TO HELP!

Dr. Jennifer Rhinesmith-Carranza
Academic Advisor IV

jrcarranza@tamu.edu
979-845-7616
Office: 114 KLCT
Majors: ENTO, FIVS

 

 

 

Student and Advisor Responsibilities

• An advisor has a wealth of knowledge regarding policies, procedures and student rules related to student organizations.
• Advisors work collaboratively with students by sharing responsibility for the organization and its events.
• Advisors help student leaders use their best judgment in selecting and planning programs.
• Advisors provide an outlet for students to talk about classes, their role in the organization and everyday issues that students face.
• Advisors are here to support and guide the organization, empowering students to make fair, intelligent, and reasonable decisions based on institutional guiding boundaries.

Working With Your Advisor

The relationship between advisor and advisee is one of shared responsibility. Though you as a student are ultimately responsible for the choices you make in college, the University realizes that in order to make informed decisions, students need the mentoring and advice of academic advisors and others in the University community. Your academic advisor is your primary resource regarding academic issues, opportunities, and programs and could perhaps be thought of as the coordinator of your educational experiences.

STUDENT Responsibilities

Advisors can help you understand fully all of your options and avoid needless mistakes, but only if you take the initiative to seek their advice. Your responsibilities in the advising relationship are:

1. To take the initiative to contact your advisor.  Be mindful of the need to work with advisers during posted office hours or take the initiative to make other arrangements when necessary.
2. To prepare a list of questions or concerns before each meeting with your advisor. Have a tentative written schedule prepared if you are registering.
3. To gather all relevant decision-making information.
4. To seek sources of information which will assist you in making academic/career decisions.
5. To ask questions! If you don’t understand a policy or a procedure, ask questions until you do understand. Be knowledgeable about policies, procedures and requirements
6. To be familiar with the requirements of the major(s) which you are pursuing, and to schedule courses each semester in accordance with those requirements.
7. To be aware of the prerequisites for each course that you include in your semester schedule and to discuss with your advisor how prerequisites will affect the sequencing of your courses.
8. To follow university procedures for registering courses and for making adjustments to your class schedule.
9. To observe academic deadlines. Don’t miss deadlines. Know when to register and when to drop or add classes. Set up appointments with your advisor well in advance of these deadlines.
10. To keep your advisor informed about changes in your academic progress, course selection, and academic/career goals.
11. To keep a personal record of your progress towards your degree. Organize official university documents (Undergraduate Catalog, Schedule of Classes, Program Curriculum, etc.) in a way that enables you to access them when needed.
12. To participate fully in the courses for which you are registered by completing assignments on time and attending class.
13. To understand academic performance standards, academic probation, academic dismissal, and to know GPA requirements.
14. To notify the university if your address or phone changes and to read your university mail, including e-mail.
15. To inform your advisor or the Dean’s Office immediately whenever a serious problem (medical, financial, personal) disrupts your ability to attend classes or interferes with your ability to focus on your education and to perform your best work.

ADVISOR Responsibilities:

1. To clarify university policies, regulations, programs, and procedures about which you may have questions.
2. To be available to meet with you each semester.
3. To keep regular office hours and be adequately available to meet with you.
4. To offer advice on selecting courses and to assist you in developing an academic plan that satisfies degree requirements.
5. To be a responsive listener and to refer you to appropriate support services within the university when needed.
6. To discuss with you your academic performance and the implications of your performance for the undergraduate programs, graduate programs and professional programs you desire to pursue.
7. To help you to explore your interests, abilities, and goals and to relate them to academic majors.
8. To be knowledgeable about career opportunities and to refer you to Career Services as needed.
9. To offer you the opportunity to participate in a mentoring relationship which will help you to become more independent and self-directed.

Student and Advisor Responsibilities