Advisor Best Practices

Academic advising is a form of teaching and is a valued responsibility for all faculty members. Advisors are expected to perform their advising duties with the same level of care and attention given to teaching and scholarly work.

  • Academic advising is not counseling. Academic advisors are not held to the same standards of confidentiality as counselors.
  • Advisees are ultimately responsible for making their own decisions and for meeting all requirements. Advisors do not make choices for advisees, but assist them in the process of exploring alternatives and becoming self-directed.
  • Advisors discuss and clarify the personal and professional goals, interests and abilities of their advisees, and make connections between academic preparation and goals
  • Advisors articulate academic expectations with students and evaluate their academic progress
  • Advisors answer questions about academic policies, procedures, and degree requirements
  • Advisors guide students toward courses, campus resources and activities that will enhance their individual experience and help them to reach their goals
  • Advisors encourage students and/or direct them toward support services as needed
  • Advisors are accessible and available to students. They are expected to meet with their advisees at least two times per semester, and check their Alfred email account regularly.
  • Advisors know the academic/administrative policies and regulations of the College and the University. They are aware of their responsibilities under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
  • Advisors use BannerWeb and are able to show students how to perform basic tasks using BannerWeb
  • Advisors understand graduation requirements, including Physical Education (PE) and Global Perspectives (GP), and inform students consistently of these requirements
  • Advisors are aware of academic deadlines articulated in the AU Academic Calendar, and inform their advisees of these deadlines