I. Introduction

Letter from the Director

Advisement at Canisius

Faculty Advisor Responsibilities

Student Responsibilities

Reminders for Effective Advising

Advisor Web Resources

SAC Mission Statement

Dear Colleagues,

“Good advising may be the single most underestimated characteristic of a
successful college experience.”  Richard Light, 2001.  Making the Most of College.

The Faculty Advisor Handbook was developed to provide freshman and faculty advisors with the most accurate Canisius College academic advising information.  The results of the January 2007 Faculty Perceptions of Academic Advisement Survey suggested the need for additional advising resources for all academic advisors on campus.  Many of the materials contained in this Handbook have been included based upon advisors’ requests for specific information.

This comprehensive advisement tool has been created to be as user-friendly as possible, and is intended to serve as a reference guide for advisors as they work with their student advisees.  The handbook includes sections on the academic curriculum, AP and transfer credit, academic skills placement, special student programs, academic policies and procedures related to registration and advisement, available campus resources, FERPA, academic integrity, and quick FAQ’s for advisors.  In addition, there are specific sections for both freshman advisement/registration and faculty advisement in the major. 

  • All advisors are encouraged to use the following resources in conjunction with this handbook to supplement their advising needs.
  • Canisius College Undergraduate Catalog
  • Fall/Spring Registration and Advisement Guide produced by the Office of Student Records and Registration
  • Major and minor DRS forms available here.
I hope that you find the Faculty Advisor Handbook to be clear and helpful as you continue to develop, strengthen, and maintain your advising skills.  Please feel free to contact me in the Student Advisement Center at x.2148 if you have any advising-related questions or concerns.

Best,

Christine J. Ryan, Ph.D.
Director of Academic Advisement

          
Academic Advisement at Canisius College

Academic advisement at Canisius College is dedicated to total student development, including intellectual and personal growth.  It is a planning process in which the adviser helps the student set and achieve academic goals, acquire relevant information and services, and make responsible decisions consistent with interests, goals, abilities, and degree requirements. This includes preparing for registration, resolving academic problems, and offering academic/educational advice. Academic advisors help students match the College's resources to their needs and goals so that they get the maximum benefit from their college experience and, at graduation, are prepared for life after college.
Academic advising goes beyond the clerical functions of scheduling classes and preparing degree plans. It utilizes the resources of the College and refers students to the appropriate academic support services. Academic advisement is a decision-making process in which the sharing of information between student and advisor promotes responsible and appropriate choices and facilitates a successful academic experience.  In sum, academic advisement is viewed as a valuable retention tool that fosters intellectual and personal development toward academic success and lifelong learning.

Goals of Academic Advisement:
  • To help students clarify their values and goals.
  • To provide accurate information about educational options, requirements, policies and procedures.
  • To plan an educational program consistent with a student’s interests and abilities.
  • To assist students in a continual monitoring and evaluation of their educational progress.
  • To integrate the many resources of the institution to meet the student’s special educational needs and  aspirations  
Academic Advisement that contributes to student success and retention:

  • Is a student-centered process
  • Facilitates behavioral awareness and problem-solving, decision-making and evaluation skills.
  • Encourages both short term and long-term goal setting
  • Makes students feel like they “matter”
  • Stresses the shared responsibility between the student and advisor, with an emphasis on the advisor helping the student to make decisions for themselves.
Faculty Advisor Responsibilities:

  • Assist students with understanding the college’s core curriculum, graduation requirements, and academic policies and procedures.
  • Help students to develop clear and attainable educational plans consistent with their abilities and interests.
  • Monitor student academic progress.
  • Assist students in developing decision making skills and in assuming responsibility for their educational goals.
  • Match student needs with available resources and services on campus and make appropriate referrals.
  • Be accessible to students in need of assistance via office hours, telephone, and/or email.
Student Responsibilities:

  • Freshmen must meet with their academic advisor at least two times each semester of the first year (mid-semester and prior to registration) to review academic progress, select appropriate courses, and receive their registration PIN #.
  • Sophomores, juniors, and seniors must meet with their academic advisor at least once each semester prior to registration to discuss appropriate courses and receive their registration PIN #.
  • Come prepared to each advisement appointment with questions or materials you have for discussion with your advisor, including an updated degree requirement summary form.
  • Clarify personal values and goals and provide the advisor with accurate information regarding their interests and abilities.
  • Become knowledgeable about the college’s curriculum, graduation requirements, and academic policies and procedures.
  • Be an active learner and gather all relevant decision-making information as suggested by the advisor or professors.
  • Ask questions if they do not understand an issue or have a specific concern.
  • Accept responsibility for their decisions.
Reminders for Effective Advising:

  • Care about students as people by showing empathy, understanding, and respect
  • Establish a warm, genuine, and open relationship
  • Be a good listener
  • Establish rapport by remembering personal information about students
  • Be available, keep office hours and appointments
  • Provide accurate information
  • When in doubt, refer to catalog, advisor handbook, etc.
  • Know how and when to make referrals, and be familiar with referral sources
  • Do not refer too hastily; on the other hand, do not attempt to handle situation for which you are not qualified or comfortable
  • Have students contact referral sources in your presence, when possible
  • Keep in frequent contact with students; take the initiative; don’t always wait for them to come to you
  • Do not make decisions for students; help them make their own decisions
  • Focus on students’ strengths and potentials rather than limitations
  • Seek out students in informal settings
  • Monitor students’ progress toward educational goals
  • Determine reasons for poor academic performance and direct student to appropriate support services
  • Be realistic and honest with students
  • Use all available information sources
  • Clearly outline students’ responsibilities
  • Follow through on commitments made to students
  • Encourage students to consider and develop career alternatives, when appropriate
  • Keep anecdotal record of significant conversation for future reference
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of your advising
  • Do not be critical of other faculty or staff to students
  • Be knowledgeable about career opportunities and job outlook for various majors
  • Encourage students to talk by asking open-ended questions
  • Do not betray confidential information
  • Categorize students’ questions; are they seeking action, information, involvement or understanding?
  • Be yourself and encourage students to be themselves
  • From Modes and Models for Designing and Implementing a Successful Advising Plan, Noel-Levitz, NACADA conference, October 7, 1999, Page 97
Faculty Advisor Web Resources:

Additional resources for faculty advisors are available on-line at the Student Advisement Center website.

Also available online:

Student Advisement Center Mission Statement

The Canisius College Student Advisement Center (SAC) is dedicated to total student development, including intellectual and personal growth.  By creating collaborative relationships between academic advisors and students, the SAC provides comprehensive academic advisement.  Our goal is to empower students to take responsibility for their educational, career, and personal goals.  Additionally, the SAC staff is dedicated to creating a supportive and friendly atmosphere where students feel comfortable seeking assistance concerning non-academic issues as well.

The Student Advisement Center is committed to the following:

  • Preparing students for a successful transition to their first year of college by providing a quality introduction to Canisius academic life at Summer Orientation.
  • Educating students about college policies and procedures and providing information that will help them understand their responsibilities and rights as members of the college community.
  • Providing frequent communication throughout the academic year on when and how students should schedule progress and registration advisement appointments.
  • Providing students with the skills to track their mid-semester academic progress.
  • Assisting first year and undeclared students with course selection and registration.
  • Providing degree planning with thorough review of the Degree Requirement Summary (DRS forms).
  • Helping students connect with their academic departments and faculty members.
  • Serving as a resource for both students and parents by addressing their academic questions and concerns.
Additionally, in order to serve our students better, we strive to:

  • Provide comprehensive, quality training and advisement tools for faculty advisors.
  • Improve our technology in order to make it easy for students, parents, faculty, and staff to access pertinent information on the web regarding SAC functions, policies and academic requirements.
  • Develop relationships with other campus offices and departments to create co-curricular programming and events.
  • Expand and improve data collection to predict student need