Faculty advisors are expected to provide information and direction toward successful achievement of a degree in the major, and to be supportive by answering questions that assist in students reaching their academic goals.
Responsibilities of the Faculty Advisor
- Acquire knowledge of students goals and interests
- Be knowledgeable about the program requirements for successful completion of the degree
- Monitor student progress toward completion of the degree requirements
- Be available to meet students in person each semester to discuss pre- and post-registration course selection and planning, problems, questions about progress in the major, studying abroad, undergraduate research, or to provide professional advice.
- Provide information about University Academic requirements (Discovery courses, Writing Intensive Program, graduation forms, etc.).
- Provide information on academic support resources available at UNH when appropriate.
- Provide advice on careers and post-graduation goals (e.g., employment, graduate school, professional school, etc.).
- Respond promptly to student requests for information or to set up appointments to meet.
- Make clear the preferred means by which the students are to contact you.
Responsibilities of the Student Advisee
- Respond promptly to your academic advisor’s e-mail requests.
- Know the preferred means by which your advisor is to be contacted.
- Schedule academic advising appointments in a timely manner.
- Be prepared and bring the needed materials/information to your academic advising appointment. A filled out registration form is ideal.
- If you have developed a list of some or all of your courses for the coming semester, prepare a preliminary schedule showing days and times.
- Ask questions if you do not understand an issue or have a specific concern
- Consult with your advisor if you are having any academic difficulties.
- Demonstrate respect for faculty advisor.
- Allow adequate time for advisor to write recommendations and complete forms.
The advisor provides guidance; it is also a responsibility of the student to ensure that all requirements to graduate on time have been met, and that appropriate grades have been received in major-required biology courses [C- or better].
Useful links for Student Advising
Capstone Designation Form
Advisor Guide for first meeting with an advisee
The first contact is often with a first semester freshman, but also for students changing advisors/majors, and for transfers students. This is their first introduction to you and often to the program, and provides your opportunity to begin guidance. Things to achieve for the first meeting are:
- Go over the checklist for the major. Note Discovery Courses, Major Required Courses, and the pools of courses that may be used to satisfy the major areas of focus. Briefly discuss the Writing Intensive program and the capstone requirement. Make sure they know that courses used to satisfy a Discovery requirement MUST be chosen from the Discovery course list for that semester.
- Ask if they have any post-graduate plans. If they are interested in the health professions, then make sure they are aware of the Pre-Professional Health Advising Office, and that certain course on the majors checklist should be chosen over other options. Make clear that AP courses, summer school courses, community college courses, or J-term courses are not considered acceptable to professional schools for their required background courses. These courses, if accepted by the university, may be used to satisfy major requirements.
- If the major has a B.A. option, be sure to explain the difference between a B.S. and a B.A., and make sure of the option they have chosen.
- Previously accepted courses/credits (AP, highschool college credits, and for transfer students). Ask if they have any. If this is not indicated by documents in the student folder, then let them know they need to check with the registrar to see that the course credit information was received by the university.