Appendix C

Responsibilities of Advisers and Advisees

Academic advising is an integral part of undergraduate education. The goal of all academic advising is to assist students to take responsibility for developing meaningful educational plans compatible with their career and personal goals. Advising is more than imparting specialized knowledge; it includes helping students formulate important questions about the nature and direction of their education and helping them find answers to those questions. Advisers will confer with students about course schedules and educational experiences, but students themselves are responsible for selecting the content of their academic program and making progress toward an academic degree.

As students progress through their academic program, their advising needs change. The University of Texas at Austin provides a network of academic advisers to meet these ongoing and multifaceted needs. Depending on their particular needs and interests, students may work with a variety of advisers to help them through their academic careers.

Within the advising system at the University, both students and advisers have responsibilities.

Students have the responsibility:

To schedule and keep academic advising appointments in a timely manner throughout their academic careers so as to avoid seeking help only during busy registration periods;
To learn the requirements of their particular academic program, selecting courses that meet those requirements in an appropriate timeframe, and monitoring their progress toward graduation:
To meet critical deadlines for functions such as registration, add/drop, Q drop, and application for graduation;
To be prepared for advising sessions (i.e., by bringing a list of questions or concerns, having a tentative schedule in mind, and/or being prepared to discuss interests and goals with their adviser);
To continue asking questions until all concerns are addressed;
To seek help when needed, not waiting until a crisis develops;
To inform the adviser of important changes which directly affect academic performance and educational goals;
To discuss with the adviser any unsatisfactory academic performance and its implications in order to develop a program of action since the advising process is built on open and honest communication.

Advisers have the responsibility:

To help students clarify their values, goals, and better understand themselves;
To aid students in understanding the nature and purposes of a college education;
To assist students in developing a well-planned exploratory program to facilitate choice of major and career;
To provide accurate information about educational options, requirements, policies, and procedures;
To help students plan educational programs consistent with the requirements of their degree program and with their goals, interests, and abilities;
To assist students in continual monitoring and evaluating of their educational progress and in solving problems that inhibit that progress;
To help students identify and integrate the many resources of the University to meet their unique educational needs and goals;
To encourage students in refining career goals and interfacing with career services;
To act, in appropriate circumstances, as an advocate for the student;
To provide an advising delivery system that includes privacy, reasonable access and appropriate record keeping.

Developed by the Provost's Council for Academic Advising, 1996.

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Last updated: 14 March 2002