How Advising Works

An academic advisor's role is to provide advice and guidance appropriate to advance each individual student's educational goals and plans. An advisor is an educator, very much like a faculty member is in the classroom. Advisors endeavor to inform, support, and encourage each student in a manner that the advisor deems appropriate to educate that particular student. It is recommended that students meet with their academic advisors regularly in order to ensure appropriate degree progress.

Each student is assigned to a professional college academic advisor during freshmen orientation or upon transfer admission to the college. This advisor works with the student on planning of college core requirements, graduation planning, and general educational planning throughout the student's educational career. If there is a change to the college advising staff, a new advisor may be assigned.

Students with a declared major also work with a faculty or departmental advisor, specifically on major requirements and progress. Students should contact their department to arrange for major advising. Faculty or departmental advisors also advise on minor and certificate requirements and progress.

Because the college has relatively few advisors for a very large number of students, it is recommended that students schedule an advising appointment at least two (2) weeks in advance. This is especially true during the busiest registration periods. When possible, the goal is always to try to see students within a much shorter timeframe. However, appropriate planning and awareness are necessary on the part of each student as well. Most appointments are scheduled for 30 minutes and the advisor will try to use that time with the student as efficiently as possible. One-hour appointments are available upon request and are required for transfer students and students seeking help with major selection. Students can schedule an advising appointment by calling 556-5860. Students who are 15 minutes late for an appointment will need to reschedule. Advance notice of appointment cancellation is appreciated and provides an opportunity for other students to see the advisor.

All Arts and Sciences freshmen are required to meet with their academic advisor before being able to register for classes each semester. Academic advising and course registration begins for all freshmen during Bearcat Bound freshman orientation. Declared freshmen meet with their college academic advisor during the summer,fall and spring semesters. Exploratory freshmen meet with their college academic advisor during the summer, fall and spring semesters. The implementation of the mandatory freshman advising program has led to large increases in student success and retention.

Open walk-in advising is available during the first three days of the autumn and spring semesterss. "Quick question" advising may be available on a walk-in basis during other times of the academic year depending on staffing availability.

A letter of invitation is sent from the College of Arts and Sciences to new transfer students with instructions and information about the student's assigned college advisor. Transfer students should request a one-hour new transfer student appointment.

Exploratory students are assigned to a professional advisor who is uniquely skilled to help students navigate the admission and program requirements for all undergraduate majors offered at UC. Students are strongly encouraged to actively explore majors and try to reach a decision within their first academic year, if possible. The following exploratory students are required to attend a mandatory advising session prior to registration each academic semester:

• All first-year exploratory students
• All second-year exploratory students with a CUM GPA below a 2.30
• All exploratory students with 60+ semester credit hours

First-year students with below a 2.0 cumulative University Grade Point Average (UGPA) at the end of fall semester are considered by the college to be on Academic Alert. They will be restricted from registering for classes for the following fall semester until they successfully participate in required academic assistance spring semester. Academic assistance could be either enrolling and successfully completing College Success Skills (MLTI-1023), or academic coaching/tutoring sessions offered by UC's Learning Commons.

First-Year Transfer Students:
First-year transfer students with below a 2.0 cumulative UGPA at the end of their first semester are considered by the college to be on Academic Alert. They will also be restricted from registering for classes in subsequent semesters pending the successful participation and completion of the required academic assistance. Academic assistance could be either enrolling and successfully completing College Success Skills (MLTI-1023), or academic coaching/tutoring sessions offered by UC's Learning Commons.

Academic Probation: Students will be considered on Academic Probation once they have attempted a total of 30 semester hours and have less than a 2.0 UGPA. At that point, they have one more semester to improve their UGPA, or face Academic Suspension.