Academic Advising/Faculty Advisors
Academic Advisement at North Georgia is a teaching and learning process that supports the institutional mission of developing and educating leaders. Advisement is a relationship between the advisor and student that equips the student with the decision-making, problem-solving, and analytical skills required to fulfill his/her educational, career, and life goals. The advisement process teaches students to make effective academic decisions based on their values and interests, and to appreciate the connection between their academic experiences at North Georgia as they prepare to become educated leaders in a global community.
An advisor is expected to:
- Be available, approachable, and respectful of students
- Encourage and support students as they develop realistic goals and attainable educational plans
- Have a thorough understanding of NGCSU's core curriculum, institutional requirements, and degree requirements
- Be efficient and accurate when discussing degree requirements with advisees
- Assist students in developing decision-making skills and encourage them to accept responsibility for their choices
- Maintain confidentiality
- Be knowledgeable about campus resources, support services, and opportunities; referring students as needed
An advisee is expected to:
- Be respectful of their advisor
- Schedule appointments with their advisor and be on time
- Come prepared for appointments by becoming familiar with the NGCSU Undergraduate Bulletin, core curriculum, and program of study for their major
- Check NGCSU email regularly and become familiar with Banner
- Ask questions
- Familiarize themselves with the academic calendar and be aware of important deadlines, such as advisement and withdrawal
- Accept responsibility for their decisions
Each student who chooses an academic major is assigned to an advisor in the academic department of the student's major. Open-option students – i.e., those who have not chosen a major are advised by the University's Academic Advisement Center.
Prior to the academic advising period, students should schedule an appointment with their academic advisor through their academic department or Advisement Center.
During the Summer term, the department head is responsible for assigning advising duties to summer faculty, as appropriate.
All students with less than 45 earned hours or who are not in good academic standing must see their academic advisors for advisement prior to registering for courses. Any student with less than 45 hours who attempts to register will be blocked from the registration area in Banner until they see their academic advisors and obtain alternate personal identification numbers (AltPIN) that will allow them to access the registration area. Once advisement is completed, the advisor will provide the student with the AltPIN that will enable the student to access registration in Banner. Once a student earns more than 45 hours or is back in good standing, an AltPIN is no longer required for registration.
Academic advisors are allowed to email PINS to current NGCSU students who are on military deployment or who are otherwise unable to meet face-to-face with their academic advisors during the university advisement and registration period. PINs must be mailed to NGCSU email accounts only.
Each student is encouraged to communicate with their advisor concerning contemplated schedule, educational, or career plan changes or to discuss academic problems and concerns. Although advisors provide guidance and assistance to students, it is ultimately the responsibility of each student to be familiar with the requirements of her/his program of study and the undergraduate bulletin.