Academic Advising/Faculty Advisors
Academic advising is an integral part of the student's overall educational experience. A faculty or staff member who serves as academic advisor assists the student in choosing an academic major, in developing a program of study consistent with the student's life goals and objectives, in evaluating progress toward established goals, and in developing decision-making skills. Advisors provide students with up-to-date information concerning institutional policies, procedures, and programs. Advisors make referrals to other support services on campus.
Because the academic advising process is an integral aspect of student success, North Georgia has adopted the following philosophy of academic advisement.
Academic advisement is a process-oriented, interactive professional relationship between advisor and advisee. It is viewed as process-oriented because it involves the developmental stage of career exploration of the advisee, followed by a course of action that includes discovery, knowledge, timeliness, and precision on the part of both advisor and advisee. Both parties are responsible for the success of the relationship, as follows:
An advisor is expected to
- respect advisees,
- have knowledge of the University's general education curriculum,
- have knowledge of advisement issues related to the major(s),
- be efficient and accurate when completing programs of study,
- help advisees explore their academic progress,
- assist advisees with career choice(s), and
- be available for advisement throughout the academic year, including prior to and during pre-registration.
An advisee is expected to
- respect the advisor,
- read and apply the information in the Undergraduate Bulletin,
- make and keep appointments with the advisor,
- be prepared for appointments with the advisor,
- be familiar with the general education curriculum,
- learn about prerequisites and other aspects of the chosen major, and
- engage in exploration of career choice.
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 – and first-year students in pre-education are advised by selected faculty and staff in 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.
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.