McMicken College of Arts & SciencesUniversity of Cincinnati

How Advising Works

Role of the College Advisor

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.

^ Top

Assigned College Advisors

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.

^ Top

Faculty or Departmental Advisors

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.

^ Top

College Advising Appointments

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.

^ Top

First Year Mandatory College Advising

All McMicken freshmen are required to meet with their academic advisor before being able to register for classes each quarter. 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, autumn and winter quarters. Exploratory freshmen meet with their college academic advisor during the summer, autumn, winter and spring quarters. The implementation of the mandatory freshman advising program has led to large increases in student success and retention.

^ Top

"Quick Question" and Walk-In Advising

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

^ Top

New Transfer Student Advising

Transfer students may be advised only after their credits have first been evaluated and equated by UC's Transfer Credit Evaluation Center and after they have fully reviewed the online Transfer Orientation Module. A letter of invitation is sent from McMicken College 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.

^ Top

Exploratory Advising

Exploratory students are assigned to specially trained, exploratory academic advisors that can assist students both with course planning as well as big-picture issues such as major selection. Students are strongly encouraged to actively explore majors and try to reach a decision within the first academic year, if possible. Exploratory students in their first year and those with 90+ credit hours have mandatory advising each quarter prior to registration and until declaring a major.

^ Top

Registration Restrictions for Probationary Freshmen

First year students with below a 2.0 cumulative grade point average in autumn quarter are restricted from registering for spring quarter classes until they successfully participate in required academic assistance winter quarter. Academic assistance could be enrolling and successfully participating in College Success Skills (15-MLTI-123) or completion of academic coaching sessions by UC's Learning Assistance Center.

^ Top

Student Satisfaction with Advising

Student satisfaction is one of many benchmarks that the advising center uses to determine success of the college's advising functions. All of the college's current advisors have received ratings between 87% and 97% student satisfaction annually, despite carrying very heavy caseloads of students. However, if a student does not "click" with their own advisor and would like to request a different advisor, such requests are generally honored. These requests and any specific comments or concerns should be directed to the Asst. Dean for Academic Advising.

photo