Advising Edge Network Meeting

Advising Network Fall'98 Meeting

Wed, Oct 28, 1998

Previous Meeting: SP98

Next Meeting: SP99

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Developmental Advising

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I. Informal Networking

While a full house of participants enjoyed "treats", Catherine Shaver, Cathy Tugman, and Kim Price earned prizes for the first to complete their "networking" sheets.

II. Special Topics & General Forum

Kathy Thompson opened the program with an overview of the Advising Edge's purpose and the array of advising support tools available on the website. In an effort to share some of the information gathered at the 1998 National Advising Conference, she focused on four key topics - "Emphasis on the Whole Student" ,"Developmental Advising" , "Teaching the Advisor and the Advisee", "Moving Beyond the Advisor's Office". Advisors are rediscovering the importance of viewing a student within the context of their whole life setting. There is also a shift from prescriptive advising toward a more developmental approach. In a developmental model, the advisor stimulates and supports a student's quest for an enriched quality of life. This systematic process of aiding students to achieve their goals rests on a close advisor-student relationship. Both the advisor and the advisee need support and adequate training. There is a growing recognition of the need to take advising initiatives to the students, creating collaborative outreach programs that assist students in connecting to supports and achieving educational goals. A handout giving an overview of the conference was distributed, which included notes on upcoming regional and state advising conferences.

Copies of the Advisors' Notes for SP99 Priority Registration, and SP99 Priority Registration Help (brochure) were distributed. (Representatives also received departmental packets of newsletters.) Kathy pointed out that Priority Registration Week is November 16-20, with fee payment due on Friday, November 20. All areas are asked by Vice President Bompart to maintain appropriate staffing during this week with night hours on Tuesday, November 17 and Wednesday, November 18 until 6:00PM. Kathy cautioned that although ASTRO is available until midnight, the Student Records office will obviously have shorter hours. Students required to register at Student Records (those with CPC holds or students who are RTP delinquent) should check the listing for Student Records hours in their course schedule booklets. Students registering on ASTRO should follow ASTRO's starting times. An unofficial transcript for advisors is now available in a friendly format on BANNER (WTRN100) - print either individually by student number or in groups by department. (Users are reminded that this is confidential material which necessitates special handling.)

Participants were then asked to discuss in small groups how we might help our students adjust to semesters. Exchanges were lively and thoughtful. Groups were then asked to share their ideas. Catherine Prysiazny (Languages, Literature & Communications) related that Shannon Stephens (Counseling & Testing) had shared information about her area's seminars which address some of Catherine's key student concerns. She plans to incorporate these resources early in her course next term. Several groups noted the quickened pace of instruction and the expanded study load students take on under semesters. Several comments focused on the need to educate students as to their responsibilities and the realities of semester format. Catherine Shaver (Admissions) noted that in spite of the challenges, semesters are here to stay and that in recruiting students, she emphasized the positives, such as the opportunities our students have for personal contact with faculty. A number of groups also pointed out the need to clarify advising roles. Cathy Tugman (Biology) pointed out that the Advising Roles and Responsibilities is a good starting place.

Discussion had to be closed as the allotted time had been fully utilized. Kathy Thompson suggested that participants share any additional comments or suggestions with her. She also asked that everyone consider some of the advising initiatives discussed and make recommendations. In view of the healthy discussions, Kathy proposed that members strongly consider a possible campus conference on advising.

III. Next Network Meeting: Wed Mar 17

Informal networking at 1:45PM, and the program at 2:00PM.

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Last updated 29-October-1998
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