General Academic Advising

Academic Advising Description
Academic advising is an educational process that, by intention and design, facilitates students’ understanding of the meaning and purpose of higher education and fosters their intellectual and personal development toward academic success and lifelong learning. (NACADA, 2004)

Academic advising is a collaborative educational process whereby students and their advisers are partners in meeting and ensuring academic, personal and career goals. This partnership requires proactive participation and involvement of both the adviser and students.  At NC State, we consider academic advising a learning process supported by a relationship of mutual respect and collaboration between the adviser and student. The design of responsibilities below is to help ensure that each student understands his/her responsibilities.   

Expected Student Learning Outcomes for the Academic Advising Experience 
Through the academic advising experiences at OASIS:

1. Students will demonstrate the ability to make effective decisions concerning their degree and career goals.
2. Students will develop an educational plan for successfully achieving their goals and select courses each semester to progress toward fulfilling that educational plan.
3. Students will utilize the resources and services on campus to assist them in achieving their academic, personal, and career goals.
4. Students will make use of referrals to campus resources as needed.
5. Students will be able to accurately read and effectively utilize a degree audit in their educational planning.

How to Schedule an Appointment 
Students are asked to schedule an appointment through the Virtual Adviser at: http://www.ncsu.edu/advising_central/virtual_adviser.html.  Please include your ID number, phone number, and three days and times that you prefer for an appointment.

It is important that you are on time for your appointment.  If you are late or unprepared, or do not have your temporary degree audit, your adviser may ask you to reschedule your appointment.

How to Prepare for An Advising Appointment: (Student Responsibilities):
Advisers expect students to:

1. Request and print a copy of the Temporary Degree Audit for your intended majors of interest.  You should select at least three intended majors.  For instructions, please visit http://www.ncsu.edu/advising_central/  -- must be done at least 24 hours in advance of appointment.
2. Plan appropriately for appointments with OASIS advisers:
   • Actively research curriculum, policy and procedure that pertain to your goals
   • Come prepared and ready to ask questions through reflection on your educational goals
   • Plan a potential schedule for the next semester against the intended degree audit
3. At the appointment:
   • Ask to clarify if you do not understand information shared or discussed
   • Accept responsibility for information collected, action plans discussed in sessions, and decisions made with regard to those plans
   • Schedule necessary follow-up meetings via method discussed above
4. Continue to clarify, chart progress toward and re-evaluate your goals on a regular basis.
5. Plan appropriately to matriculate into a degree within one academic year.
6. Inform your OASIS adviser know when you have made your major change.   

It is important that you are on time for your appointment.  If you are late or unprepared, or do not have your temporary degree audit, your adviser may ask you to reschedule your appointment.

How Advisers Prepare for Your Advising Appointments: (Adviser Responsibilities):
Students can expect advisers to: 

1. Understand university requirements and clearly articulate NC State policies and procedures, as well as major and minor requirements. 
2. Assist with course selection as students make progress toward their degree or seek information regarding law school and the process of applying to law school or other graduate programs.   
3. Identify resources, referrals, and strategies for using available resources on campus such as experiential learning, undergraduate research, volunteering, learning abroad and community service.
4. Assist students in making timely and realistic decisions with regard to intracampus transfer.
5. Hold students accountable to the goals that they have set and expect their participation in decision making activities.
6. Provide encouragement and support as students collect information, examine and enhance skills needed to attain your goals.

Confidentiality (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act)  
Advisers maintain confidentiality.  Federal law gives students certain rights to privacy of their education records and rights of access to their education records. Advisers will not disclose education records of the students to others unless that student has given consent in writing.  For more information about FERPA visit: www.ncsu.edu/legal/legal_topics/ferpa/ferpa_notice.php

Assistance With Accommodations
NC State is dedicated to providing equal opportunity and access for every student. It is important that if you feel you need accommodations for a learning or physical disability that you make your adviser aware of these accommodations. For more information about disability disclosure, please visit: http://ncsu.edu/dso/general/disability_disclosure.html

Other Helpful Resources for Academics/Major Decision:
In addition to advising assistance, students may find additional online resources to assist with their academic and career decision making process.

Ultimately, the college experience you build is your responsibility.
Your adviser will assist by providing information, resources, but you are responsible for planning your individual program and for meeting academic requirements and deadlines.

OASIS Student Ambassadors

The OASIS Student Ambassadors are our campus leaders who assist our advisers with outreach efforts, programs and events. They participate in the NC State Open House, information fairs, visitation days, as well as respond to student questions via our Ask the Pack Frequently Asked Questions database.

If you are interesting in getting involved at NC State, developing connections with current and prospective students and assisting students as they make the transition from high school to the college environment this program is for you.

Students who are interested in applying to be a part of the OASIS Student Ambassador Program may contact Ms. Mindy Sopher at mindy_sopher@ncsu.edu

The Office of Advising Support, Information and Services * 201 Ricks Hall * NCSU Campus Box 7577 * Raleigh, NC 27695-7577 * (919) 513-1723
Questions or Comments? Contact the Director.