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Department of English

Home > Undergraduate Studies > Advising : What is the Adviser's Role?

What is the Adviser's Role?

  • Know student advisees and have access to current and appropriate student files.
  • Provide students with current information about University, college, and departmental graduation requirements for the student's selected degree program.
  • Know each student well enough to realize individual needs and how these needs affect the student's educational career goals.
  • Assist students in developing a course of study, including electives selection, which reflects course prerequisites and each student's individualized academic background and educational goals.
  • Inform students of alternatives to and possible consequences of academic decisions and encourage student/adviser review of degree progress to ensure early detection of problems.
  • Refer students to available campus resources to meet individual needs.
  • Review, verify, and sign the Degree Progress Report and Clearance for Graduation. This is a function of the CLA adviser specifically—refer the student to CLA Advising or or the University Honors Program.
bev atkinson

Academic adviser Beverly Atkinson

"Participating in the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) was one of the most defining experiences of my undergraduate education. The project introduced me to a network and community of resources that broadened my knowledge of the value and practice of research. . . . Perhaps the most empowering part of the project, however, was eventually realizing that others were genuinely interested in what I thought and said, and that it is never too early to begin asking questions." 

Mark A.