UTSA UNDERGRADUATE

ACADEMIC ADVISING 

STUDENT/ADVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES

UTSA has a strong commitment to your success.   Freshmen of all colleges are assisted by the Colleges’ Freshman Advising Center.   Once freshmen become sophomores, they seek advisement from the college of their major. Each college has professional, full-time academic advisors. Each center has scheduled appointment times or walk-in times for assisting students.

The advisors have a Statement of Core Values that outlines, among many things, the responsibilities of students and advisors in the advising process.   We encourage you to read this before meeting with your advisor.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES IN ADVISING:

•  Students will know the names and office locations of their advisors.

•  Students will have their catalogues of graduation and will read them before seeing the advisor.

•  Students will come to the advising session prepared to ask questions and to write down the answers.

•  Students will keep all copies of degree plans, forms, and advising notes and bring them to the advising session.

•  Students will show respect for other students and not interrupt advising sessions.

•  Students will show respect for advisors and not come late to appointments. If unable to attend an appointment, students will cancel the appointment in advance of the scheduled time.

•  Students will take advantage of the opportunity to talk with a professional advisor even though students have talked with other students.

•  Students will seek help from advisors and/or faculty before the end of the term.

•  Students will read the Student Code of Conduct and will display acceptable behaviors.

•  Students who choose to self-advise will consider reviewing their academic progress with advisors at least two semesters before their expected graduation term.

•  Students will review any documents or plans that the advisors give them against the catalog and curriculum requirements and will bring any errors found immediately to the advisors’ attention.

•  Students will accept responsibility for their own degree progress and the consequences of their decisions.

•  Students will share information with advisors about educational and career goals, report any learning problems and tell advisors about experiences of academic success and failure. This information will help the advisors help the students.

•  Students will request another advisor if not getting the needed assistance.

•  Students will not wait until they are in academic trouble to seek advising assistance
Students will periodically check to see if any changes have been made in class scheduling or requirements

YOUR ADVISOR’S RESPONSIBILITIES

•  Advisors will listen to students’ concerns and discuss options that are appropriate for them.

•  Advisors will provide accurate, up-to-date information about the requirements for the student’s degree and major.

•  Advisors shall keep abreast of changing requirements and procedures.

•  If uncertain about a question or course of action, advisors shall immediately attempt to contact an appropriate knowledgeable person in order to determine the correct course of action.

•  Advisors will assist students with registration under special circumstances.

•  Advisors will provide guidance and make referrals for students choosing majors and seeking career information.

•  Advisors will articulate the university policies and guidelines in a way that students understand the intent and applicability to the special circumstance.

•  Advisors will advocate to faculty and administration for student concerns that impede their learning and/or degree progress.

•  Advisors will be reasonably accessible by appointment, walk-in, telephone and electronic mail.

•  Advisors will act as a referral agent to university support services.

•  Advisors will respect confidentiality of records and interactions with students.

•  Advisors will know the requirements of The Buckley Amendment.

•  Advisors will resolve student conflicts or apprise the immediate supervisor of situations that may escalate.

•  Advisors will use tact and diplomacy when dealing with students.