The Advising Syllabus

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© 2012 National Academic Advising Association

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The Global Community for Academic Advising

Lauren CampbellUniversity of Texas at Austin

lcampbell@austin.utexas.edu

The Global Community for Academic Advising

Purpose of an Advising Syllabus

• Outlines the advising relationship

• States student learning outcomes

• Defines academic advising for students and other stakeholders

• Creates conversation

• Prompts questions

What should a syllabus include?

The Global Community for Academic Advising

The Global Community for Academic Advising

Syllabus Components

• Advising Mission

• Definition of Academic Advising

• Contact information- Name - E-mail

- Location - Website

- Office Hours - Phone Number

• Disability Accommodation Statement

The Global Community for Academic Advising

Components Continued

• Student Learning Outcomes• Student and Advisor Responsibilities• Timeline/Semester Calendar• Policies and Procedures

- Cancellation Policy

- Attendance Policy

- Progression Standards

- Withdrawal Policy

- Add/Drop Procedures

- Grading System

- Appeals Policy

The Global Community for Academic Advising

Components Continued

• Resources

- Required Texts

+ Catalog

+ Advising Guide

+ Particular Web Sites

- Web Pages: Tutoring Center, Writing Center, Career Center

- Early Alert

- Registration Information

- Final Exam Schedule

- Financial Aid

- Scholarships

- Involvement Opportunities

The Global Community for Academic Advising

Utilizing the Syllabus• Educating others about academic advising

- In what ways will you share the syllabus?

• Creating consistency within the department/division/campus

- Appointment protocol

- Revisiting creates multiple swipes

• Training tool for new advisors or peer advisors

• Assisting students in the planning process

The Global Community for Academic Advising

How To Start Creating One• Does your institution have a template/guide?

• Departmental, Divisional or Institutional Document?

• Create a working group – include relevant stakeholders

• Converse about components and possible use

• Create a “first attempt”

• Feedback and edits create ownership

• Solicit student review

• Agree to review on a regular basis

The Global Community for Academic Advising

The First Attempt• Start with what you know now and add as you move forward

• Now-Contact Information

-Timeline

-Resources

-Disability Accommodation Statement

-Policies and Procedures

• During/After the Institute-Mission statement

-Student Learning Outcomes

-Student/Advisor Responsibilities

• On Campus-Identify your working group

-Start conversations

-Continue development

-Make it available for feedback and use

The Global Community for Academic Advising

Syllabus Benefits

• Tool for creating discussion- Centered on student learning and

advising

• Creates a central location for academic advising information

• Makes us accountable too!

• Guides first and future appointments

• 24/7 access for students

• Helps keep assessment alive

• Easily updatable

• Familiar format

The Global Community for Academic Advising

Examples• UT Austin Bridging Disciplines Programs document

• UT Austin McCombs School of Business (yearly goals)

• Boise State University (academic calendar)

• College of Charleston (policies)

• University of Louisville (print style)

Syllabi available via NACADA Clearinghouse

The Global Community for Academic Advising

Possible Challenges• Finding a distribution method• Challenge to institutionalize the use of an advising syllabus • Advisors may be seen as inappropriately co-opting the syllabus

format.• Consequences for students to adhere to expectations are difficult to

articulate.• Difficult to find a balance between including everything students

need to know about advising and the most vital information.• Difficult to assess the efficacy of an advising syllabus

Trabant, T.D. (2006). Advising Syllabus 101. Retrieved from NACADA Clearinghouse of Academic Advising Resources Web site:

http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/Clearinghouse/AdvisingIssues/syllabus101.htm.

The Global Community for Academic Advising

Assessing a Syllabus

Brainstorm ideas

The Global Community for Academic Advising

Resources

• Trabant, T.D. (2006). Advising Syllabus 101. Retrieved –January 4, 2011- from NACADA Clearinghouse of Academic Advising Resources Web site:

http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/Clearinghouse/AdvisingIssues/syllabus101.htm

• Advising Syllabus Examples. Retrieved – January 4, 2012 from NACADA Clearinghouse of Academic Advising Resources Web site:

http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/Clearinghouse/Links/syllabi.htm

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