4.4 | Academic Advising

4.4.1 | Academic Advising for Students

General Policies

During their enrollment at SU, students will be primarily advised by officers of the Student and Parent Advisory Center (SPAC), due to the specific General Education requirements that comprise their coursework and will guide their study plan. Specific course plans for all four years are developed by Study Programs to ensure that program learning objectives are achieved through both General Education and coursework in the majors. SPAC advisors will recommend and approve courses for each student prior to registration, according to program course plans.

Each Study Program will assign academic mentors to guide students as they pursue their major, embark on internships, and prepare for graduation. Mentors will meet with students more frequently during the third and fourth years of study but are encouraged to hold informational sessions each semester during all four years to familiarize majors with the expectations, challenges, and opportunities of the Study Program.

Faculty mentors will be appointed and dismissed by the Dean of each department, based on the suggestion and recommendation from the Head of Study Program. A faculty mentor can be assigned a maximum of 20 (twenty) students concurrently, though the assignments may be customized in accordance with Faculty and Program needs.

Starting in the Fall of 2022, Faculty Mentors will no longer approve course selection for registration, unless student placement or course availability require deviation from the approved program course plan.

Function of the Faculty Mentor

1. Deliver information to students about the education system and academic administration at the University, Faculty, and Study Program;
2. Provide specific subject guidance to students in determining the overall study plan at the beginning of the study;
3. Provide explanations and advice to students regarding the learning process;
4. Provide sufficient time for consultation with students at least once each semester during the first two years, and more frequently during the third and fourth years;
5. Monitor and evaluate the learning performance/ achievements of assigned students in collaboration with the Student Success unit, and report regularly at the end of each semester to the Head of Study Program to be forwarded to the Dean;
6. Provide advice to students with declining performance and make appropriate referrals to student support services when warranted. These include the Tutoring Center, the Counseling Center, the Writing Center, among others.
7. Monitor the progress of each advisee’s performance to determine if support interventions have been effective; report student status to the Head of Program and to the Dean of Student Success as warranted.

Scope of the Mentor’s Role

1. Provide advice related to the direction of students’ study plans;
2. Assist students in choosing and planning their program of study in the early stages of enrollment to determine if their abilities match the demands of the program and their goals are realistic;
3. Assist in solving problems related to educational effectiveness;
4. Acknowledge any student complaints in relation to lecturers, program, teaching process and other academic related matters/problems; and
5. Acknowledge any student complaints in relation to lecturers, program, teaching process and other academic related matters/problems; and
6. Provide regular and scheduled consultations each semester, particularly toward the students’ program completion.

Responsibilities

1. Follow all applicable academic regulations and code of conduct;
2. Provide reports to the Head of Study Program regarding:
   1. Problems or issues of students under supervision; and
   2. All suggestions/complaints delivered by the students;
3. Make appropriate referrals to academic support units (such as the Tutoring Center, Counseling, etc.) when warranted.

Maximum Credit Load for Students

In planning coursework with students, advisors should be aware of the prescribed workload. First year students may not enroll in more than 18 credit hours; students in the second, third, or fourth year may enroll in courses up to the maximum credit hour limit based upon their GPA or other considerations based upon their performance. Maximum number of credits that can be taken will be based on the GPA:

Related Policy:

• Advising Policy