Faculty Advising Resources

Academic Advising at Shippensburg University

It is understood that, "Good advising programs do not just happen. They are the result of carefully developed institutional plans and commitments to improving advising service for students" (Noel-Levitz). Therefore, the Advisor Development Program at Shippensburg University is modeled after the core values, standards and guidelines established by the National ACademic ADvising Association (NACADA) and the Council for the Advancement of Standards (CAS).

Shippensburg University is a collective bargaining institution. According to the terms of the bargaining agreement, academic advising is a faculty responsibility. Therefore, the framework for delivering advising services to students is a faculty-only, decentralized model. However, counseling assistants, under the close supervision of faculty advisors, do provide informational assistance to students. All students are assigned to an academic advisor. Students with a declared major are advised by a faculty member assigned by their academic department. Students who have not declared a major are assigned an advisor through the Office of Undeclared Students. The advising load and process of assigning advisees are determined by each academic department. The campus-wide Advising Development Program is coordinated by the Coordinator of Developmental Education and Advising Development.

Academic Advising Mission Statement

Academic advising at Shippensburg University is a joint endeavor that complements the educational goals of the university by working with and empowering students to obtain appropriate academic information, to develop educational and career goals, to learn the skills needed for academic success, and to access the variety of resources and services available to them.

Effective advising is an educational process designed to empower students to take responsibility for obtaining appropriate academic information and developing educational and career goals. Advisors help students maximize their educational experience by explaining university policies and graduation requirements, assisting students develop educational, professional, and personal goals, referring students to campus resources, and guiding students in making important decisions that can save time, effort, and money. The advising process further assists students in locating and effectively using on- and off-campus resources, and in developing a holistic view of the University experience.

Advising is a partnership in which the advisor and the student have responsibilities. It is the advisor's responsibility to be knowledgeable about the university programs and services; to know the requirements of the General Education Program, as well as the general major requirements; to be available at scheduled times; to assist with academic concerns; and, to give accurate information.

It is the students' responsibility to know their advisor's office hours; to make and keep advising appointments; to prepare questions and bring any appropriate materials or concerns to the advising meetings; and, to see their advisor whenever they have questions.

The goal for the SU advising development program is continuous quality improvement. In spring 2000, the university's president charged the dean of the School of Academic Programs and Services with the task of improving advisement campus-wide. This commitment led to the formation of the Advisor Development & Resource Team (ADRT) that serves as a coordinating body to promote quality advising campus-wide and to create programs and services that assist faculty in their advising role. The ADRT produces materials that help increase awareness of the importance of academic advising and sponsors advisor development workshops and activities every semester to help faculty develop the skills and competencies they need to be effective advisors. All academic departments are encouraged to designate a representative to serve on the team.

Academic Advising -Working together to insure the success of Shippensburg University, its students and faculty!