Advising Relationship
The advising relationship is a significant element of the teaching and learning process. We recognize that advising happens in many venues, and students are encouraged to seek out and establish relationships across the university in support of their academic and professional goals. However, it is within the advising relationship where students will craft their academic objectives, identify and complete program requirements, and develop career aspirations and goals. Because one of the critical foundations of good advising is that it is a shared endeavor, Lesley University has clarified the roles and responsibilities of advisees and advisors.
Responsibilities of the Advisee
- Clarify personal values, abilities, and goals.
- Recognize that although advising is a shared responsibility, final responsibility for all decisions rests with the student.
- Become knowledgeable of academic, professional, and licensure requirements.
- Become knowledgeable of support systems provided by the university (e.g., Disability Services, Center for Academic Achievement, the Counseling Center, etc.) and use them when appropriate.
- Familiarize yourself with your student handbook.
- Maintain consistent and timely communication with your advisor.
- Maintain an advising portfolio containing such paperwork as: all education plans; updated printout of your web transcript; program of study for the year you entered; updated checklist of general education and/or program requirements; and any other materials central to your academic life at Lesley. (NOTE: Your advisor may have all these materials, but we strongly recommend that you maintain your own files.)
- Follow through on actions identified during each advising session.
- Monitor academic progress towards completion of academic and professional requirements.
- Take initiative in building a professional and academic network and seeking out knowledgeable peers, faculty, and professionals in exploring academic and career options.
Responsibilities of the Advisor
The following advisor responsibilities form the core standards for the advising relationship at Lesley University.
- Establish strong, caring, and trusting relationships to ensure effective communication between advisors and students.
- Develop deep knowledge of program requirements and university systems, and review departmental requirements with students as they explore potential academic directions.
- Ensure that students take the appropriate courses required in their programs of study, documenting student files with all information related to their academic credits, including substitutions, waivers, and transfer credit approval information.
- Be proactive with the Registrar, Financial Aid, Bursar, the Offices of the Deans, and the Academic Advising Center (undergraduate) to resolve questions and issues related to student audits and completion of program requirements.
- Monitor advisees' academic performance and discuss academic performance and the implications of academic performance.
- Refer students to professional campus resources when appropriate (for example, the Counseling Center, the Career Resource Center, administrative offices (e.g., Financial Aid), and the Center for Academic Achievement.
- Encourage students to begin planning for their careers by helping them clarify their career goals. Explore advisee interests, abilities, and plans and relate them to academic planning.
- Encourage students to form connections and develop relationships with and engage advisors, teachers, and other university personnel and professionals in their field.
- Develop advisees into active alumni, and help students develop an understanding of the importance of continuing relationships with the university post-graduation.
(developed by the Academic Advising Task Force, Lesley University, May, 2007)