Advising is an integral part of the University’s educational mission. A successful and productive advising/mentoring relationship is a partnership that entails intentional collaboration between the student and their advisor/mentor.

The advising and mentoring relationship should not only allow the student to meet academic degree requirements but promote the student’s engagement in both curricular and co-curricular opportunities that promote their full learning and development.

Advisee Responsibilities

• Embrace ownership of your academic journey.  Take responsibility and advocate for your own personal success.
• Learn, know, and follow University academic requirements, school/college requirements, and major requirements.
• Take initiative that allows you to identify your strengths, talents, and interests.
• Plan a program of study and co-curricular activities in support of these strengths, talents, and interests.
• Learn about the curricular, co-curricular, and career resources that the University offers.
• Review your Student Admin record regularly, especially your Advisement Report (“Academic Requirements” in the drop down menu in the Student Center), which provides details on requirements met and not yet met.
• Communicate regularly with and schedule appointments with your assigned academic advisor.
• Be professional in your communications and actions with your advisors and mentors. Address faculty and staff with their formal titles and be respectful of their time.
• Be prepared for your meeting with your advisor, entering your meetings with a list of topics and questions that you hope to address.

Note: If you have questions that your advisor cannot answer, please contact your School/College Advising Center.

Advisor Responsibilities

• Know and understand University requirements, school/college requirements, and major requirements in your field. This may require consultation with the School/College Advising Center and/or the Office of the Registrar.
• Support students in a process of self-assessment to identify their individual strengths, talents, and interests.
• Assist students in developing meaningful educational plans, including identification of relevant experiential learning and co-curricular activities.
• Be familiar with critical campus resources and refer students to campus partners and resources when appropriate.
• Be accessible on a regular basis, through office hours, email, or phone.
• Remain fair and equitable while maintaining a safe and non‐discriminatory advising space for all advisees.
• Maintain confidentiality. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) restricts the sharing of students’ information to “school officials with legitimate educational interest.” Anyone else wishing to have access to a student’s records, such as parents or guardians, must have the student submit a release form (submitted within Student Admin) before any information about the student’s academic record can be shared.
• Embrace the core values of academic advising, as conceptualized by NACADA (NACADA Core Values).

 

No single advisor has expertise in all the areas a student may wish to explore.

• Students should consult with a wide range of faculty and staff at UConn who may be able to advise them on the many opportunities available as a student, such as education abroad, research, internships, leadership and service, career development, and graduate school.
• See Academic and Other Support and Opportunities for further information.