Academic Advising
Click here for an Adobe Acrobat PDF file suitable for printing. (877KB)

Introduction

Statement of the faculty of NDSU regarding academic advising

College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources faculty statement regarding academic advising

Glossary of academic terms

Academic advising procedures

Academic advising: faculty goals

Academic advising: faculty responsibilities

Academic advising: rights of students

Academic advising: student responsibilities

Some useful resources

Where to find academic information

Appendix A: Semester time schedule

Appendix B: Cash-flow analysis

Academic success in college is somewhat dependent on intellectual ability, but much more on drive, discipline, and persistence, the same characteristics that lead to success in most endeavors. No one can guarantee success. However, experience suggests that there are many factors that improve the opportunities to succeed in higher education.

The following will contribute significantly to your academic success:

1. Taking advantage of the many resources made available by the college and the university;
2. Choosing a major or subject matter interest early in the college experience;
3. Working with an informed and caring adviser;
4. Attending and actively participating in classes and taking notes;
5. Studying the information as soon as possible after class;
6. Studying the information several times and in several different ways to prepare for examinations;
7. Forming or joining a subject study group;
8. Developing a plan for your education and college experience;
   1. Be disciplined in your approach
   2. Prepare and follow a time management document (Appendix A)
   3. Prepare and monitor a financial analysis for the academic year (Appendix B)
   4. Become active in extra-curricular activities (clubs, student government or community volunteer organizations)
9. Deciding on the value of work experiences and/or internships.

|  TOP  |

|  admissions  |  academic departments  |  academic programs  |  scholarships  |
|  student organizations  |  student success  |  alumni  |

|  Back to the College  |

Statement of the faculty of North Dakota State University regarding academic advising:

"The academic advising program at NDSU is designed to facilitate the student's intellectual and personal growth, to assist students in using university resources, and to guide students in making informed choices regarding academic and career plans."

College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources faculty statement regarding academic advising:

"Advising in the College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources is an important on-going series of events. It stimulates and supports students in their pursuit of an enriched quality of life while they adapt to college and university life and to society as a whole. It is a systematic process based on a close and caring student-faculty adviser relationship. This relationship is intended to guide students to achieve intellectual, educational and professional goals by taking advantage of the full range of institutional and community resources."

|  TOP  |

|  admissions  |  academic departments  |  academic programs  |  scholarships  |
|  student organizations  |  student success  |  alumni  |

|  Back to the College  |

Glossary of Academic Terms

Academic advising - A systematic process based on a close student-faculty adviser relationship intended to help students use the full range of university and community resources to achieve educational, career and personal goals. The advising process both stimulates and supports students in their quest for an enriched quality of life. It also provides guidance for course and program selection.

Adviser’s student academic file - Located in the adviser’s or the departmental office, the file contains important academic information regarding the individual student. Information in the file is accessible to the student upon request.

CampusConnection - An online system for registration and some student records. Links are provided on the NDSU home page (www.ndsu.edu).

Class number - A computer-generated number assigned to a course for registration purposes. It is linked to a subject and catalog number for each course.

Class permit - If a class is closed and no additional sections are available, the department offering the course MAY issue a permit to allow registration provided there is not an active wait list for the closed class. Permits are also required when the class number is not printed in the registration schedule. Wait lists are compiled during registration.

FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) -
A federal act that provides certain rights to students concerning their education records. The primary rights are the right to inspect and review education records, the right to seek to have the records amended and the right to have some control over the disclosure of information from the records.

Student identification number - A computer-generated number which is the student’s permanent identification number at NDSU. It appears on the student ID card and is used in registration and other university transactions. It is helpful to memorize this number.

Office of Registration and Records - In collaboration with the major department, this office manages a centralized academic support center for academic advising on campus. The current Office of Registration and Records liaison for the College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources is Shayla Durick, Ceres Hall 110, phone 231-8718.

Registration appointment - Each term, registration is open first to seniors, then juniors, etc. Check CampusConnection for your appointment time. Hint: terms are four-digit numbers with the first two digits being the year of spring graduation. The third digit is the semester: 1 for fall, 3 is for spring, and 4 is for summer (actually following spring graduation). Term 2 for winter no longer exists. Add a zero for a spacer and you have the term number. For example, fall semester of the 2007-2008 academic year would be number 0810.

Registration hold - A procedure whereby the faculty adviser or selected offices on campus (e.g. Customer Account Services, Student Services, Financial Aid, Registration and Records) can prevent the student from registering. A hold means you need to visit the office that placed the hold or your adviser for information on releasing the hold.

Registration schedule - An online listing of classes taught during the term; available at www.ndsu.edu/registrar.

Tri-College registration - North Dakota State University, Concordia College and Minnesota State University Moorhead allow students to enroll in courses offered at any of the three institutions. Visit your adviser or the Office of Registration and Records for procedures.

Academic advising - A systematic process based on a close student-faculty adviser relationship intended to help students use the full range of university and community resources to achieve educational, career and personal goals. The advising process both stimulates and supports students in their quest for an enriched quality of life.

Adviser's student academic file - Located in the adviser's or the departmental office, the file contains important academic information regarding the individual student. Information in the file is accessible to the student upon request.

Campus Connection - An online source for registration and academic information. Available via the Internet at www.ndsu.edu/registrar. Information on using the system can be found in the registration schedule each semester.

Class number - A computer-generated number assigned to a course for registration purposes.

Class permit - If a class is closed and no additional sections are available, the department offering the course MAY issue a permit to allow registration, provided there is not an active waiting list for the closed class. Permits also are required when the class number is not printed in the registration schedule.

FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) - A federal act that provides certain rights to students concerning their education records. The primary rights are the right to inspect and review education records, the right to seek to have the records amended and the right to have some control over the disclosure of information from the records.

Student Identification Number - A computer-generated number that is the student's permanent identification number at NDSU. It appears on the student ID card and is used in registration and other university transactions. It is helpful to memorize this number.

Office of Registration and Records - In collaboration with the major department, this office manages a centralized academic support center for academic advising on campus. The current Office of Registration and Records liaison for the College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources is Shayla Durick, Ceres Hall 110, phone 231-8718.

On-site registration - A registration option when Campus Connection is not available and/or prior to the start of classes when students may register
at a central location (Industrial Agriculture and Communications Center).

Registration hold - A procedure whereby the faculty adviser or selected offices on campus (e.g., Business, Student Services, Financial Aid, Registration and Records) can prevent the student from registering. A hold means you need to visit the office that placed the hold or your adviser for information on releasing the hold.

Registration schedule - A bulletin published three times a year (fall, spring, summer) contains a schedule of classes taught during the term and detailed information on registration procedures and rules. A current schedule is available online at www.ndsu.edu/registrar.

Tri-College registration - North Dakota State University, Concordia College and Minnesota State University Moorhead allow students to enroll in courses offered at any of the three institutions. Visit your adviser or the Office of Registration and Records for procedures.

|  TOP  |

|  admissions  |  academic departments  |  academic programs  |  scholarships  |
|  student organizations  |  student success  |  alumni  |

|  Back to the College  |

Academic advising procedures

Assignment of faculty advisers - Following admission to North Dakota State University and the selection of an academic program in the College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources, each student is initially assigned a faculty adviser by the department offering the program.

Advisers for students majoring in interdisciplinary programs - Three majors in the College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources draw upon faculty and course work from several departments/colleges. These majors are biotechnology, food safety and natural resources management. Students enrolled in one of these majors will initially be assigned to an adviser by the faculty member who is coordinating the major.

Undecided about major - Students interested in agriculture who have not selected a major area of study should follow the exploratory program in general agriculture. They will be assigned a general agriculture adviser by the faculty member who is coordinating this program. The present coordinator is Dr. David Berryhill, Robinson Hall 133, phone 231-7694.

Double major - Students pursuing two majors will be assigned an adviser in each of the majors. (Double majors require 15 unique credits.)

Ag articulation students - Several North Dakota colleges and universities that offer two-year programs in agriculture have entered into an articulation arrangement with the NDSU College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources that assures a “seamless” transfer by two-year ag students into a four-year ag program at NDSU. Students enrolled in these two-year programs who plan to transfer to NDSU are considered to be enrolled at both the NDSU College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources and their home school. These “dual enrollment” students are assigned an adviser at NDSU in addition to the adviser at their current institution. The coordinator at NDSU is Robert Harrold, Morrill Hall 315D, phone 231-8967.

Meeting with your adviser - When you arrive on campus for orientation or class registration, you will meet with your assigned academic adviser (a faculty member from your major department). Your adviser will assist you in selecting courses to ensure satisfactory progress toward graduation and help interpret university and college policies and requirements. [Click here for a list of responsibilities of College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources faculty advisers.]

If your adviser is unavailable - Occasionally, particularly during the summer, your assigned adviser may not be available due to vacations, field research or other commitments. If your adviser is unavailable, your major department can assign a temporary adviser.

Changing advisers in your major department - It is important that you feel comfortable visiting with your adviser. If you are not satisfied, or if you would prefer an adviser whose academic interests relate more closely to your career goals, find a new adviser! Contact the department for information on selecting a new adviser. Submit an “adviser change” form to the Office of Registration and Records (Ceres 110).

Changing major and department - Talk to your present adviser, then go to the new academic major department for assistance. Submit a “major/minor/adviser change” form to the Office of Registration and Records (Ceres 110).

Changing colleges - Talk to your present adviser then go to Registration and Records, Ceres 110.

Procedures for evaluating the advising process - Students in the College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources will have the opportunity to evaluate their advisers and the advising process through the use of an adviser evaluation form. The form will be available from all faculty advisers in the college and from department offices.

|  TOP  |

|  admissions  |  academic departments  |  academic programs  |  scholarships  |
|  student organizations  |  student success  |  alumni  |

|  Back to the College  |

Academic advising: faculty goals

1. To inspire students to understand their freedom of choice.
2. To encourage students to accept active responsibility for academic progress and planning.
3. To assist students in exploring short-term, intermediate and life-long goals by becoming involved in beneficial educational activities that contribute to a complete university experience.
4. To guide the advisee toward selecting an academic program appropriate to meeting his or her goals.
5. To give students the benefit of the advisers’ expertise in their academic fields.
6. To project ahead as much as the program will allow when helping advisees plan their academic schedules.
7. To provide guidance and referrals for advisees who are having academic problems or other difficulties.

|  TOP  |

|  admissions  |  academic departments  |  academic programs  |  scholarships  |
|  student organizations  |  student success  |  alumni  |

|  Back to the College  |

Academic advising: faculty responsibilities

1. Maintain complete and accurate advisee records and safeguard confidentiality.
2. Get to know advisees as individuals.
3. Create an atmosphere of caring professional concern for advisees.
4. Furnish accurate information regarding academic policies and procedures.
5. Refer advisees to appropriate campus and/or community resources as needed.
6. Help advisees clarify their educational and career goals and objectives.
7. Help advisees develop an appropriate plan of study.
8. Monitor academic decision-making — inform advisees about relevant alternatives, limitations and potential consequences of academic decisions, but allow them to make their own informed decisions.
9. Encourage timely progress toward a degree.
10. Reinforce the concept to advisees that the ultimate responsibility for their academic outcome is the student’s.
11. Provide relevant information on post-undergraduate opportunities, including careers, graduate and professional schools, etc.
12. Provide help or referrals for students with special needs.
13. Advocate ethical and professional conduct in all academic endeavors.
14. Be available for advisees.
15. Serve as a role model.
16. Serve as advisee’s advocate when appropriate.
17. Be aware of the unique needs of advisees.
18. Be a resource for advisees not only in strictly academic matters but, more broadly, in other ways that encourage their intellectual and personal growth.
    
    

|  TOP  |

|  admissions  |  academic departments  |  academic programs  |  scholarships  |
|  student organizations  |  student success  |  alumni  |

|  Back to the College  |

Academic advising: rights of students

1. The right to an adviser who fulfills the North Dakota State University College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources advising goals and responsibilities.
2. The right to timely access to an assigned adviser.
3. The right to protection and review of academic advising-related files and materials in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
4. The right to receive pertinent and accurate information as needed for academic, career and employment planning.
5. The right to request a change of academic adviser assignment.
6. The right to clear procedures for communicating opinions about the quality of advising help provided.
7. The right to make one’s own decisions.

|  TOP  |

|  admissions  |  academic departments  |  academic programs  |  scholarships  |
|  student organizations  |  student success  |  alumni  |

|  Back to the College  |

Academic advising: student responsibilities

1. Make an effort to get to know the adviser.
2. Maintain an academic advising and career planning file.
3. Know the degree requirements and other relevant academic policies and procedures.
4. Complete academic requirements in a timely manner.
5. Initiate timely career and academic inquiries and discussions with adviser.
6. Make regular progress appointments and also see adviser for assistance when questions or problems arise.
7. Prepare a list of questions or concerns prior to meeting with the adviser.
8. Prepare a list of desired and alternative courses prior to meeting with the adviser.
9. Be considerate of your adviser: schedule advising appointments, whenever possible, and arrive promptly.
10. Take responsibility for your decisions.

|  TOP  |

|  admissions  |  academic departments  |  academic programs  |  scholarships  |
|  student organizations  |  student success  |  alumni  |

|  Back to the College  |

Resources

Some useful resources

Sorting through the academic information at the university to find the best way to accomplish your goal of graduation requires an effort on your part and the assistance of your adviser.

Using an academic planning calendar is a good way to keep track of classes, exams, appointments, meetings, etc. Several calendar styles and sizes are available at the university bookstore. [A simple weekly planning form is provided in Appendix A; feel free to photocopy it].

Also helpful are the following university publications which explain rules, regulations and other academic information. Check with the Office of Registration and Records, Ceres 110, for distribution information and obtain a current copy of each for your personal library or access the information at www.ndsu.edu/registrar.

North Dakota State University Bulletin

Contains academic rules and regulations, descriptions of departments, program requirements, a list and description of all courses offered at the university, the current academic calendar and the names of the faculty. Revised every two years. Academic policies also available online at www.ndsu.edu/registrar.

Registration Schedule

An online schedule is maintained at www.ndsu.edu/registrar.

Academic Dates and Deadlines

A handy pocket-size list of important academic dates and deadlines.

|  TOP  |

|  admissions  |  academic departments  |  academic programs  |  scholarships  |
|  student organizations  |  student success  |  alumni  |

|  Back to the College  |

Where To Find Academic Information

Helpful Web Sites

Registration and Records - www.ndsu.edu/registrar
Career Center - www.ndsu.edu/career_center
Student Activities Office - http://mu.ndsu.edu/student_activities_office
College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources - www.ag.ndsu.edu/academics
Student Financial Services - www.ndsu.edu/finaid
TRIO Program - www.ndsu.edu/trio
Orientation and Student Success - www.ndsu.edu/student_success
Customer Account Services - www.ndsu.edu/business_office
Counseling and Disability Services - www.ndsu.edu/counseling
Student Support Services - www.ndsu.edu/trio
Technology Learning Center - www.ndsu.edu/tlc
Center for Writers - www.ndsu.edu/cfwriters
Bison Connection - www.ndsu.edu/bisonconnection

|  TOP  |

|  admissions  |  academic departments  |  academic programs  |  scholarships  |
|  student organizations  |  student success  |  alumni  |

|  Back to the College  |

Appendix A

Semester Time Schedule

Make sure you schedule study time for the week. Suggested weekly minimum study time:

One-credit class — study two hours per week

Two-credit class — study three hours per week

Three-credit class — study five hours per week

|  TOP  |

|  admissions  |  academic departments  |  academic programs  |  scholarships  |
|  student organizations  |  student success  |  alumni  |

|  Back to the College  |

Appendix B

Cash Flow Analysis

Academic year__________________________ 
Name___________________________________  
Local bank_____________________________ 

Income                           
 Salary           ______________
 Dividends        ______________
 Interest         ______________
 Financial aid    ______________
 Other income     ______________

Total             ______________

Fixed Expenses                  
 Tuition          ______________
 Room             ______________
 Board            ______________
 Books            ______________
 Supplies         ______________           
 Fees: 
  Matriculation   ______________
  (one-time fee)
  Lab/instruction ______________
  Parking         ______________
  Photo I.D.      ______________
  (one-time fee)
  Residence hall 
  deposit         ______________           
  (one-time fee) 
  Student health  ______________
  Technology      ______________
 Other            ______________

Total             ______________

Variable Expenses 
 Clothing           ____________
 Laundry/cleaning   ____________
 Personal care      ____________
 Entertainment      ____________
 Travel/gasoline    ____________
 Recreation         ____________
 Gifts              ____________
 Health care        ____________
 Personal allowance ____________
 Snacks/beverages   ____________
 Other              ____________

 Total              ____________


 Total Income       ____________

 Total Expenses     ____________

 Balance (+/-)      ____________

|  TOP  |

|  admissions  |  academic departments  |  academic programs  |  scholarships  |
|  student organizations  |  student success  |  alumni  |

|  Back to the College  |