Students remain skeptical of academic advisers Jennifer Webb
Contributor
As students prepare to meet with their advisers and plan their summer or fall term classes, some remain skeptical of the advice they expect to receive. One such student is Sarah Johnson, sophomore in geology and environmental studies. “I have had several occasions where I’ve gone in there knowing exactly what classes I’ve needed to take because I know how to read a majors catalog,” Johnson said. “I’ve had them suggest classes to me that were so off topic. When I tell them the classes I’ve planned, one guy said ‘Oh, yeah, you’re right. That would make more sense.’” Every year, UT surveys students on their experience with undergraduate advising and compiles the data into the Undergraduate Advising Final Evaluation Report. Of the 21,033 students emailed, 1,704 chose to participate in the most recent survey. The results concluded that the advising departments’ weaknesses were: not returning phone calls and emails, rushed appointments, lack of empathy and lack of structure. Student responders also suggested hiring more advisers and encouraging them to create better connections with their students. Ruth Darling, assistant provost of the Student Success Center, said that confusion and miscommunication between both parties—student and adviser— are usually to blame for advising appointments gone awry. The problem she sees most often, Darling said, is students being advised to take courses they don’t need to graduate. “When you go back and look at the advising meeting notes, when the student came through orientation, they were undecided between these three majors,” Darling explained. “So, to keep all doors open, the adviser said ‘Go ahead and let’s get in this math class because then if you decide on this major, you’re on your way.’” If that student later decides on a different major, they realize that the advised course was a waste of time, money or credit. Darling said students must remember, however, that advisers are trying to keep as many pathways open for students as possible.
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See ADVISORS on Page 3
Volume 128 Issue 41
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Tuesday, March 10, 2015