The Academic Advising Center’s Student Advisory Board (SAB) will host three walk-in hours this week to answer students’ questions about the fall 2014 registration, majors and minors, or any other academic topics.
With only one month of classes left before finals, it’s once again time to start thinking about next semester. The faculty advising period began last week and students can set up a time to meet with their advisors to obtain their degree audits and registration codes. As always, students can find information about their advisor through Agora Portal.
With its walk-in hours, SAB aims to offer students another forum to discuss any questions they might have about courses and their academic paths.
“The walk-in hours are not meant to replace student meetings with their assigned academic advisors,” said Samantha Sklar, co-chair of SAB and LSOE ’14, in an email. “They are meant to encourage students who have been reluctant or too busy to go to departments, faculty, or advisors to begin to ask questions they have about majors, minors, or courses.”
The fall 2014 registration period begins on April 8. The Class of 2015 will register from April 8-9; the Class of 2016 will register from April 10-11; and rising sophomores will register from April 14-15. Students can find their registration time under the “Academic Advisor” tab in Agora. Once students register they can add or drop courses online until Sept. 10.
SAB has hosted a number of other events this year, including a fall panel for freshmen to hear upperclassmen discuss their academic journeys, and a Major Exploration Week earlier this semester.
The sessions will be run by students from SAB, something that the board hopes will facilitate a relaxed environment, but staff from the Academic Advising Center will also be available to answer any more technical questions that students might have.
“The sessions are aimed at addressing whatever questions students have,” Sklar said. “Students tend to trust other students’ stories or recommendations and feel more comfortable when a direct referral to a faculty, advisor, or center is made.”
The first session will be on Monday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.; the second will be on Tuesday at the same time; and the final session will be held on Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. All sessions will be held in Stokes S139.
“We hope that the students who come to the walk-in hours will leave knowing that there are many great resources on campus for them to turn to-including the Academic Advising Center, their own advisors, and us,” said Sklar.
“We also hope that the students will leave with more clarity than they came.”
In addition to a student’s faculty advisor, the Academic Advising Center is available to answer students’ academic related questions. Its website offers information about advising, general degree and core requirements, and lists other resources for students.
The center also holds regular events throughout the semester. Professors and Pastries is a weekly series that allows students to meet informally with faculty, advisors, and other professionals.
This is the first time SAB will hold walk-in hours. Sklar said the board will review the outcome once all sessions end.
“Sometimes all a student needs is a slight bump in the right direction or to learn about a resource that can help them,” she said.
“Sometimes a student needs a listening ear to discuss their own academic experiences and ideas. We hope to be flexible and help the students who come with whatever they need.”
