The Daily Bulletin Archive

The ACT Advising Survey administered this spring to 1,456 Buffalo State students revealed an alarming statistic: 50 percent of students reported meeting with their advisers only once or not at all during the past year—well below national norms. But it is hoped that the success of the new course-registration process for first-year students, introduced last summer, will improve the advisement experience for students and faculty alike.

Last summer, nearly two-thirds of incoming first-year students returned questionnaires by late June indicating which classes they would like to take—weeks before the first orientation sessions began, according to Scott Johnson, interim dean of University College. Students were then given a proposed schedule of classes; few made changes before the start of the fall semester.

“With the success of the preregistration process, faculty this semester now have a unique opportunity to take a more ‘teaching’ approach to advisement,” Johnson said. “We got rid of much of the angst with the technical process of registration and helped first-year students get the classes they needed.”

“The process helped students to look at their schedule and really think about it, helping them focus and ask more of the ‘why’ questions now,” added Doug Koritz, assistant dean of intellectual foundations. “The purpose was to enable better advising starting this semester. Advisement used to focus more on the mechanics of registration, but now hopefully will allow departments to better weave students into their majors.”

Andrew Nicholls, associate professor of history and social studies education, thinks the 2008 summer orientation marked a new beginning for incoming first-year students. He assisted students with advisement during the summer.

“The students I advised were much better informed about a range of topics, including Intellectual Foundations requirements, the logistics of registering and changing courses, and approaching their major programs,” Nicholls said. “Surprisingly, I heard very little carping about class times or selections.”

Amy McMillan, assistant professor of biology, also experienced the preregistration process and advised students during the summer.

“I never had the time in past summer advising sessions to talk to students about important things like what they need to do if they want to get into medical school,” she said. “This time, I actually had more fun advising than I ever had, even with having more students compared to previous years. I felt I could enthusiastically talk about the Biology Department and its programs rather than focus on the courses the students must take right now and how to register.”

The ACT Advising Survey, administered for the first time this spring, found the two most often-cited topics students reported not discussing with their advisers were finding a job after college (41 percent) and continuing their education after graduation (34 percent).

Emma McFayden, assistant director of recruitment and retention with the Arthur O. Eve Educational Opportunity Program and a 2008 recipient of the President’s Awardfor Excellence in Academic Advisement, said that advisement should not be a “one-shot deal.”

“Students should remember their advisers long after their college careers are over,” McFayden said. “Effective advisement enhances graduation, promotes internships, graduate assistantships, and job placement.”

Lori Till, associate professor of hospitality and tourism and a fellow recipient of the President’s Award with McFayden, says the best advisement “can’t be accomplished on your own.” She said she continues to develop relationships with the Admissions Office, Registrar’s Office, and Academic Standards Office to deliver timely and knowledgeable help to students.

“We’re all in this together, and advisement has a big impact on a student’s perception of the college,” Till said. “Faculty should take advisement seriously and not think of it as a chore. It’s an opportunity for us to get to know students as individuals, not just people sitting in our classes.”