Penn State Beaver: Academic Advising

Academic Advising

What is academic advising?

"Academic advising is teaching. As an activity, its intention is to maximize student understanding and use of Penn State resources. Frequent and constructive interaction between adviser and advisee is essential to promote the students’ educational goal."

— Recommendations for Academic Advising at Penn State Beaver, Spring 1993

What are the responsibilities of advisers and advisees?

To protect the rights and responsibilities of both student and faculty, the adviser neither grants nor denies administrative approval. The student must assume final responsibility for the successful completion of all graduation requirements.

The Adviser’s Role

To understand University procedures and the academic concerns of students

To understand the expected standards of achievement and the student’s likelihood of success

To discuss suitable career objectives as demonstrated by student abilities and interests

To plan a course of study and advise about courses, adjustments, prerequisites, etc.

To refer students to other resources when appropriate

To keep informed and current regarding the specific college and department

The Advisee’s Role

To acquire information for course scheduling, program planning, and graduation requirements

To seek academic and career information needed to meet educational goals

To become knowledgeable about University and college policies, procedures, rules, etc.

To be prepared with accurate and relevant materials when meeting with the adviser

To consult with the adviser at least once a semester

What’s new in advising at Penn State?

e-Lion is an expert-based, empirically grounded advising and information system delivered via the Internet. It was created to supplement student / adviser relationships and to engage students in interactive inquiry for informed educational planning.

e-Lion provides students with a variety of services that include providing each student with the name of his / her adviser, an update on the student's cumulative grade-point average (GPA), exploring majors, and the ability to drop and add courses and / or withdraw from the University. More options will be added to e-Lion in an ongoing effort to provide students with the best possible service and information.

To learn more about e-Lion, please visit http://www.elion.psu.edu/.
To learn more about advising, please visit http://www.psu.edu/advising/

For more information, please contact:

Gretchen Samchuck
Coordinator, Division of Undergraduate Studies
Penn State Beaver
102 Ross Administration Building
724-773-3677