B-2: THE NATURE OF THE UNIVERSITY ADVISING PROGRAM

Senate Policy:  32-20, The Nature of the University Advising Program

Senate Policy 32-20 prescribes the nature of the University's advising program, with each academic unit to establish an academic advising system designed to meet the goals (Senate Policy 32-00) of: helping advisees identify and achieve their academic goals; promoting intellectual discovery; and encouraging students to take advantage of both in- and out-of-class educational opportunities and to become self-directed learners and decision-makers.

The unit's academic advising system is to address nine elements: policy, structure, support, training, delivery, first-year students, frequency of consultations, recognition and reward, and assessment.

Procedure:

1. Each academic unit is to develop its own advising program, consistent with the University Faculty Senate's policy.
2. Descriptions of the academic unit's advising program and instructions on how students and advisers are to use it are to be part of the unit's orientation for new faculty and students and should be readily available in Web- and paper-based publications.
3. Colleges delivering programs through the World Campus may delegate responsibility for primary academic advising of the college's students to the World Campus. A memo of understanding between the college and the World Campus must be executed to implement the delegation of responsibility and must carry the signature of the authorizing college, the academic unit with responsibility for the program, the World Campus, and the Office of the Vice President and Dean of Undergraduate Education. Copies of the memos of understanding will be kept on file in the Office of Undergraduate Education.
4. A college, or a commonwealth campus, or the Division of Undergraduate Studies at University Park, may delegate primary responsibility for the advising of its students who, although not enrolled in World Campus programs, change their campus designation to World Campus to enroll in courses delivered through the World Campus. A memo of understanding between World Campus and the college, or the commonwealth campus, or the Division of Undergraduate Studies must be executed to implement the delegation of responsibility. The memo must carry the signature of the authorizing college, or commonwealth campus, or the Division of Undergraduate Studies, as well as the World Campus and the Office of the Vice President and Dean of Undergraduate Education. Copies of the memos of understanding will be kept on file in the Office of Undergraduate Education.

Approved: ACUE (4-2-98)

Revised: Editorial (5-25-10)

Revised: ACUE (6-3-10)

The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. Please consult a Penn State academic adviser for more detailed information. Penn State is an affirmative action, equal opportunity university.