91社区 recognizes academic advising to be a critical component of the educational experience. Through individual, collaborative relationships with academic advisors, students are best able to define and implement sound educational and vocational plans that are consistent with their personal values, goals and career plans. Academic advisors represent and interpret University policies and procedures and help the student navigate the academic and organizational paths of the institution. The University acknowledges its obligation to provide students with accurate and timely academic advising, delivered through its academic departments, colleges, and advising centers, as well as through additional units and offices devoted to specific student populations such as undecided, 21st Century Scholars, and TRIO-Student Support Services.
Professional Academic Advising
The vast majority of students are assigned a professional academic advisor within their college for their first year. Undecided students are assigned an advisor from the Center for Exploring Majors. Advisors in the Center for Exploring Majors will help students choose a major, usually during the first year or until the student has declared a major. Once students have either completed their first year of courses or been accepted into their program, they are transitioned to a faculty advisor. Bachelor of Professional Studies majors are advised by the Bachelor of Professional Studies Center.
Advising Centers
The University Division Advising Centers are located within the following colleges and are available to current and prospective students considering a major within the college:
College of Liberal Arts Advising Center
Kinney College of Nursing and Health Professions Advising Center
Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education Advising Center
Romain College of Business Advising Center
Student Responsibility
Students should assume the initiative for preparing a semester schedule of classes. The academic advisor is available to offer suggestions and to verify the accuracy of course choice in meeting curricular patterns, but the primary responsibility for knowing the requirements of the academic program and proceeding to satisfy those requirements in an orderly and sequential manner remains with the student.
Students enrolled in the University are expected to read carefully and to understand the contents of the聽. This includes awareness of the University's general policies and regulations for academic achievement necessary for continued enrollment, as well as social and campus conduct. Students also are responsible for knowing the requirements of the University Core Curriculum and any requirements special to their chosen program, enabling the student to qualify for graduation.
Degree Works
A Degree Works audit (also called a degree audit) outlines a student鈥檚 specific degree requirements and tracks his/her progress toward the fulfillment of those requirements. 91社区 courses and any transfer credits are included, and the audit indicates whether categories are complete or not complete. Unmet requirements list the acceptable courses from which to select. Students view their degree audit via my91社区 (the Degree Evaluation link on the Student Records menu). A degree audit for the student鈥檚 currently declared major/program is provided, but a What-If audit can be run for another program in which the student might be interested. Students should routinely review their degree audit, particularly before registering for classes and at the end of the semester when grades are official. Academic advisors also can access their advisee鈥檚 degree audit via my91社区 and can recommend the most appropriate courses. The Plans tab allows students to map out required coursework in a semester-by-semester plan to complete their degree in a timely manner. Four-year plan templates are provided to help students get started, and an academic advisor can approve and 鈥榣ock鈥� a plan. Visit www.usi.edu/registrar/registration/degreeworks for Degree Works FAQs or Degree Works tutorials. Students should contact their academic advisor for assistance with reading their degree audit or creating a plan.