Academic advising is something The Department of Communication takes very seriously here at SUNY New Paltz. When you become a major in The Department of Communication, you will be assigned a major advisor who will help you successfully navigate the major in an effort to you graduate in a timely fashion. Here is what you can expect from your advisor:
• Help you to understand the meaning and relevance of the college experience.
• Assist you in developing and achieving realistic academic and career goals based on your interests, abilities, values, and needs.
• Interpret University policies, procedures, and requirements (when possible).
• Refer you to appropriate resources, including the Counseling Center, Disability Resource Center, the Career Resource Center, etc.
• Address your academic questions and concerns or point you in the right direction.
• Adhere to the highest principles of ethical behavior and maintain confidentiality. Your advisor will not discuss issues with parents or non-university persons without your written permission.
•Guide you in your selection of courses.
Because we deeply believe in the importance of academic advising, it is very important that you see your advisor face-to-face at least once a semester. You should receive an e-mail from your adviser 4 to 6 weeks prior to the beginning of registration informing you how to schedule your advising session. Please make sure you get in to see your advisor because he or she may not be available outside those specific office hours for advising. Postponing your advising session could lead to a delay in your ability to register. These 15 to 20 minute time-slots are designed to help you, so making sure you come prepared is very important as well. As such, here are some basic expectations your adviser has for you in this process:
• Take responsibility for your educational experience.
• Learn how to access, use and check your university e-mail often. E-mail is our primary way of communicating to all of our majors, so please look for messages from your advisor.
• Become familiar with campus resources.
• Maintain contact with your advisor throughout the semester.
• Come to each advising appointment prepared to ask questions and discuss concerns. Please bring all advising-related materials, your proposed list of courses to take, completed forms, etc.
• Know how and when to check holds and which offices to contact to remove the hold.
• Assess your interests, abilities, values, and needs and to discuss these with your advisor.
• Clarify your educational, career and personal goals.
• Use the Concentration Major Plans in The Department of Communication main office (or online) to become knowledgeable of academic requirements, policies, and procedures.
• Know important dates and deadlines (registration, drop/add, final exams, etc.) as listed on the university's Academic Calendar.
• Discuss your selection of courses with your advisor.
• Accept responsibility for your decisions and actions (or inactions) which affect your educational progress and goals.
The advisors within the Department of Communication will not release your registration clearance without meeting with you. They are full-time faculty or content experts within the represented disciplines within our department. Often questions arise that are beyond our knowledge, so when in doubt, always look on the Academic Advising Center's website for more information on advising (e.g., GE courses, transfer courses, transfer credit, etc.).
