Why is Advising Important?

• ·         Faculty are role models for students and can be a powerful influence on student success, retention, and persistence
• ·         Faculty are guides through the education process
• ·         Faculty are resources in career development
• ·         Faculty are usually the first to identify student issues

What is the role of an Instructional Faculty member with regard to Advising?

• ·         Advise students with regard to their individual academic discipline, career choices within that discipline, and make suggestions and referrals to appropriate resources
• ·         Use professional expertise, personal experience and familiarity with COD to help students gather and evaluate information that will allow the student to explore available options and make their own decisions
• ·         Know their individual department’s course offerings and appropriate COD policies and procedures, but cannot know everything, so should collaborate with Counseling Department or other appropriate resources
• ·         Some student students will want to share personal issues or may cause the faculty member to be concerned about behavioral issues, so faculty should be aware of professional and legal limitations and make appropriate referrals to the Counseling Department or the Psychologist
  
• What is the role of a Counseling Faculty member with regard to Advising?
• ·         Counselors are generalists with regard to college course offerings, but have more in-depth knowledgeable about general education, transfer issues, financial aid, and college policy
• ·         For discipline-specific questions counselors will refer students to the appropriate instructional faculty advisor
• ·         Provide one-on-one and group academic, career and personal counseling services
• ·         Will provide assistance in coordinating appropriate campus services to assist a student
• ·         Teach Student Development courses, provide success skills workshops, and are the primary outreach staff for the College
• ·         Counselors assist in making referrals to the psychologist for students in crisis or those in need of short term mental health services
  
  
• What is the role of the Psychologist with regard to Advising?
• ·         Provides short-term mental health services to enable a student to complete the semester
• ·         Will assist with assessment of student needs and make outside referrals as appropriate
• ·         Works collaboratively with Counseling Department and Disabled Student Programs & Services (DSPS) to address student needs