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Introduction to CLA Advising

Academic advising is a process by which a student meets with a faculty or professional staff member to get assistance in making important academic decisions while in pursuit of their degree. While it is always up to the student to be aware of and ensure they meet all applicable degree requirements, academic advisors are available to assist students in understanding university policies and registering in proper courses in order to graduate.

College Advisors and Faculty Mentors in the College of Liberal Arts

There are two types of academic advisors in the College of Liberal Arts: College Advisors and Faculty Mentors. Both types of advisors can assist you with your academic progress in different ways and you are able to meet with both types of advisors.

1. CLA Advisors

CLA's College Advisors, located in the College of Liberal Arts Student Center, are year-round professional staff members whose primary role is academic advisement. College Advisors are able to assist all students with a major or minor in liberal arts programs.

A CLA Advisor can be particularly helpful with advising for:

  • New students to the University (incoming freshmen/first-year students and new transfer students)
  • Students changing their major to one within the College of Liberal Arts from another College/School at the University
  • Questions regarding the overall degree framework, including Core Curriculum, CLA language, CLA breadth, or the minor requirements
  • Students on academic recovery for low University GPA
  • Pre-graduation evaluations for students nearing the completion of their degree and preparing to graduate
  • General advising or exploration of liberal arts majors and minors
  • When faculty mentors are not available (especially during winter or summer breaks)

First-year students generally meet with College Advisors prior to their first semester at the University (as part of summer orientation advising) and throughout the first year.

Drop in or make an appointment with the CLA Student Center

2. Faculty Mentors

Each academic department in the College of Liberal Arts has one or more faculty mentors. Faculty Mentors are academic faculty members who advise specifically for their department’s major and minor programs. In addition to their roles as instructors and scholars, Faculty Mentors can serve as mentors to students as they progress through their degrees.

It is best to consult with a Faculty Mentor for:

  • Questions about requirements or course substitutions in a major/minor program
  • Selecting specific major/minor classes to meet your academic or professional interests
  • Graduate and professional school planning
  • Exploring internship and career opportunities related to your program

Students are encouraged to meet with Faculty Mentors regularly, especially after completing the first year of study.

Contact a faculty mentor

When should you schedule an advising appointment?

Students should not hesitate to meet with an academic advisor whenever facing a decision or dilemma that can affect academic progress.

Examples of times when students should see an advisor:

  • Every semester, prior to registering for classes for an upcoming term
  • To discuss any problems that could affect academic progress
  • When considering dropping a class (particularly to discuss the academic and other impacts of doing so)
  • Exploring a declaration or change of a major or minor program
  • Preparing to study abroad
  • To discuss ways to improve academic performance, especially when on academic probation
  • Prior to applying for graduation, to ensure all requirements are met

Class registration and peak advising

In order to stay on track for a timely graduation, students are highly encouraged to see an academic advisor each semester prior to enrolling in classes for the upcoming term.

The registration period for Spring semesters occurs in November, and registration for Fall semesters happens in April. Students are notified via email several weeks in advance as to their “enrollment appointment,” which is the date and time MyÁùºÏ±¦µä will allow you to begin registering in classes (it is not an actual appointment with an advisor); this information is also posted in the MyÁùºÏ±¦µä Student Center.

The weeks leading up to and during class registration is when most students see an academic advisor, which is referred to as the “peak advising” period. During peak advising, advisors’ appointment slots fill up quickly — for example, it is not uncommon for College Advisors in the CLA Student Center to be booked out up to three weeks in advance during peak times. Keep this in mind when scheduling advising appointments. Note that the CLA Student Center and many faculty mentors do not offer same-day advising appointments unless otherwise advertised.

Registration cycle steps for fall and spring registration

First-year students will have an advising hold and must complete mandatory advising prior to spring and fall registration. Watch for communication from the CLA Student Center and/or your faculty mentor about how to complete this required advising.

Fall cycle

Enrollment appointment emails are typically sent: 
First week of March

Suggested timeline to schedule advising appointment: 
Prior to Spring Break

Approximate peak advising period: 
Early/mid-March – End of April

Typical enrollment appointment dates for priority registrants: 
April 1st

Typical enrollment appointment dates for first-year students: 
Third-or-fourth week in April

Spring cycle

Enrollment appointment emails are typically sent:
First week of October

Suggested timeline to schedule advising appointment:
No later than October 15th

Approximate peak advising period:
Mid-October – Thanksgiving

Typical enrollment appointment dates for priority registrants:
November 1st

Typical enrollment appointment dates for first-year students:
Mid/late November