Advising Tools

Students and Parents

Attending college can be a time of transition for students and their family. We recognize that parents and families are an essential component in the success of our students. Your continued support and guidance is an important piece to your child’s academic and personal success. The advising team is available to help students succeed and our goal is to work together to help students develop as individuals. We encourage students to converse openly with their families about their progress, academic interests, and college experiences, and we prefer to communicate directly with students rather than with parents/third parties.

Federal law prohibits us from sharing academic information unless we have your student’s written consent. Without their consent, we can only discuss policies and procedures in general. If a parent/third party is requesting information about their student’s account or records, the parent/third party must have been given Third Party Authorization by the student. If a student is truly incapacitated because of a major illness or family emergency, the practice is for the parent to contact the dean of students, who then notifies the student’s advisor and professors.

Academic advisor role

• Monitor student progress and guide the student toward academic success;
• Help the student understand his or her responsibilities toward academic success;
• Act as a liaison between the institution and the student,
• Act as an advocate for the student;
• Refer the student to appropriate institutional resources.

In many ways the academic advisor is a teacher and facilitator. Advisors foster and encourage personal and intellectual growth in students (Crookston, 1972); they do more than help students register for classes. Academic advisors are well informed about the institution’s resources available to students. Academic advising is not a ‘one-stop shop’ but a wealth of knowledge that can help students navigate the institutional system. In short, the academic advisor assists students in the development of meaningful educational plans that are compatible with personal and/or career goals and instill a desire for lifelong learning.

Student role

• Responsible for learning and understanding;
• Monitor his or her own academic progress;
• Know the degree requirements of the college and major of interest;
• Communicate with the advisor regarding issues and/or concerns about academics or student life;
• Attend classes;
• Manage time for class preparation;
• Become familiar with university resources;
• Understand and adhere to university policies

Student responsibility is the key to all development and learning (Davis & Murrell, 2003). In order to have a successful and meaningful college experience, students must accept full responsibility for their personal and academic progress. Academic advisors and parents can act as role models to help students accept this responsibility. Per WSU Academic Regulation Rule 108, the student has the ultimate responsibility for meeting all graduation requirements. The student plans the program of study each semester in consultation with the advisor. The degree requirements listed in the catalog and in the advisement report are binding.

Parent role

• Be available to support and encourage;
• Maintain regular contact;
• Offer advice (when appropriate);
• Encourage students to do things they can do for themselves;
• Allow students to make mistakes in this safe environment.

One of the most important and valuable things parents can off their college students is support and encouragement. Because students of today’s generation look up to their parents as mentors and role models, positive reinforcement from parents is crucial to college success. It is also important that advisors, students, and parents support each other in helping students make responsible decisions that will shape their future. Young college students are in the process of realizing their autonomy. Helping parents understand the importance of letting their children do things for themselves can help students emerge as capable adults. If parents understand the competencies and expertise of the academic advisor, they are more likely to trust the judgment and wisdom of the advisor and allow their children to experience and appreciate the new and exciting challenges college life can bring.

Advisors and Parents: Together Building Stronger Advising Relationships (authored by: Mark D. Menezes, 2005)

Presentations on YouTube

Your advising team has created recorded presentations available on YouTube. These presentations refresh students on myWSU navigation for searching and enrolling in courses, admission to the major and advising plans for SDC programs, writing portfolio, e-mail etiquette and more.