Improving Campus Life (page 3)

Her advisor made one simple phone call and provided her with the necessary access code for OASIS. Nesbitt never realized that her advisor was there to meet with her on a regular basis to help her with the very problems and challenges she faced in constructing her schedule and later her four-year college plan. ---- percent of students, according to the survey, met with their advisors only once, indicating that the next time that the OASIS code was needed, for example, second semester, it was most likely obtained over the phone or by e-mail.
Furthermore, students are not aware of the benefits that the program should offer as a service to students. Freshmen are only informed of the need to obtain their code instead of the overall guidance that the advisor can provide to them. Therefore, students do not feel encouraged to seek out the advisor when they have questions about courses, requirements, and college career advice. The current program emphasizes the logistical aspects over the interpersonal aspects.

These problems have repercussions with which student's later struggle. For example, the way that the program is structured has commonly led to students' not graduating on time, as evidenced by senior Mike Bracken's situation. In addition, students often complete many more courses than are necessary in fulfilling requirements as a result of their lack of knowledge that should be provided by advisors, a problem to which senior Sara Alexander can attest.

Solvency

Given the current problems regarding the advising system, we suggest implementing a dynamic solution involving a peer-mentoring program and a comprehensive training program for faculty advisors. The combination of the programs will help students efficiently choose classes and ensure graduation in four years. This will enable students to not only effectively plan their academic careers, but also foster relationships with faculty members as well as other students in their major. Overall, this will help facilitate a scholarly community within each major where students can get to know each other, and give and receive advise. By utilizing both faculty members and students for the mentoring program, the students have a much larger base of knowledge in which to use when making important decisions.

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