Academic Advising

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How the Curriculum Works at Evergreen

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Your Advising Partnership

Advising at Evergreen is a partnership among staff, faculty, advisors and you, the student.

What advising resources are available to me?

  • Faculty
  • Academic Advising
  • Access Services for Students with Disabilities
  • Career Development Center
  • First Peoples' Advising Services
  • KEY Student Services
  • The Advising Web site

What is my role in the advising partnership?

  • To take responsibility for your academic planning by gathering information to make thoughtful decisions about your academic and career choices
  • To plan for and register for classes as early as possible
  • To review information provided by the College, such as the Catalog, The Evergreen Times, Updates to the catalog, etc.
  • To be flexible in your planning, for example by considering more than one program to achieve your academic goals
  • To come to Advising prepared, by having reviewed your academic choices and identified your academic goals
  • To come to Advising if you are confused and don't know what to do
  • To seek help before a problem becomes a crisis
  • To be open about your study habits, school work and progress, and other aspects of your life that affect your academic life

What is the advisor's role in this partnership?

Although faculty and staff advisors have different kinds of expertise, you can expect them all to:

  • Support you in making well-thought-out academic choices
  • Listen to problems and concerns
  • Provide accurate information
  • Suggest options for you to consider
  • Direct you to other appropriate sources of information or support as needed
  • Assist you in thinking about how you will meet the Expectations of an Evergreen Graduate
  • Explain college policies and procedures

Who is my academic advisor?

You may choose-access any of Evergreen's many advising resources at every stage of your planning.

Orientation will launch your academic career by assisting you in understanding the unique approaches to learning and teaching at Evergreen. It will also introduce you to skills necessary for excelling at college life and to the rich resources of the college. Workshops offered by Academic Advising will help you to understand Evergreen's unique curriculum, review your advising resources and help you in your academic planning process. The academic advising staff is available for short drop-in sessions nearly every day, and for longer sessions by appointment. For questions about schedules, class availability, your class or credit standing or upcoming workshops, ask the Academic Advising Peer Advisors at the front desk in Library 1401.

Faculty are an important advising resource at Evergreen. You may be able to include academic planning in evaluation conferences or other meetings with your faculty. Faculty will also conduct specific academic advising activities at least once a year for their students. As part of your long-range planning, we encourage you to begin work early with the Career Development Center. We also encourage you to explore the other advising resources listed opposite. For further information about how each of these offices can provide support and advising, see the Evergreen Web site at www.evergreen.edu/subsites/studentresources.htm

When should I see an advisor?

As often as you like, but at least annually prior to registration to discuss your academic choices. You are encouraged to share your goals and concerns with your faculty members and/or with staff advisors. You should meet with faculty and/or staff advisors to:

  • Talk about long- and short-range academic and career, graduate school or life-work directions
  • Discuss your academic progress
  • Discuss any problems which affect your academic performance
  • Get assistance in choosing programs for upcoming quarters
  • Get updated or additional information about academic programs

Good planning is not usually done in the last few moments before your registration time ticket opens. You will have more time to work with staff advisors when you drop in or make an appointment well before registration opens. Use office hours posted by your faculty early in the quarter-before large projects or evaluations are due.

Who is responsible for monitoring my progress toward a degree?

It is your responsibility. Information about your academic history, your current registration and student account is available to you 24/7 on your Gateway account. Academic advisors are there to provide information and serve as consultants.

Can my family talk to my academic advisor?

Yes, but remember that the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) will prevent advisors from discussing any information about your educational record without a release from you. Advisors can answer general questions about Evergreen policies and procedures and can make appropriate referrals. If you want your faculty or a staff advisor to discuss your progress or a certain situation with your family, you should meet with the faculty member or advisor to clarify the situation, and sign a release form.