E-mail this pageSources of Academic Advising Assistance
From the moment you step foot on Plattsburgh's campus (and even before), there is an astounding amount of academic advising and assistance available to you! As a matriculated student, you always have a designated "Academic Advisor" in your major. Additionally, you may consult with the Academic Advising Office or other sources for common questions about procedures, terminology, and policies.
Below you will find a summarization of the roles that key academic advising resources can play to assist you, as well as the role that YOU play in the process.
The Academic Advisor
Your academic advisor is primarily responsible for the following:
- Affording advisees ample opportunities to meet to discuss their educational experiences, including but not limited to the designated "course advisement period," during which the advisor reviews the advisee's selection of courses for the following semester and issues a registration PIN;
- Acquainting advisees with general education requirements and college policies;
- Ensuring that advisees are aware of departmental requirements and specific course sequences that are required in the major; determine that the student has had adequate preparation (e.g., prerequisite courses) for courses that are recommended;
- Assisting students in the continual monitoring and evaluation of their educational progress;
- Assisting students in clarifying their values and goals and to better understand themselves;
- Recommending college services, campus involvement or other opportunities, in order for the student to realize the maximum educational benefits available to them.
YOU, too, have a special role and responsibility in the advising process. You should take initiative to seek advisement and to develop a relationship with your advisor. In order to do this effectively, you are encouraged to do all of the following:
- Learn the name and location of your academic advisor. (Just login to MyPlattsburgh.edu, click on the Student Services tab, and look at the Advisors pane.)Introduce yourself to your academic advisor(s) early in the semester, and perhaps have a short conversation about how things are going so far.
- Call or visit your advisor at the first indication of a question, concern, or problem. Advisors are excellent sources of support, referral, and information about campus resources, academic standards and policies, and the sequences of courses and experiences specific to your field of study.
- Login to MyPlattsburgh very regularly - to check Plattsburgh e-mail and important announcements about advising from the College and from advisors;
- Attend to the many announcements about "course advisement period" that occurs during the two weeks following midterm grades. Each student visits their advisor's office to sign up for an appointment, during which the advisor assists with course selection, reviews midterm grades, and issues a registration PIN code. Missing course advisement period will likely prevent you from access to priority registration for the next semester.
- Prepare for advisement by keeping track of your CAPP report (which always lists satisfied and outstanding degree requirements), searching the master schedule of courses offered in the next semester, and keeping on hand your copy of the College Catalog which lists all academic policies that apply to your admission year.
- Keep track of your progress toward degree completion (by using the above mentioned tools), as it is ultimately your responsibility to ensure that all requirements have been met.
Other Advisory Resources
Your academic advisor is usually your first contact when you need to:
- Plan courses for the next semester, or adjust the schedule you have planned,
- Ask a question about a campus resource, or
- Explore major-specific careers or other special opportunities.
However, your advisor is not an isolated resource for academic or other assistance! You may also consult with (in no particular order):
- Your Department Chair - if your advisor is unavailable and you have a major-specific question or concern that requires immediate assistance.
- Academic Advising Office - if you are unclear about an academic policy question, need a second opinion, need clarification about advisement/registration procedures, or are experiencing academic difficulties that cause you to consider a course or college withdrawal.
- Your Residence Life Staff (such as Resident Mentor, Faculty Advocate, or RA/RD) - especially if you are new and unfamiliar with navigating your way around campus or are unsure about how advisement works.
- The Center for Student Health & Psychological Services - if a medical, psychological, or other personal issue is interfering with your ability to focus on your schoolwork or has/will affect your academic performance.
- The Career Development Center - if you are not satisfied with your current major path and are contemplating a different direction, or if you are satisfied with your current major but want information about the next step in your professional/career path.
- Student Support Services - if you have a documented learning/physical disability, or if you now believe you have a disability, and require assessment or accommodative services to assist you in your academic pursuits.
As you can tell, the SUNY Plattsburgh has abundant resources available to you - for academic advising and much more! All you need to do is ask.
Contact Information
Academic Advising
Office Location: Feinberg 101-103
Phone: (518) 564-2080
Fax: (518) 564-2079
E-mail: advise@plattsburgh.edu