Academic Advising
From the moment you step foot on Plattsburgh’s campus — physically and virtually, too — there is an astounding amount of academic assistance available to you. As a matriculated student, you always have a designated academic advisor in your major or program. On top of that, you have numerous sources of assistance to help you succeed in every way.
The academic advising office provides outreach and academic guidance to any student who is:
- A new SUNY Plattsburgh student.
- A student in the undeclared major.
- Changing majors/minors or in an academic “re-direction.”
- Unclear about an academic policy or degree requirement.
- In need of referral for special services such as career planning, study skills, mental health counseling or documenting a learning disability.
- In academic jeopardy or difficulty — and doesn't know what to do.
Advising Roles & Responsibilities
Your Role
As a student, you too have a special responsibility in the advising process. You should take initiative to seek advisement and to develop a relationship with your advisor. To do your part:
- Learn the name and location of your academic advisor.
- Call or visit your advisor at the first sign of a question, concern, or problem. Advisors are excellent sources of support, referral, and information about campus resources, policies, and courses specific to your field of study.
- Login to MyPlattsburgh regularly to check Plattsburgh email and receive important announcements about advising.
- Pay attention to the many announcements about “course advisement period.” Each student must make an appointment to meet with their advisor to review midterm grades, plan the next semester, and obtain their registration PIN. Missing the course advisement period prevents you from access to priority registration for the next semester.
- Prepare for advisement by reviewing your Degree Works audit (which lists satisfied and outstanding degree requirements), keeping track of your progress toward degree completion and searching the online schedule of courses offered in the next semester.
Your Academic Advisor’s Role
Your academic advisor is primarily responsible for the following:
- Affording ample opportunity to meet to discuss your educational experiences, especially during the designated “course advisement period,” to review your selection of courses for the next semester and issue your registration PIN.
- Helping you with general education requirements and college policies.
- Ensuring that you have met necessary prerequisites for recommended courses and assisting with any departmental requirements and specific course sequences in the major.
- Assisting you in the continual monitoring and evaluation of your progress toward your degree completion.
- Supporting you in clarifying your values and goals and to better understand yourself.
- Recommending college services, campus involvement or other opportunities, in order for you to make the most of what is available to you.
Benefits of Academic Advisement
By preparing in advance, and meeting with your advisor, you receive:
- An “OK” that your course selections are appropriate, on track, and in the correct sequence
- An assessment of your progress toward degree completion (e.g., number of credits so far, which GenEds/Cardinal Core requirements remain)
- Assistance with examining your academic values, personal interests, and career goals
- The registration PIN you need to access “priority registration” for the next semester