Academic Advising

COURSE: Academic Advising
ADVISOR:
OFFICE NO.:
TELEPHONE: (956) 381-2529
OFFICE HOURS: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
e-mail address:

GENERAL POLICIES

Documented Disability:
If you have a documented disability which will make it difficult for you to carry out the work as I have outlined and/or if you need special accommodations/ assistance due to the disability, please contact the Office of Services for Persons with Disabilities (OSPD), Emilia Schunior-Ramirez Hall, Rm. 1.101, 316-7005 immediately.  Appropriate arrangements/ accommodations can be made.

TSI Information: In response to a new state law, The University of Texas-Pan American has made significant changes to our educational development plan.  What was once called TASP is now the Texas Success Initiative (TSI).  If you are TSI-affected, you must enroll in, attend, and complete the developmental course or face consequences, such as withdrawal from the university.  If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Advisement Center, located in the University Center (UC) room 215 or call (956) 381-2529.

ACADEMIC ADVISING DESCRIPTION/DEFINITION

Academic advising is an educational process that, by intention and design, facilitates students’ understanding of the meaning and purpose of higher education and fosters their intellectual and personal development toward academic success and lifelong learning.  (NACADA, 2004)

Academic advising is the student’s best source of information about academic programs and procedures at The University of Texas – Pan American.  These services are a vital aspect of the University’s active commitment to academic success for every student.

Academic advising is a collaborative educational process whereby students and their advisors are partners in meeting the essential learning outcomes, ensuring student academic success and outlining the steps for achievement of the student’s personal, academic and career goals.  This advisor/student partnership requires participation and involvement of both the advisor and the student as it is built over the student’s entire educational experience at The University of Texas – Pan American.  Both the student and the advisor have clear responsibilities for ensuring the advising partnership is successful.

• As your advisor I will provide:
• Concern for your well-being and your personal, financial, academic and career goals.
• Current and accurate information about academic programs, prerequisites, requirements, policies and procedures.
• Awareness about career exploration and the need to develop life management skills.
• Assistance with developing an overview of your academic program.
• Assistance with planning your courses.
• Help in understanding the procedures and processing of academic forms, i.e. drop/add, change of major, address, appeals and financial aid.
• An academic report to determine current academic status within a declared major and minor.
• An academic plan of action should you be placed on probation or suspension.
• Referrals to support services when necessary.
• Student confidentiality in accordance with the Privacy Act.

• Your responsibilities as a student are to:
• Make a commitment to challenge yourself regarding your personal, educational and career goals.
• Become personally involved in seeking information about your academic program, including all applicable requirements and policies.
• Accept responsibility for your choices and decisions and for the consequences thereof.
• Plan and prepare your class schedule each semester.
• Ask questions if you don’t understand.
• Seek assistance from your advisor as soon as you encounter any academic concern.
• Respond to all correspondence from the University in a timely manner.
• Remain up to date with changes pertaining to institutional and state policies that may impact your academic status or career.
• Understand the Privacy Act and its policy implications and consequences.
• Immediately provide the Office of Records and Registration with changes in major/minor, mailing address, phone number, etc.

EXPECTED STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES FOR THE ACADEMIC ADVISING EXPERIENCE

Through the academic advising experiences at University of Texas – Pan American, students will experience:

• Intellectual growth,
• Establishment of personal and educational goals,
• Enhanced self-esteem,
• Realistic self-appraisal,
• Clarified values and beliefs,
• Developing personal independence, and
• Leadership development.

DEMONSTRATING YOUR  ACHIEVEMENT OF LEARNING OUTCOMES

You will  demonstrate your achievement of the outcomes listed above by:

• Being proactive in scheduling advising appointments during your tenure at UTPA,
• Considering carefully, prior to the advising appointment, course and registration options for the upcoming semester,
• Declaring a major (if not already declared) by the time you accumulate 30 semester hours,
• Maintaining continuous attendance toward earning your degree,
• Enrolling in coursework required for your degree, and
• Graduating with your baccalaureate degree within 5 years.

WEBSITES

• University Catalogue http://www.panam.edu/catalog/
• ASSIST http://www.assist.panam.edu
• Degree Audit
• Unofficial Transcripts
• Registration
• Payment