A discussion of Britain's regulation that master's and doctoral degree candidates must have two or three program supervisors identifies four potential problems: fragmentation of supervisory responsibilities; conflicting advice; unproductive games; and absence of overall perspective on the thesis. Experience with an improved, team approach is…

The activities undertaken by the advising system at Oklahoma State University's College of Arts and Sciences are described. In addition, characteristics of colleges that value the academic advising function and the importance of meeting student needs are sketched. One component of Oklahoma State University's advising system has involved…

A discussion of ethics in college academic advising looks at four ideals of ethics (utility, justice, respect for persons, and fidelity), proposes eight ethical principles for advising, and applies them in five hypothetical case studies. The principles are suggested for training purposes, not as a code of ethics. (MSE)

The use of focus groups to assess existing college student leadership efforts and as a step in developing better programs is examined. Procedures include assembling a planning team, identifying information needs, determining the composition of focus groups, soliciting and training volunteers, and using focus group results to design a program. (MSE)

This handbook provides a framework to assist program directors and other administrators as they discuss questions men and women in premedical and medical schools face with respect to: (1) parenting issues; (2) practical and policy-related questions about becoming parents; and (3) whether it is possible to be both a devoted and effective…

An Iowa State University survey of 404 senior engineering students investigated student use of advisors, services and information sought, and patterns of use and satisfaction related to student gender, grade point average, and age. Higher-performing students expressed more satisfaction, and younger students used advisors more for some services.…

The faculty athletics representative plays an important role in the athletic-academic relationship. This responsibility includes certifying student-athlete eligibility, reporting academic data as required, evaluating athlete-applicant qualifications and abilities, regular evaluation of athlete performance, and participation in evaluation of…

An inservice training program for advisers of undergraduate students that was implemented at Michigan State University in 1981 is discussed. Four primary ingredients were essential to establish and sustain the program: financial support and sponsorship by the central administration, the identification and authorization of the appropriate unit and…

Evaluation of the academic advising system at a complex university found that most students were advised, felt general advising needs were met, and were satisfied with help received. Few felt faculty were their primary advisors, many sought help from other sources, and most spent 15 minutes or less per semester with primary advisors. (Author/MSE)

A discussion of the role of college faculty and staff advisors to student organizations examines the factors that influence advisor involvement and commitment, issues related to cultural diversity in student organizations, and ways to structure more effective advisor-organization interactions. It is concluded that institutions and organizations…

This brief report summarizes a longer report with the same title. It focuses on the outcomes of academic advising within the context of research on contact between faculty and students, student involvement, and persistence. It is suggested that colleges and universities use strategic planning to design advising programs based on relationships of…

This guide is intended to assist college faculty members working with graduate students from developing nations who may need help bridging the gap between their educational backgrounds and the requirements of graduate science programs which are primarily planned for U.S. students. Differences are noted in the pre-graduate school training of such…

Ways to promote academic advising are suggested at a conference for deans and directors. Objectives that an institution should address are as follows: (1) to provide advisers with accurate and timely information about the policies, procedures, and processes that affect the advising relationship; (2) to provide advisers with additional skills often…

Two related institutional activities that college administrators should address are faculty productivity and student advising. Efforts to increase institutional productivity should incorporate personal and organizational development and should reflect sensitivity to the organizational climate. The goal for institutional managers is to structure a…

The study examined the advising attitudes and practices of faculty members identified as developmental advisors at two women's liberal arts colleges. Developmental advising, as distinguished from prescriptive advising, was defined as a relationship based on shared responsibility in which students participate in the academic planning process.…