This paper discusses how a holistic, collaborative approach to advising can be developed and what important pieces are needed to implement an effective advising system for the 1990s at Ferris State University (FSU). These actions/policies are recommended: (1) see advising as a university-wide responsibility with collaboration on the delivery of advising services; (2) define information that is readily available to all persons interested in the advising process and eliminate redundancy of information; (3) develop a personal advising system; (4) break advising skills up into the areas of information giving, communication process, and helping skills and work to enhance each area; (5) recognize the special needs of special populations at FSU, such as the needs of nontraditional students, women, minority students, undecided students and underprepared students; and (6) clarify the responsibilities of being an advisor. The paper concludes that there are several areas of the advising process at FSU that could be improved with little or no cost to the institution. It is claimed that these changes would help bring about a more collaborative and holistic system of advising. It is recommended that FSU examine alternative advising systems that would have new cost but would help the institution keep competitive through the 1990s. (ABL)