Explains a microcomputer application that aids the academic advising process. Reports that this process makes students more responsible for their future and has beneficial effects on computer literacy, student recruitment, career and graduate school planning, early mentoring, and the quality of letters of recommendations and resumes. (KO)

An enrollment control program designed to reduce oversubscription in some majors was implemented at an open-admissions university. It was found that while the policies of such programs differ substantially from open-admission institution policies, such programs can work well when appropriate interventions and services are provided. (MSE)

Kent State University's College of Education implemented a computer-controlled advising system for undergraduate education students, providing information including program descriptions, deadlines and applications, student teaching, and other topics. Preliminary evaluation shows the system able to answer most-asked questions. (MSE)

A survey of 48 faculty advisors at 2 colleges investigated specific advising attitudes and practices that students characterized as developmental in a previous study. Results suggest advisors use the relationship to involve students in their individual college experiences, to explore factors contributing to success, and to show interest in student…

Introduces the assumptions behind responsive assessment--an approach to academic assessment that shifts the focus away from routine application of standardized assessment measures and toward understanding the immediate educational needs of learners. Articulates guidelines for the practice of responsive assessment and identifies barriers to its…

The City University of New York's Lehman College requires entering transfer students to demonstrate writing proficiency for appropriate placement. Academic advising is used to help students understand the need for this assessment. The relatively complex system has been found to save students' time, promote academic achievement, and improve…

The search model and compromise model currently dominate thinking about career development. One assumes that individuals form occupational personalities that are the basis for occupational selection; the other considers career choice a lifelong integration of experiences with environmental barriers. These can help the academic advisor guide…

Evaluation of a faculty advising program at a large, public, urban commuter university had student pairs of entering first-year students and transfers matched, with one of each pair participating in the program. Results were compromised by low participation but suggest that students feeling comfortable and respected during advising sessions were…

This article argues that academic advisors are well positioned to recommend new policies and programs in response to need for change in colleges. A method for advisors to propose and implement campus innovation is offered, and a case study illustrates the utility of this approach to bringing about change. (Author/MSE)

Student portfolios provide academic advisors and college students a useful vehicle for assessment and decision making. By setting goals, developing strategies, monitoring progress, and sharing ownership, students and advisors develop a holistic approach to assessment that is mutually beneficial. Portfolios contain varied work and are tailored to…

Reports on a survey of 275 psychology departments on requirements for psychology majors, chairperson's opinions about psychology minors, and minor areas recommended for psychology majors. Finds strong support for minors in the psychology program to provide a more well-rounded education. (CFR)

Describes the development of an affective measure of student attitudes toward their advisors, called the Descy Attitude toward Advisors scale (DATAs). Content validity is discussed, along with construct validity and alpha reliability data gathered on 120 graduate students in the fields of education and nursing. A copy of DATAs is appended.…

Studied relationship of developmental academic advising and frequency of faculty-student contact for advising purposes to the critical-thinking ability of freshman women (n=267). Found significant variance in critical-thinking scores resulting from developmental advising. (Author/ABL)

In a national survey of university colleges, deans report the advantages of providing a common experience to all freshmen and centrally administering programs relevant to the first year such as orientation, advising, learning assistance, retention and honors. University colleges attend to the needs of freshmen, undeclared majors, and adult…

Illinois Benedictine College has been surveying freshmen at the end of their first year in an effort to assess freshmen advising. Freshmen have rated advisors and the Freshman Advising Program very strong in most areas. (Author/MLW)