The academic advisor's position in the relationship of student to college is critical, and the related legal issues fall into four areas: the contractual relationship, guidelines governing privacy of student records, privileged communications, and academic due process and the need for grievance procedures. (MSE)

Recent research about academic advising is reported and specific ways to implement an academic advising system are suggested. Advising as part of academic integration, multiple approaches to advising, formulating policy for advising, rewards, and training and evaluation are discussed. (MLW)

The Family and Child Development Advising Center at Kansas State University, created to centralize all advising functions into one operation, seeks also to explore the more personal aspects of the student's academic program and vocational decisions. A questionnaire survey of student perceptions of the centralized advising center is discussed. (MLW)

Building on the example of computer software designed to help calculate grade point averages, the next generation of such programs is examined and the definition of computer-assisted advising is expanded to additional examples of interactive, student-centered advising software, some still under development. A comprehensive computer-assisted…

Discusses the role of the counselor in advising artistically gifted students about going to colleges of art. Concludes there are great advantages to art colleges for highly committed students, but for those less committed or less well prepared artistically, universities allow students to explore a wider range of options. (TE)

A study of 535 students in probation or suspension status at the University of Toledo's University College, 77 percent of whom were adults, revealed patterns of enrollment, transfer, attendance, course load, and course completion. The results are presented and a special intervention program created after the study is described briefly. (MSE)

Recent studies in South Australia and Western Australia have shown that approximately one-third of all students fail to graduate, with the largest dropout occurring by the end of the first year of higher education. Research on student retention is discussed and steps to improve retention are suggested. (MLW)

The use of graduate student support groups to complement the academic advisor's role and reduce students' sense of isolation is examined, particularly for female graduate students. Intersection of research on collaborative groups for thesis-writing and on gender-related communication patterns is examined to suggest how such groups can be…

This study compared two instruments for evaluating the performance of individual college-level academic advisors: (1) a student form assessing abilities in listening and other counseling skills, knowledge, and technology use; and (2) a professional scale assessing task competence, other-orientation, and professional networking. Both showed high…

Brigham Young University (Utah) creates a personalized student profile based on high school academic records, American College Testing data, and student interests and concerns. The profile leads to an individualized letter recommending a first-year course of study and sources of additional help. Faculty freshman advisors are trained in use of the…

An Australian study investigated the structure of a master's program in education and examiners' concerns about theses, focusing on the most common criticisms. The study was based on information about 125 part-time students' theses over a 4-year period. The examiners' criticisms raised questions about the thesis supervisor's role. (MSE)

College faculty must know that the major administrators at their institutions value the activity of academic advising. Demonstration of a commitment to effectiveness includes using advising as part of the workload/reward system and discussing advising with other significant priorities. This forceful administrative message articulates leaders'…

Faculty need more general institutional information and training if they are to perform effectively as academic advisors. Three key elements in their preparation for this function are: a conceptual understanding of student development and of the advising process; institutional and curricular information; and relational skills and knowledge to…

Faculty advising students pursuing programs in the arts and humanities should bring to this endeavor suggestions that both challenge students' creative spirit and reconcile this attitude with the realities of earning a living. Guiding principles should include honesty, ensuring that students understand their art interests completely, respect for…

A discussion of academic advising provides general advice for faculty advisors and looks at distinctive elements in academic advising for technical subjects, particularly those encountered with transfer students who have technical credits to transfer. Use of computer-based information systems in this context is also examined briefly. (Author/MSE)