Several approaches being used to support students in distance education programs in the United Kingdom, the United States, and other countries are described. Britain's Open University support services are offered through tutor-counselors in about 260 local study centres throughout the United Kingdom. Students are assigned to specialist tutors who…

The separate but complementary roles of the international student advisor and counselor are discussed, and foreign student personnel services are addressed. It is suggested that the increasing number of international students indicates a need for a full-time foreign student advisor. The job is complicated by the different cultures and different…

The services provided by The University of Akron's International Student Office (ISO) are described, along with additional programming needs. The ISO provides immigration counseling, academic advising, orientation programs, and the English Language Institute. Information and referral services for foreign students and information on study/travel…

Tacoma Community College (TCC) is a comprehensive institution serving 7,000 students per quarter out of the 200,000 residents of Tacoma-Pierce County. Statistics show that 20% of the student population have not graduated from high school; 21% are from minority groups; and an estimated 60% are academically, educationally, or socially disadvantaged.…

Undergraduate academic advising services available at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) was studied in 1979-80. One survey was sent to 114 deans, directors, and chairs of undergraduate and graduate programs, centers, and administrative units involved in academic advising to identify faculty and staff involved in academic advising. A…

Bayesian data analytic procedures were used to assess the effects of a new undergraudate advising program designed to focus on students who do not initially declare a major field of study. Past research has shown that these students tend to graduate at a low rate, relative to those who do declare majors. It was hypothesized that these students…

Academic advising by faculty members has often been ineffective. Peer advising systems that employ peers as academic counselors may successfully address student criticism of faculty advising systems. Peer systems capitalize on the primacy of peer influence, provide an economical delivery system, and are available and accessible to students. These…

Materials and services related to improving the academic advising process compose this manual developed to aid colleges and universities. Part One (Introduction to Advising) covers: the definition and importance of academic advising; basic elements in developing and implementing a successful advising program; delivery of academic advising; and…

Students 22 years of age and older clearly have counseling needs and instructional preferences that differ from those of college-age students. These conclusions were reached after a survey of 6,500 students in 27 diverse junior/community colleges. Among the major findings of the study were: (1) older students were less likely to experience…

The role of honors programs as models and resources for all college education is described, and a comprehensive set of 22 recommendations for fostering excellence in every higher education unit is provided. (Author)

Department chairs are in a position to help shape a culture where student learning is the central focus of faculty, staff, and students (Gmelch & Schuh, 2004). They hire, socialize, and evaluate faculty members' performance, guide curriculum development, and maintain the quality of academic programs. At the same time, department chairs typically…

The six papers of this monograph discuss the role of faculty in campus academic advising programs in discussions of training, accountability, evaluation, and recognition and reward. The first paper, "Redefining Faculty Roles for Academic Advising" (Gary L. Kramer) defines three attributes of successful advising programs: as an integral component…

This brochure summarizes results of a study of "best practices" in the Student Support Services program (SSS), a federal program intended to increase the college retention and graduation rates of participants who are the first-generation in their families to attend college, are disadvantaged, or are disabled. To identify best practices,…

Due to a survey showing negative student and faculty attitudes toward advising, a program to improve advising services and student contact was undertaken. Results show increased interactions of all kinds initiated by students, faculty, and staff; improved retention; and slightly increased enrollment. (MSE)

A discussion of the role of academic advisors in counseling college students with emotional problems outlines warning signals in student behavior, presents a systematic approach to dealing with the situation, reviews referral procedures, and examines briefly the issue of confidentiality. (MSE)