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ETSU has a shared delivery model of undergraduate advisement where some advisors meet with students within a centralized area and others advise students within their major department.  To find your advisor, please use the resources below. 

General Advisement Information


How to Find Your Advisor

Early Semester Progress Reports (mid-term grades)

Student and Advisor Responsibilities

Student Referral Guide

Tips for Advising Appointments

Choosing a Major?

Forms

News and Events

Other Helpful Websites


General Advisement Information    
Definition: Advisement at ETSU is a continuous interactive process between an advisor and student which facilitates the development and achievement of the student's overall goals.  advisement is a distinct part of a student's educational experience, provided by ETSU as a service.

Responsibility:   A successful relationship between an advisor and student depends upon shared responsibility.  Advisors and others at ETSU provide mentoring, advice, referrals, and information to help students make wise, informed decisions.  the relationship students develop with their advisor is important to their success at ETSU.  Students should consult with their advisor each semester and especially before making decisions that may affect their academic progress and success.  Discussions with the advisor may include: understanding degree requirements, dropping a class, withdrawing from ETSU, selecting courses, and exploring career options.  ****Students are ultimately responsible for their academic decisions, including course selection, meeting prerequisites, and adhering to policies, procedures and deadlines at ETSU.

Advisement required:   Advisors are a personal link between the students and the university.  All students have an advisor and should confer with their advisor each semester.  In fact, ETSU requires most students consult with an advisor before registering each semester.  The following students must be advised before they are able to register each semester:

  • All students who have less than 60 earned credits are required
  • First-term-at-ETSU transfer students are required to meet with an advisor prior to registration for their first and second term of enrollment.
  • Students who have been readmitted are required to meet with an advisor prior to registration their first term back at ETSU.
  • Students who have not declared a major or who are required to complete Learning Support (in Reading or Writing) are required to see an advisor in the University Advisement Center located in the Advisement Resources Career Center (ARC) located on the 2nd level of the D.P. Culp Center (423-439-5244).  *Note: students who are only required to take Learning Support in Math will be advised by their major advisor.

These guidelines are the minimum advisement requirements.  Some colleges and departments may have additional advisement requirements.  Students should consult with their academic department or advisor to determine their advisement requirements.

How to Find Your Adviso r:   Students who have declared a major should see an advisor in that major.  Students should contact the department of their major for information or contact the Advisement resource Career Center (ARC) located on the 2nd level of the D.P. Culp Center 423-439-8650 for additional information.  Please see the  quick reference phone list below to contact most majors.

This list may also he helpful in finding your advisor:

Additional advisement opportunities:

  • Some students may have multiple advisors (major, minor, program, licensure) who will provide advisement in these areas.

  • Students taking classes in Kingsport may contact the Kingsport Center for advisement information (423-392-8000).

  • Other advisement or support areas such as Athletics, Adult, commuter, and Transfer Services (ACTS), Student Support Services or Medical Professions Advisement may contact students to discuss additional advisement opportunities or requirements.

  • Students who are pursuing secondary education licensure need to contact the College of Education during their first semester at ETSU (423-439-7626).

  • All students will benefit from conferring with their assigned advisor on a regular basis.

Early Semester Progress Reports (mid-term grades) are used as an early indicator of academic progress in undergraduate level courses.  Early Semester Progress Reports are available to undergraduate students in GoldLink around the 8th week of the fall and spring semesters.  If the grades are unsatisfactory, students should use these grades to start conversations with their instructors, their academic advisor and to seek tutoring and other resources to improve their grades.


STUDENT AND ADVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES
A GUIDE FOR STUDENTS AND ADVISORS RELATING TO THE ADVISOR/ADVISEE  RELATIONSHIP AND ADVISING PROCESS

Student Responsibility

Advisor Responsibility

Learn the name and office of his/her advisor early in his/her first semester at ETSU.

Maintain adequate posted office hours and appointment times for advisement.

Consult with his/her advisor on a regular basis each semester, especially prior to registration, when in academic difficulty, prior to changing minors or concentrations, prior to making changes in an approved schedule, or withdrawing from ETSU.

Keep all scheduled appointments and to notify the student in advance if it is not possible to keep the scheduled appointment.

Schedule and keep appointments with his/her advisor, at appropriate times each semester and notify advisor prior to scheduled appointment if student must reschedule. 

Gain the necessary training to effectively advise, guide and refer students to ETSU resources applicable to the student's program of study.

Seek assistance with the decision to be made rather than expect the advisor to make the decisions.

Use ETSU resources including online Undergraduate Catalog, departmental websites, general education, proficiency intensive, graduation, program requirements and licensure requirements to guide and refer students.

Be familiar with ETSU Policies and Procedures, major department's website and program sheets as well as the Online Undergraduate Catalog.

Maintain a complete accurate advisement record for each student in order to monitor progress towards goals and graduation requirements.

Maintain copies of his/her program of study inclduing general education, proficiency intensive and graduation requirements.

Regularly check and respond to student emails in a timely manner.

Be familiar with and utilize information available on GoldLink (registration status, holds, academic transcript, early semester progress grades and end of term grades). 

Refer students to the academic deadlines as posted on the ETSU online calendar and in GoldLink.

Update his/her contact information (address and phone numbers) in a timely manner using GoldLink.

Assist in the advisor reassignment process when applicable.

Activate and regularly check his/her campus email account (GoldMail).

Understand and comply with the mandates of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 as Amended (FERPA).

Know and observe academic deadlines as posted on the ETSU online calendar and in GoldLink.

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Follow through with appropriate action after the advising session and to verify all GoldLink transactions as related to adding or dropping classes.

 

Seek reassignment to a new advisor if differences between the advisor and student should develop.

 

Tips for Preparing for Your Advisement Appointments

Schedule and keep your appointment with your Academic  Advisor at least once each semester.

Check GoldLink for holds, registration status and review your academic transcript.

Review materials you received at Orientation or at your last advisement appointment. Check out the ETSU website (http://www.etsu.edu) and the online Undergraduate Catalog (www.etsu.edu/reg/catalog) for information about policies, procedures, resources, and majors. 

Make a list of courses you would like to take

Make a list of questions you wish to ask your advisor.

Tell your advisor your personal and career interests, values, and goals.

Ask if a handbook or curriculum sheet for your major is available.

Keep copies of  the information your advisor gives you.

What if I need help Choosing a Major or Career?

The Career Exploration Center:  located in the ARC on the 2nd level of the D.P. Culp Center, helps students:

  • Choose an academic major
  • Learn about their occupational interests, values and abilities
  • Obtain information about occupations
  • Clarify their career plans



  What Does it Mean to Change a Major?

First, it means that a student has undergone some change in personal or career interests. Most students change majors at least once. However, it is a decision that should not be taken lightly. You should discuss this decision with your advisor. Requirements in the new major could require you to take additional coursework. Second, changing the major means that you must complete an Undergraduate Change of Major Form to officially change university documents and to transfer your advisement records.

This form (Undergraduate Change of Major form) is available from your advisor or the Office of the Registrar, Burgin E. Dossett Hall, Room 102 or at this link.


What Does it Mean to Select a Major?

One of the most important academic decisions you will make in college is your choice of major. A major is a group of required courses that are related to a particular academic area. For some students, choosing a major is a relatively easy decision. For others, choosing a major requires more time and thought. You will find that some investigation of your personal goals, interests, and abilities, and careful consideration of alternative fields and employment opportunities will lead to a good choice for you. Changing majors can sometimes delay your progress toward graduation so early planning is to your advantage. Students are required to declare a major before earning 60 credits.

Helpful Links

News and Events

SPRING FALL
Early Semester Progress Report (ESPR)
Available in Mid March 		Early Semester Progress Report (ESPR)
Available in Mid October
In March Contact your Advisor for Appointment In October contact your Advisor for Appointment
Registration for Fall and Summer
Beings in Early April 		Registration for Spring
Begins in Early November