Introduction
Statement of the faculty of NDSU regarding academic advising
College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources faculty statement regarding academic advising
Glossary of academic terms
Academic advising procedures
Academic advising faculty goals
Academic advising faculty responsibilities
Academic advising rights of students
Academic advising student responsibilities
Some useful resources
Where to find academic information
Appendix A: Semester time schedule
Appendix B: Cash flow analysis

Success in college is somewhat dependent on intellectual ability, but much more on drive, discipline, and persistence, the same characteristics that lead to success in most endeavors. No one can guarantee success. However, experience suggests that there are factors that improve the opportunity to succeed in higher education. Successful students take advantage of the many resources made available by the College and the University.

College students are more often successful in their education if they select their major (career) early in their college experience. Finding a college or university where you fit, both academically and socially, also is important in your quest for an academic degree.

Once you have decided to attend college and have selected a major, the following will contribute significantly to your academic success:

1. Working with an informed and caring adviser.
2. Attending and participating in classes.
3. Studying the information as soon as possible after class.
4. Studying the information several times and in several different ways.
5. Forming or joining a subject study group.
6. Being disciplined in your approach to your education and taking charge of your future.

1. Prepare and follow a time management document. (Appendix A)

2. Prepare and monitor a financial analysis for the academic year. (Appendix B)

3. Learn how to take notes and prepare for examinations.

4. Become active in extra-curricular activities (clubs, student government, or community volunteer organizations).

This booklet was prepared by the NDSU College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources Advising Committee to help students in the College better understand the advising process and to use the process in achieving success.

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Statement of the faculty of North Dakota State University regarding academic advising:

"The academic advising program at NDSU is designed to facilitate the student's intellectual and personal growth, to assist students in using University resources, and to guide students in making informed choices regarding academic and career plans."

College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources faculty statement regarding academic advising:

"Advising in the College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources is an important on-going series of events. It stimulates and supports students in their pursuit of an enriched quality of life while they adapt to college and university life and to society as a whole. It is a systematic process based on a close and caring student-faculty adviser relationship. This relationship is intended to guide students to achieve intellectual, educational, and professional goals by taking advantage of the full range of institutional and community resources."

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Glossary of Academic Terms

Academic advising - A systematic process based on a close student-faculty adviser relationship intended to help students use the full range of university and community resources to achieve educational, career and personal goals. The advising process both stimulates and supports students in their quest for an enriched quality of life.

Adviser's student academic file - Located in the adviser's or the departmental office, the file contains important academic information regarding the individual student. Information in the file is accessible to the student upon request.

ALFI system (Access Line For Information) - A computerized Touchtone telephone system available to students for registration and as a source of academic information. Information on using the system is available in the registration schedule.

Call number - A computer-generated number assigned to a course for registration purposes.

Class permit - If a class is closed and no additional sections are available, the department offering the course MAY issue a permit to allow registration in the closed class. The permit must be taken to the registration site and the class added to the student's class registration. Permits are also required when the call number is not printed in the registration schedule.

FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) - A federal act that provides certain rights to students concerning their education records. The primary rights are the right to inspect and review education records, the right to seek to have the records amended and the right to have some control over the disclosure of information from the records.

Permit to Register - A document used by new students that contains information for their initial registration for classes.

NAID - A computer-generated number which is the student's permanent identification number at NDSU. It appears on the student ID card and is used in registration and other university transactions. It is helpful to memorize this number.

Office of Registration and Records - In collaboration with the major department, this office manages a centralized academic support center for academic advising on campus. The current Office of Registration and Records liaison for the College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources is Shayla Durick, Ceres Hall 110, phone 231-8718.

On-site registration - A period following ALFI registration and prior to the start of classes when students may register at a central location (IACC).

Registration hold - A procedure whereby the faculty adviser or selected offices on campus (e.g. Business, Financial Aid, Registration and Records) can prevent the student from registering. A hold means you need to visit the office that placed the hold or your adviser for information on releasing the hold.

Registration schedule - A bulletin published three times a year (fall, spring, summer) which contains a schedule of classes taught during the term and detailed information on registration procedures and rules.

Tri-College registration - North Dakota State University, Concordia College and Minnesota State University Moorhead allow students to enroll in courses offered at any of the three institutions. Visit your adviser or the Office of Registration and Records for procedures.

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Academic Advising Procedures

Assignment of faculty advisers - Following admission to North Dakota State University and the selection of an academic program in the College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources, each student is initially assigned a faculty adviser by the department offering the program.

Advisers for students majoring in interdisciplinary programs - Four majors in the College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources draw upon faculty and course work from several departments/colleges. These majors are biotechnology, food science, natural resources management and plant protection. Students enrolled in one of these majors will initially be assigned to an adviser by the faculty member who is coordinating the major.

Undecided about major - Students interested in agriculture who have not selected a major area of study should follow the exploratory program in general agriculture. They will be assigned a general agriculture adviser by the faculty member who is coordinating this program. The present coordinator is Dr. Dwain Meyer, Loftsgard Hall 470E, phone 231-8154.

Double major - Students pursuing two majors will be assigned an adviser in each of the majors.

Ag articulation students - Several North Dakota colleges and universities that offer two-year programs in agriculture have entered into an articulation arrangement with the NDSU College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources that assures a "seamless" transfer by two-year ag students into a four-year ag program at NDSU. Students enrolled in these two-year programs who plan to transfer to NDSU are considered to be enrolled at both the NDSU College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources and their home school. These "dual enrollment" students are assigned an adviser at NDSU in addition to the adviser at their current institution. The coordinator at NDSU is Robert Harrold, Hultz Hall 178, phone 231-7659.

Meeting with your adviser - When you arrive on campus for orientation or class registration, you will meet with your assigned academic adviser (a faculty member from your major department). Your adviser will assist you in selecting courses to ensure satisfactory progress toward graduation and help interpret university and college policies and requirements. [Click here for a list of faculty adviser responsibilities.]

If your adviser in unavailable - Occasionally, particularly during the summer, your assigned adviser may not be available due to vacations, field research or other commitments. If your adviser is unavailable, your major department can assign a temporary adviser.

Changing advisers in your major department - It is important that you feel comfortable visiting with your adviser. If you are not satisfied, or if you would prefer an adviser whose academic interests relate more closely to your career goals, find a new adviser! Contact the department chair or secretary or your present adviser for information on selecting a new adviser.

Changing major and department - Talk to your present adviser, then go to the new academic major department for assistance. Submit a "major/minor/adviser change" form to the Office of Registration and Records (Ceres 110).

Changing colleges - Talk to your present adviser then go to Counseling & Disability Services, Ceres 212.

Procedures for evaluating the advising process - Students in the College will have the opportunity to evaluate their advisers and the advising process through the use of an adviser evaluation form. The form will be available from all faculty advisers in the College and from department offices.

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Academic advising: faculty goals

1. To inspire students to understand their freedom of choice.
2. To encourage students to accept active responsibility for academic progress and planning.
3. To assist students in exploring short-term, intermediate and life-long goals by becoming involved in beneficial educational activities that contribute to a complete university experience.
4. To guide the advisee toward selecting an academic program appropriate to meeting his or her goals.
5. To give students the benefit of the advisers' expertise in their academic fields.
6. To project ahead as much as the program will allow when helping advisees plan their academic schedules.
7. To provide guidance and referrals for advisees who are having academic problems or other difficulties.

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Academic advising: faculty responsibilities

1. Maintain complete and accurate advisee records and safeguard confidentiality.
2. Get to know advisees as individuals.
3. Create an atmosphere of caring professional concern for advisees.
4. Furnish accurate information regarding academic policies and procedures.
5. Refer advisees to appropriate campus and/or community resources as needed.
6. Help advisees clarify their educational and career goals and objectives.
7. Help advisees develop appropriate courses of study.
8. Monitor academic decision-making inform advisees about relevant alternatives, limitations and potential consequences of academic decisions, but allow them to make their own informed decisions.
9. Encourage timely progress toward a degree.
10. Reinforce the concept to advisees that the ultimate responsibility for their academic outcome is the student's.
11. Provide relevant information on post-undergraduate opportunities, including careers, graduate and professional schools, etc.
12. Provide help or referrals for students with special needs.
13. Advocate ethical and professional conduct in all academic endeavors.
14. Be available for advisees.
15. Serve as a role model.
16. Serve as advisee's advocate when appropriate.
17. Be aware of the unique needs of advisees.
18. Be a resource for advisees not only in strictly academic matters but, more broadly, in other ways that encourage their intellectual and personal growth.
    
    

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Academic advising: rights of students

1. The right to an adviser who fulfills the North Dakota State University College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources advising goals and responsibilities.
2. The right to timely access to an assigned adviser.
3. The right to protection and review of academic advising-related files and materials in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
4. The right to receive pertinent and accurate information as needed for academic, career and employment planning.
5. The right to request a change of academic adviser assignment.
6. The right to clear procedures for communicating opinions about the quality of advising help provided.
7. The right to make one's own decisions.

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Academic advising: student responsibilities

1. Make an effort to get to know the adviser.
2. Maintain an academic advising and career planning file.
3. Know the degree requirements and other relevant academic policies and procedures.
4. Complete academic requirements in a timely manner.
5. Initiate timely career and academic inquiries and discussions with adviser.
6. Make regular progress appointments and also see adviser for assistance when questions or problems arise.
7. Prepare a list of questions or concerns prior to meeting with the adviser.
8. Prepare a list of desired and alternative courses prior to meeting with the adviser.
9. Be considerate of your adviser: schedule advising appointments, whenever possible, and arrive promptly.
10. Take responsibility for your decisions.

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Resources

Where To Find Academic Information

Appendix A

Semester Time Schedule

Make sure you schedule study time for the week. Suggested weekly minimum study time:

One-credit class — study two hours per week

Two-credit class — study three hours per week

Three-credit class — study five hours per week

Appendix B

Cash Flow Analysis

Academic Year__________________________ 
Name___________________________________  
Local Bank_____________________________ 

Income                                  Variable Expenses 
 Salary           ______________         Clothing           ____________
 Dividends        ______________         Laundry/Cleaning   ____________
 Interest         ______________         Personal Care      ____________
 Financial Aid    ______________         Entertainment      ____________
 Other Income     ______________         Travel/Gasoline    ____________
                                         Recreation         ____________
Total             ______________         Gifts              ____________
                                         Health Care        ____________
Fixed Expenses                           Personal Allowance ____________
 Tuition          ______________         Snacks/Beverages   ____________
 Room             ______________         Other              ____________
 Board            ______________
 Books            ______________         Total              ____________
 Supplies         ______________           
 Fees: 
  Matriculation   ______________
  (one-time fee)                         Total Income       ____________
  Lab/Instruction ______________
  Parking         ______________         Total Expenses     ____________
  Photo I.D.      ______________
  (one-time fee)                         Balance (+/-)      ____________
  Residence Hall 
  Deposit         ______________           
  (one-time fee) 
  Student Health  ______________
  Technology      ______________
 Other            ______________

Total             ______________