Joint Responsibilities of Advisees and Advisement Deans

Academic advising is one of the most important services you will receive while you are at Hofstra University. The process of academic advising is a two-way interaction, where the advisee and the advisement deans work together to achieve a common goal, and each party has responsibilities to fulfill in order for the process to work. All students have the ultimate responsibility for satisfying the entire sequence of courses required for the degree. However, advisement deans can help them sort through various options, recommend appropriate combinations, and offer feedback on the consequences of various academic decisions.

Depending upon your status at the University, at any one point your advisement dean may be a faculty member in your major department or an academic dean from the Center for University Advisement. Here are some guidelines to let you know what your academic dean expects of you and what you should expect of your academic dean.

Advisee Responsibilities

• Schedule appointments promptly and keep them. Contact the Center for University Advisement (463-6770), University Tutorial Program (463-3500) or your faculty adviser, as appropriate, if it is necessary for you to reschedule your appointment.
• Read the relevant pages describing your general degree requirements in the Hofstra University Bulletin for the year you entered the University, and read also the requirements for your particular major.
• Ask specific questions about general requirements, academic policies and procedures, academic standards, and resource referrals (tutoring, career/major exploration, study skills workshops, etc.).
• Prepare a tentative schedule of classes you are considering taking during the upcoming semester.
• Provide accurate information to your adviser about your courses, instructors, study habits, and academic progress.
• Listen to your advisement dean and consider his or her advice and recommendation.

Advisement Dean Responsibilities

• Keep appointments, and contact advisee if it is necessary to reschedule.
• Be prepared by having appropriate resource materials (Hofstra University Bulletin and schedule book, information about campus resources, etc.).
• Provide accurate and specific information regarding core requirements, academic policies and procedures, academic standards, and resource referrals.
• Listen to and assist advisee in making decisions and solving problems.
• Suggest options concerning careers, majors, and selection of courses.