Our Take
January 26, 2009 by The Red and Black Archives
Filed under Opinions
Alarming advising
Students should not blame advisers when they don’t graduate on time
“Advising is broken.”
“Because of my adviser, I couldn’t graduate on time.”
“Many people have had inept and clueless advisers who give bad advice or don’t know what they are talking about.”
Of the 280 comments on the National Survey on Student Engagement released last fall, 30 students said something negative about the advising process.
Though 30 isn’t many, Anne Crowther, associate vice president for instruction who oversees undergraduate academic advising, spoke with the Academic Advising Coordinating Council.
Friday, the council and the Student Government Association held a forum and asked students and faculty to explain their concerns.
Some pointed to a lack of communication. Others said mentoring by professors and upperclassmen is important.
For those of us on The Red & Black’s editorial board, advising has been a breeze. We walk in the advising office prepared and walk out reassured we’re making the right decisions for another semester.
Our advice? Get your act together, students.
We’re not denying there are probably mistakes here and there. After all, advisers are humans who are juggling hundreds of files each day.
But are you really trying to say you didn’t graduate on time because of someone else?
This is college, not high school. You’ve picked your major, and now your education is your responsibility. Before you walk in the advising office, you should know what classes you need to take and fit them into your schedule.
The Degree Audit Advisement Report is on OASIS for a reason. Your advisers are merely there to give you the best advice and clear you to sign up for classes. Now that’s a novel idea.
If you don’t think you should be taking a second biology class, say something about it. If the adviser suggests an elective that doesn’t quite fit with your personality or goals, change it.
These decisions aren’t locked. You don’t have to take all the adivce you get.
What the students emphasized at the forum – communication and mentoring – is common sense. Talk to older students, professors and your advisers.
Invest yourself in what’s important (graduating, perhaps?) and you’ll get the most out of it.
- Carolyn Crist for the editorial board
New Years, Part II
For the Chinese New Year, we’re getting you up to speed on your birth year.
Barack Obama is an ox.
We can’t help but note the coincidence of 2009’s Chinese New Year zodiac and the 44th president’s birth year in 1961.
It’s in the stars. If you were born in 1985, you share these personality traits with our new chief: Oxen are patient and thoughtful, careful with their words and instill confidence in others. They make good leaders and take initiative in problematic scenarios. They can be stubborn, especially with their loyalty to loved ones.
Today marks the beginning of the Chinese Year of the Ox which lasts until Feb. 13, 2010.
In case you’re not sure of your zodiac sign, we’ve got the lowdown on common ones around the University.
Feb. 9, 1986 – Jan. 28, 1987: Tigers are free spirits who exhibit contradicting personality traits: petty but virtuous, patient but short-tempered. They often can’t up their minds, but they also easily earn respect and affection.
Jan. 29, 1987 – Feb. 16, 1988: Rabbits know how to get ahead. They are kind and sweet and often are noted for physical beauty. Although very romantic, Rabbits often have trouble committing in relationships.
Feb. 17, 1988 – Feb. 5, 1989: Dragons have natural charisma and innately good luck. Because of this, though, they can sometimes come off as ruthless and judgmental.
Feb. 6, 1989 – Jan. 26, 1990: Snakes thrive in interesting, challenging conversations but can easily fall into a critical and calculating mindset.
Jan. 27, 1990 – Feb. 14, 1991: Horses are witty and independent to a fault. They can be quick-tempered and childish when things fail to go their way.
So here’s to the new year, and all of you Oxen out there.
- Chelsea Cook and Megan Otto for the editorial board
