Purpose:
The purpose of this policy is to communicate the Advising Center’s role in supporting Dyersburg State Community College (DSCC) Policy 04:01:03:00 – Advising of Students.
Scope:
This policy applies to DSCC personnel and DSCC students.
Policy:
The DSCC Advising Center is committed to quality academic advising which fosters student growth and development. Additionally, the Advising Center offers current and prospective students information and resources about DSCC’s academic programs as well as opportunities and resources to assist students in identifying their educational and career goals.
Advising Centers are located on the Dyersburg campus, at the DSCC Gibson County Center and at the DSCC Jimmy Naifeh Center at Tipton County. These Advising Centers are the physical location where students can receive academic advising and career exploration. The Advising Centers serve the following:
- Prospective students
- First-time freshmen
- Transfer students
- Transient students
- Degree-seeking students
- Certificate-seeking students
- Non-degree students
A secondary role of the Advising Centers is to support the academic advising needs of current and new students who are unable to meet with their assigned academic advisor.
The Advising Centers are operational beginning the first day of Priority Registration and close the day before classes begin in the fall and spring semesters. Staff academic advisors and Master Advisors support the Advising Centers during the summer months. The staff academic advisors and Master Advisors who serve in the Advising Centers are expected to complete an extensive training prior to serving. All faculty advisors are expected to serve in one of the three Advising Centers in the months of January and August.The number of days faculty advisors are expected to serve in the Advising Centers is determined by the Vice President for the College.
The Advising Centers promote the use of an online appointment scheduling system in which students can select the date, time and location to meet with an advisor. In cooperation with the staff of the One Stop Centers on the Dyersburg campus and at the Centers, students learn how to schedule an advising appointment. Students who desire to see an Advising Center academic advisor but do not have an appointment are served as time permits. If multiple advisors are available in the Advising Centers, one is assigned to meet with students who do not have an appointment, freeing the other advisors to work with those students who have scheduled appointments.
The Advising Center Director is responsible for the daily operations of the Advising Centers. In cooperation with the staff of the One Stop Centers, faculty and staff academic advisors are well equipped with academic advising materials necessary to provide an optimal experience for the students served.
Compliance:
All faculty and staff who work in the Advising Centers, along with the staffs of the One Stop Centers, are responsible for adhering to this policy.
Definitions:
Academic Advising – A student support service that guides students through academic and career goal attainment by using interpersonal communication, self-discovery and referrals.
Academic Advisor – Serves as facilitator or guide to academic advising. Each student has an assigned academic advisor to facilitate communication, coordinate student learning experiences, serve as a resource on institutional policies and procedures, and make referrals to other campus departments and services.
Advising Centers – The physical location where students can receive academic advising support.
Master Advisors – Faculty advisors who have completed an extensive professional development program focused on the informational, technological and psycho-social aspects of academic advising.
One Stop Centers – Centrally-located unit which provides services and information most often needed by prospective and current students including admission, academic records, registration, advising, financial aid, payment of fees and testing. A One Stop Center is located on the Dyersburg campus, at the DSCC Gibson County Center and at the DSCC Jimmy Naifeh Center at Tipton County.
Priority Registration – A period of approximately two weeks in which advising and registration are available to currently enrolled DSCC students. Priority Registration is held in November for the upcoming spring semester and in April for the upcoming summer and fall terms.
Pre-Registration – A period of advising and registration following Priority Registration and available to all students.
Registration – Process in which students enroll in course sections for an upcoming term
Revision History:
Policy written May 2005. Policy revised June 2013; approved by Administrative Council on 06/26/13.