Responsibilities

As an advisee, you're responsible for asking for help when it's needed, being knowledgeable about your academic major and requirements, and taking the initiative in seeking out the support services that you need to advance your career. As you can see, both advisers and advisees share the responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. Let’s take a moment to look at some of the specific responsibilities within this relationship.

Adviser Responsibilities

• Provide accurate and timely information regarding academic policies and procedures.
• Refer students to the appropriate sources of information, services, and offices.
• Promote active learning and advocate for and support the student.
• Accommodate student inquiries through multiple means of communication, and adjust work schedule where possible to meet student needs.
• Prepare for all scheduled meetings with students.
• Documenting all interactions with, and on behalf of, students.

Student Responsibilities

• Become familiar with institutional policies and procedures by utilizing available resources.
• Communicate with Penn State offices using an official Penn State email address and including Penn State student ID number in the correspondence once student accounts are active.
• Prior to course registration each semester, contact your adviser to review your course selections if you don't understand your degree requirements. If you would like to talk with your adviser in real time, do the following:
  
  • prepare for the meeting by drafting a list of questions,
  • review previous correspondence between yourself and the adviser, and
  • run, review, and have a current degree audit available prior to the meeting.
• Take ownership of your course selections, academic decisions, and the completion of graduation requirements.

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