Advisor Best Practices
General Advisement Handbook
- Respect student confidentiality rights regarding personal information.
-
Practice with an understanding of the institution’s interpretation of applicable laws such as the
Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). -
Seek access to and use student information only when the information is relevant to the advising
process. Advisors enter or change information as relevant to the advising process. Advisors
enter or change information on students’ records only with appropriate institutional
authorizations to do so. -
Document advising contacts adequately to meet institutional disclosure guidelines and aid in
subsequent advising interactions.¹ - Establish and adhere to reasonable weekly office hours, be available for advising appointments, and expand hours during registration and add/drop periods.
- Understand the mechanics and deadlines of enrolling students, such as preparing course schedules, adding and dropping classes, closed-class options, special enrollment forms, and knowing the contacts in the Registrar’s Office
- Understand how to read a degree audit report.
- Understand University grading and Probation/Dismissal policies.
- Be familiar with the variety of University degree and program offerings, departmental and University requirements, as well as General Education requirements (as explained in the SUNY Brockport Undergraduate Studies Catalog).
- Share information about opportunities in their major and intended career field (e.g., internships, practicums, volunteer and service-learning opportunities).
¹From the Exposition of National Academic Advising Association C
Additional Information
Student Policies
National Academic Advising Association (NACADA)
National Clearinghouse for Academic Advising