54 / 106
49
CHAPTER IV: ACADEMIC POLICIES AND SERVICES
IV.A. TEACHING AND ACADEMIC ADVISING
IV.A.1. Teaching Methods
Each faculty member can determine the best teaching methods for his or her own use. All faculty
members, however, are encouraged to consult with colleagues and to visit each other's classes.
IV.A.2. Academic Advising
Faculty members are asked to serve as academic advisors both to new students and to students
who choose the faculty member's discipline as a major field. Each year many faculty members
are asked by the Provost to serve as advisors to a group of new students assigned to them.
Advisors work closely with advisees during fall orientation and throughout the first year.
All faculty advisors are responsible for approving course plans and course changes for their
advisees. An advisor should be familiar with all of the
Catalogrequirements and remain aware
of the importance of careful advising; a faculty member in the role of academic advisor is
making commitments for the College. He or she should remind advisees, however, that they are
also responsible for acquainting themselves with the requirements for the degree and career goal
toward which they are working and for arranging their courses of study accordingly.
Specifically, faculty advisors should remind their advisees to schedule a “graduation check” with
the Degree Audit Specialist, preferably in the spring of his or her junior year. Faculty advisors
are expected to assist students in every way possible, but the final responsibility for meeting all
requirements for a degree rests upon the individual student. Advisors should keep student
records at least two years after the student graduates or last attends the College.
Students may change advisors at any time, although first-year students are encouraged to remain
with their original advisor throughout the first year. To change advisors, a student completes the
appropriate form, available in the Academic Records Office.
IV.A.3. Advising Mission Statement
The following Advising Mission Statement was accepted by the Faculty, December, 1995:
Comprehensive advising is an integral part of the academic program at
Birmingham-Southern College. We aim to provide students with the
resources and skills that will enable them to achieve full potential in and
out of college. Each student has a faculty advisor who assists the student
with academic matters, with the consideration and setting of goals, and
with learning to make decisions. The faculty advisor also serves as a
resource person for the numerous services (such as career and personal
counseling) and programs that are available to aid in the student's