Academic Affairs seek changes in advisement process

One of the biggest transitions in life is from high school to college and if not properly advised, you could have a bad first semester.
Many students’ experience difficulties when it comes time to graduation. Some may believe that their classes are in order but really are not.
“It’ really crucial for students to be able to navigate the right curriculum that is needed,” said Dr. Johnny Tolliver, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.
Since there have been many problems with missing credits in the past, Tolliver believes that he has come up with a system to make sure that these problems do not continue.
He plans on making sure that all students will have an academic adviser so that they will be kept on track for when graduation approaches.
“I want to implement a system to whereas students will have to seek their adviser prior to registering online for courses,” said Tolliver.
Tolliver wants students to consult with their adviser about the courses that are needed either by email or phone so that the students will have access to JagNet to input their courses.
“I usually see more students the week of graduation then any other day and I want to make sure that it doesn’t happen like this in the future,” said Tolliver.
Since some students apply for graduation with not knowing that they might be missing some credit hours, they are still able to participate in graduation. A policy was implemented whereas students are still considered to walk across the stage regardless of missing credit hours.
Tolliver said that many students end up making up their credit hours the following semester and then receiving their diploma later.
Financial Aid plays a major part in advisement as well. If a student goes below the required full-time number of credit hours (12), then their financial aid award can be lowered, changed or may create a balance owed to the university. Dropping or withdrawing from all of your classes can also impact your ability to meet the requirements for satisfactory academic progress.
According to FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), the amount of financial aid is prorated based upon 12 or more hours. If a student drops from full-time status the amount of financial aid will be adjusted, or reduced and may cause the student have to go through their university appeals process to earn or qualify for financial aid the following semester or academic year.
Tolliver said that last academic school year over 1,500 appeals were processed due to students falling below the standards of either dropping below 12 credit hours, GPA or change in financial aid status.
SAP (Satisfactory Academic Progress) is apart of Financial Aid guidelines when a student falls below or is suspended.
The changes to the advisement will take effect sometime in this upcoming academic school year. Tolliver said that they are currently waiting for a complete print out of all the students at the university.
As of now the School of Engineering and the School of Architecture have completed the advisement process.