VCU improves advising for undergraduate students

VCU has expanded its academic advising services for freshmen and transfer students, creating a more centralized process.

The University College, a new unit within VCU, is advising all new undergraduate students. To do so, the department is hiring 11 advisers, said Seth Sykes, associate dean for the University College.

He said before the creation of the University College, advising was more decentralized and done primarily by each department.

“We are confident the advising we are doing for first-year students will be more successful and help them graduate on time,” Sykes said.

He said University College advisers plan to meet one-on-one with each freshman and transfer student early in the fall semester to get to know them and offer them guidance.

Advisers at University College will call and e-mail all freshmen and transfer students to schedule appointments, Sykes said.

“We make sure all first-year students will have the same opportunities of everybody else, regardless of their major.”

Sophomores, juniors and seniors are advised through their specific departments, he said. Many of those departments are expanding their services, too.

The Department of English, for example, hired Margaret Finkner as student adviser coordinator in July.

Finkner said English undergraduates were having a hard time meeting with faculty members who had limited advising availability. Now, because of her new position, she said students can contact her 40 hours a week.

“The way we’ve set it up now, it’s going to be really successful,” Finkner said. “We’re going to make sure it works.”

The Department of History has also hired a new adviser this year – Sascha Auerbach. He joins Ryan Smith, who has been advising all history students since 2004.

Smith said he will advise half of the department’s 450 students while Auerbach advises the rest.

“It has helped with accessibility,” Smith said. “My door’s open more often than not.”

Smith said he talks to students about school and career goals. He said advisers help students stay on track for graduation by checking classes they have taken and seeing what they need to take.

Smith said it’s important for students to meet with an adviser – the sooner, the better.

“Students who want help are able to get it,” he said. “Solve the problem earlier than trying to fix it later – before it’s too late.”

Sykes said he would like to see improvement in communication between students and advisers. He said students who don’t know their advisers can call the University College at 827-8648 to get this information.

“It is also the student’s responsibility to follow up and communicate with the advisers,” Sykes said. “Come in with questions prepared and respond to your adviser’s communications.”