Quality academic advising in higher education is the product of a multitude of elements not the least of which is institutional vision. By recognizing and embracing an institution's concept of its capabilities and the kinds of educated human beings it is attempting to cultivate, advisors gain an invaluable apparatus to guide the provision of…

The development, use, and improvement of a handbook to assist faculty advisors in learning and understanding the institution's advising system are described. Costs, formats, and specific content items are discussed. (MSE)

A focus group was formed at Brigham Young University (Utah) to gain student perspectives on advising services and materials. The approach has helped the institution refine its materials and content to match students' developmental needs, involve students in program evaluation, and improve administrator sensitivity to student needs. (MSE)

California Lutheran University's seven-week freshman seminar focuses on building relationships and helping students make decisions about their college and occupational careers. Issues arising in the course's evolution include the role of peer advisors, major vs. non-major advising, maintaining institution-wide support, and credit and academic…

An American academic advisor compares U.S. systems and techniques with those in several English institutions. Problems unique to the English institutions include certain customs and attitudes and lack of flexibility in the educational system, and similarities include some administrative problems and the need for acceptance of the service. (MSE)

Literature on faculty relationships with new students (freshmen and transfers) as it relates to orientation programs is reviewed, and an experimental Brigham Young freshman mentoring program and its outcomes are discussed. Short-range goals were achieved, students were positively influenced, and program continuance was supported. (MSE)

The freshman orientation process at Fordham College is used to illustrate the processes and advantages of building a sense of community for freshmen, one element supporting successful advising. Among the techniques used was a Values Program, a grouping of courses to encourage learning and stimulate moral development among students. (MSE)

Data collected during new-student orientation on nontraditional-age and traditional-age first-time students indicated more psychosocial similarities than differences between them. Results suggest that first-entry nontraditional students experience some of the same needs and concerns in higher education as do their younger peers. Referrals to…

The use of a comprehensive academic advising program in conjunction with a sustained academic orientation program through the freshman year has resulted in a 13.27 percent increase in the retention rate of high-risk students at a regional campus of Pennsylvania State University. The components of CORE are described. (Author/MLW)

Brigham Young University's College Advising Center, staffed by faculty and nonfaculty advisors, provides traditional academic advising, maintenance of students' advising files, evaluation of transfer credit for major requirements, new-student orientation, maintaining and publishing degree requirement profiles, faculty assistance, registration…

A Michigan State University group advising program designed to provide a more intrusive advising format for freshmen and sophomores on probation and reluctant to meet with advisors is described. The program has helped students better understand the skills needed to maintain academic excellence. Results of the activity suggest it has been a…

A study found college honors (n=231) and nonhonors (n=709) first-year students were similar in extracurricular interests, educational objectives, and some study habits; they reported differences in most other areas. Findings have implications for advising both groups, such as placement of emphasis on format of academic courses, orientation to…