Welcome to the Advising Manual Website (use sidebar navigation)
Recent Announcements and Current Hot Issues (Check here on a regular basis)
Conceptual Issues (Philosophical and ethical issues, NACADA core values of advising)
Relational Issues (Strategies/tactics for advising, skills, info on special groups)
Informational Issues (Rules, regulations, requirements, referral information)
"Good advising may be the single most underestimated characteristic of a successful college experience." Light, R.J. (2001) Making the most of college. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
Structure of this site. This site is organized in accordance with the philosophy of the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA), and is based on the principles that:
- Advising is critical. Good advising is critical to student success and persistence.
- Advising is teaching. We help students advance from dependence to independence in decision-making.
- Advising is a developmental process. More than class registration, it involves the entire college experience.
Student Advising Pages. The resource above this section provides students and advisors with many useful pages of information on strategies and tactics (including a student success manual). Feel free to direct students to these resources, and use them as part of your advising practice.
A disclaimer. This site is designed to provide information, strategies and tactics for developing skills as an advisor. The materials are drawn from national practice (NACADA) and from local sources. It is intended to be an ongoing work-in-progress reference on what might be done, not the ultimate statement of what must be done. There are many ways to approach advising. This site will provide you with a solid background upon which to base your practice. Pick and choose what you need.
AS OF FALL TERM 2007, only the most basic resources could be posted. These are primarily for new advisors. The initial iteration is very heavy on the practical, tactical side. During Winter term 2008, much more will be added to this site.
Any questions, comments, or suggestions should be directed to Dr. Kay Grimnes at grimnes@alma.edu. I designed this site and I am responsible for the contents (and I left some typos for you to find).
