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Advising is typically a responsibility of the faculty and is part of the teaching expectations. Advising is more than providing assistance to students in scheduling courses. It also entails guiding the students through the processes of the university in preparation for completion of a degree and career success.
Most faculty will have responsibility for advising undergraduate students. First-year students in some colleges will be assigned a professional adviser along with a faculty resource adviser prior to transitioning to a faculty adviser. Each semester, an advising hold is placed on students’ registration. The hold can only be lifted by an adviser, with the expectation that the adviser and student have discussed degree progress, internship opportunities, and career plans. Advisers are expected to meet with students at least once a semester.
Advising resources are available at on the DSU Portal. Four-year plans of study for each major can be found on the university website and in the university catalog.
An academic advisor connects students with information and resources available to support them with academic decision making. Academic advising is completed through the college in which the degree program falls with first-year students being advised by professional advisors in the Learning Engagement Center. Students may contact their adviser or the Learning Engagement Center to get help with questions or with academic planning. Things for an advisor to consider when planning a degree program and courses with a student are:
- Academic Calendar
- Academic Advising Guide Sheets
- Academic Roles and Responsibilities
- Undergrad Majors
- Undergrad Minors
- Undergrad Certificates
- Graduate School
- Where can students see the classes that they have taken so far?
- When can students register?
- What does an advising hold mean?
- How many classes can students withdraw from without it showing up on their transcript?
- Can students take a class from another South Dakota University?
- How many credits do students need to graduate?
- How many General Education credits do students need and what are the categories?
- Who are my advisees?
- How do I access my advisees’ programs of study?
- View course schedules and register for classes
Students may need to make some changes to their degree program, send a transcript, apply for graduation, or transfer in some credits from another college or university. The Registrar’s Office is their point of contact for this; however, they may also come to their advisors with such questions as:
- Program Update form (changing/adding a major/minor or changing an advisor)
- Course Substitution form
- Application for graduation
- Sending a transcript
- Transferring credits from another college or university
- Withdrawing from DSU
Students may also ask for guidance when having trouble in a class, needing to schedule an exam, ask about their financial aid, and other things. The following are some resources that can help you guide them:
- Testing Center (to schedule online, make-up, extended time, etc., exams)
- Tutoring (for students having academic trouble in a course)
- Writing Center (for students who need help with an essay, research paper, or other writing assignment)
- Counseling Center (for students having emotional/ mental health issues)
- Career and Professional Services Office (for students who want to create or refine a resume, or need job hunting/ skills assistance)
- Financial Aid Office
- Online Education Office
- ROTC/ Military
DSU uses remote proctoring services at no charge to the students to monitor off-campus examinations. Two mechanisms are available to faculty and students: the Respondus LockDown Browser, which integrates seamlessly with learning D2L, and Respondus Monitor, in which students use a webcam to record themselves during an online exam.
Tutor.com is an online tutoring platform. Students can access Tutor.com using the Help dropdown menu inside every course in D2L.
The DSU Writing Center & Writing Center Online provide reading and writing support to students across a variety of disciplines. In addition to one-on-one consultations, the Writing Center offers group workshops in reading, study skills, scholarly formatting, research, and a variety of other topics. Learning assistants are available to meet in person (at Beadle Hall 112) or via Skype or Zoom, and will provide asynchronous feedback on a piece of writing through a D2L dropbox folder. The English program is responsible for the operation of the Writing Center.
Banner Self Service is a web interface that provides access to information contained in the student information system. Faculty use Banner to view class rosters, post grades, and to check for available courses for advisees.
DSU has an early alert system to promote the success of students. Faculty are expected to identify students who may be under performing or not attending in their classes at regular intervals during the semester. A case-management system is designed to follow-up with students who are identified as needing additional support to succeed.
Students are provided an opportunity to record non-traditional learning experiences equivalent to coursework provided at DSU. Credit may be evaluated and recorded only for degree-seeking students currently enrolled at DSU or graduates of DSU seeking enhanced certification, licensure or employment opportunities. Non-traditional credit may include Advanced Placement, College Level Examination Program (CLEP), Department Credit-By-Examination, prior learning/work experience, or military credit. Military credits are evaluated according to guidelines set forth by the American Council on Education.
DSU participates in the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) as part of its overall Credit by Examination policy. CLEP tests are administered by the DSU Testing Center. Students may also earn college credit for work accomplished while in high school if they participated in the Advanced Placement Program of the College Examination Board. SD BOR Policy 2.2.2.5 CLEP Guidelines and SD BOR 2.2.2.5A3 Advanced Placement Guidelines.
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