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Academic Advising

Handbook » Academic Information » Academic Advising

Advising at Marlboro is central to the mission of the College: to "teach students to think clearly and to learn independently within a structured program of liberal studies." Its success depends on three important components: the student, the faculty advisor, and, in support of both, the Director of Advising.

Dedicated Hour

The Dedicated Hour is one of the advising mechanisms by which students and advisors meet on a regular basis on Wednesdays. Advising groups may discuss academic matters and issues of community import and/or engage in context-related activities. Advising groups contain students from each year, and coalesce around a general academic interest.

Responsibilities of the Student

The student's active participation in the advising relationship is crucial to the development and achievement of his or her educational goals. The responsibilities of the student are outlined below.

To attend, participate, and engage fully in the Dedicated Hour.
To develop academic goals by taking advantage of appropriate college resources such as consultation with the advisor, Plan workshops, the Course Book & Plan Guide, and the Handbook.
To become familiar with graduation requirements and all other academic policies as well as to meet all registration and Plan application deadlines.
To take responsibility for academic choices.
To consult with the advisor concerning changes (adds and drops) to an already approved registration.
To consult with the advisor when in academic difficulty and especially after receiving a letter of academic warning at mid-term or being placed on academic probation at the end of the semester.
To keep appointments.
To change advisors if there is not a good fit or if the advisor is going on sabbatical.
To seek additional help from other College resources when necessary.

Responsibilities of the Advisor

The faculty advisor plays a vital role in the intellectual growth of the Marlboro student. The advisor is not only an experienced guide to the curriculum and the institution but is active in helping the student to set educational goals and to work toward meeting them. The advisor's help occurs in different ways at two distinct times during the student's undergraduate years: (1) in the first two years when the student is discovering new avenues of learning, sharpening skills, and building a foundation for advanced work; and (2) in the final two years when the student is on Plan, committed to a narrower and more focused study.

While the advisor is expected to introduce, inform, and offer advice, the most critical part of the advisor's role is to listen, discuss, challenge, assist, collaborate, and model activities that are a natural extension of teaching. The responsibilities of the advisor are listed below.

To facilitate the collaborative functioning of the Dedicated Hour.
To introduce the student to the academic
program by explaining the principles informing the organization and the aims of the curriculum.
To work with the student in planning his or her academic program, paying particular attention to Marlboro's goals that each student:
- study broadly each semester of the first two years, including courses in several
  different disciplines;
- become acquainted with the interests, methods and teaching styles of as many faculty members as possible; and
- develop and improve fundamental skills including clear writing, careful reading,
  critical analysis, and numeracy.
To approve the student's course registration for the semester, including any "drops" or "adds."
To encourage the student to follow the recommendations of the English Committee after the Writing Placement Exam and to help the student understand and prepare for meeting the Clear Writing Requirement.
To provide preliminary information about the nature of the Plan and the role of the first two years in preparation for going on Plan.
To be available for consultation during posted office hours or by appointment.
To encourage advisees to meet with the advisor regularly and to notify the Director of Advising when difficulties arise.
To refer the student to other College resources to meet individual needs. Advisors are not expected to be counselors.
To assist the student in changing advisors when appropriate.

Responsibilities of the Director of Advising

The Director of Advising coordinates all aspects of academic advising, including:

Assigning incoming students to academic advisors,
Working with faculty on agendas for Dedicated Hours,
Assisting faculty and students with academic issues,
Following up academic concerns raised by faculty,
Providing information sessions on the Plan,
Overseeing the Peer Advising Program.

Marlboro College