Advising at Berry
Academic advising is an institution-wide effort at Berry College. All faculty, except newcomers, have a cluster of advisees, the average size of which is about 15. New faculty receive instruction in the advising program and after a semester or two are assigned advisees in their major area. Several professional staff members from the student-affairs area are trained to advise students who have not declared a major.
New freshmen may declare a major at the time of their enrollment. They receive their first advisor when they come to their summer orientation, as do transfer students. At these Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration (SOAR) sessions, freshmen meet with their advisors for a period of developmental advising in which they get to know the members of their group and the expectations of the college in their academic program. They meet with their advisor and discuss their fall courses. The advisor serves as the instructor for the fall BCC 100 courses.
Advisors continue with an assigned advisee until he/she declares a major or changes from one major to another. At these times, the transfer process to the appropriate school and a new advisor is begun.
Regular workshops on advising are held for all advisors. To assist faculty and staff in the advising process, the coordinator of advising makes available an annually updated handbook. Other resources for advising are provided by the registrar and the dean of admissions.
For further information, contact kmckee@berry.edu.