Advising Coordinating Committee


Thursday, February 10, 2005

MINUTES

In Attendance: John Mortensen (conducting), Sophie Bassett, Kathy Bayn, Heidi Beck, Dawn Black, Becki Broadbent, Peggy Buttars, Geri Child, Myra Cook, Krystin Deschamps, Brian Evans, Margaret Garr, Fawn Groves, Tressa Haderlie, Lisa Hancock, Ruth Harrison, Harry Heap, Kristie Hinton, Kristy Hodson, Emily Hoffman, Juanita Hunting, Janalee Johnson, Mercedes Kelsey, Peter Kolesar, Marilyn Kruse, Vince Lafferty, Rachel Lewis, Christine Lord, Jana Kay Lunstad, Susie Maughan, Irene McInerney, Betty Murri, Wade Oliver, Cathy Myers-Roche, Susan Parkinson, Darcie Peterson, Sally Peterson, Megen Ralphs, Alene Alder Rangel, Karalee Ransom, Karen Ranson, Deborah Reece, Mary Lou Reynolds, Marcia Roberts, Sylvia Robinson, Carol Sainsbury, Judy Schalow, Lynne Slade, Jeff Sorensen, Tami Spackman, Suzie Stones, Scott Teichert, Heather Thomas, Maureen Wagner, Dennis Welker, Suzann Winn, Eric Worthen

Extension Sites Participating: Blanding, Moab

Excused: Lisa Allen, Amanda Cram, Amanda Peterson, Susan Williams

1. Admission Standards

Jeff Sorensen reported that freshmen numbers were down significantly for Fall Semester. Consequently, an ACT score of 18 will now be accepted, but the index remains at 90. This requires a 2.9 GPA; those with a lower index will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

2. Scholar’s Day (March 7-8)

Scott Teichert indicated that an estimated 400 students who have been awarded scholarships have been invited to attend this event on Monday, March 7. Advisors have been asked to set aside Tuesday, March 8 to meet with approximately 175 of the “best and brightest” scholars. This is an opportunity to make the advising connection and to tell these students what you wish they knew when they enroll at USU. Last year about 80% of these Presidential scholars enrolled at the University

3. Career Fair (March 2)

Melissa Scheaffer indicated that approximately 150 organizations are coming to the Fair which is designed to introduce students to future employers. The day after the fair is historically the biggest recruiting day. This event is not designed for temporary jobs, although summer internships are often secured.

4. Banner Access and Training for Advisors

Ray Quattlebaum from Collegis discussed that in order for effective training to be given, information must be provided from different groups; i.e., students, faculty, advisors, etc. Self Service, Internet Native, and Banner Data Warehouse are sources for information, depending on the need. Data elements need to be identified by each college/department and submitted by email to John at the earliest possible date. Be specific. By September, advisors should have what they need, using Self Service (SSV) which is a point and click program.

Liz Kefauver will coordinate training sessions. There are presently two workshop sessions scheduled; professional advisors or the main faculty advising contact for each department should plan to attend. John Mortensen will provide Liz with a list of information that advisors have requested. Additional hands-on training will be available in the near future.

Workshops that will give an overview of Banner are scheduled for Thursday, February 24, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., and from 12:30 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. Seating is limited, so advisors should reserve their spot for these workshops by e-mailing Stephanie Hamblin (stephanie.hamblin@usu.edu) and indicate which session they would like to attend.

5. Interdisciplinary Studies Major

Jana Kay Lunstad will act as the clearing house for this program. Reviewing transcripts and outlining courses are major elements considered in serving the student. A decision was not reached regarding a CIDL diploma.

6. Major Fair

Every department will be represented at this year’s event, as well as Study Abroad, Honors, Housing, and Financial Aid. Contact Jana Kay Lunstad if you have problems covering your table; student peer advisors can possibly help. Departments will need to supply their own extension cords, if needed. Capability to print transcripts is available at the fair, as are Change of Major forms. An evaluation committee will be formed following the fair.

7. Course Clusters Website Status

John reported that the programmers of the Cluster website are behind schedule. It is likely that a scaled back version of the website will be available for early registration for fall semester, with the fully-programmed, intuitive scheduling version available at a later date. It is anticipated that advisors will be able to see the website by February 23.

8. Banner and Articulation

“Banner is COOL”, according to Rachel Lewis, and transcript and articulation modules will work. Rachel and Brandy Reeves are processing by hand approximately 300 records for fall which will be completed by “go live” date. Articulation data will crosswalk from SIS Plus to Banner; the 17 primary institutions are being loaded directly and most information is accurate. Advisors will be able to look at record and see the USU course equivalent.

9. Changing Majors of Students Who Do Not Meet a Department’s Standards

Many departments expressed concern about the conflict between the University standard of 2.0 and the higher standard of departments. How can we best help students and when do we “cut the thread?” What can we do to bridge the gap between what they want opposed to what they can do? We need to get past the myth that persistence will make the difference.

John suggested that perhaps the Academic Standards Committee needs to reconsider a General Studies degree. He will run an Excel report for data to present to the committee. A policy where students must have a major by the time they have 60 credits, before they can enroll in classes, seems necessary. All advisors need a clear understanding of a uniform process. John will collect data and take it to Academic Standards for discussion.

10. Assessment of Advising

John recently returned from the Advising Assessment Institute. As advisors, we need to form our own plan. A committee will be formed to identify our stakeholders; i.e., students, Assessment, Provost. The committee would report back to ACC quarterly.

A committee will look at outcomes: What do we expect students to know? What do we expect students to do? What do we expect students to value? What are all of the situations in which students receive information about these things? What do we expect advisors to know? What do we expect advisors to do? Etc.

The following advisors expressed willingness to serve on this committee: Myra Cook, Eric Worthen, Megen Ralphs, Brian Evans, Darcie Peterson, Kathy Bayn, Susan Parkinson, Mary Lou Reynolds, Tressa Haderlie, and Ruth Harrison.

Calendar

Majors Fair Feb. 22 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. TSC Sunburst Lounge

Workshop: Banner Overview Feb. 24 11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. MLIB 204

Workshop: Banner Overview Feb. 24 12:30 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. MLIB 204

Career Fair Mar. 2 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. TSC Sunburst Lounge

Scholar’s Day Mar. 7-8 TSC

Advising Coord. Committee Mar. 10 11:00 a.m. MLIB 204


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