The roles of advisers and tutors were drawn into the spotlight this week after allegations surfaced that members of the Gophers basketball team had course work done for them by a university employee. According to NCAA rules, the university can't pay for any assistance to athletes that is not offered to other students. For instance, the university can pay for an athlete's tutoring sessions because other students have that option. However, the university can't pay to have an athlete's papers typed, a service not offered to other students. And, of course, the university and the NCAA require students to do their own course work.
Academic advisers help students pick which courses to take and when, and plan college careers.
They may serve hundreds and don't usually help with specific assignments. For that kind of assistance, students see tutors. The university offers free tutoring in many subjects, usually on campus. Here's how it works in one of the colleges. Advanced students have academic advisers in departments within the institute, such as physics or mathematics.