Encouraging them to formulate an academic program appropriate to their individual interests and activities. Assisting them in evaluating their academic progress and performance. Furnishing them an opportunity to explore the purposes of the liberal arts education. Students first meet their academic advisors during the orientation period prior to the first term. They are randomly assigned to a general advisor.
General advisors are either faculty members or professional advisors.
Student-advisor contact during orientation occurs over two days and includes a group meeting and two personal interviews. The student and advisor become acquainted during the first interview and explore the student's interests and academic purpose. They then plan the student's first term elections during the second interview. The staff advisors follow up these contacts by inviting their orientation students to come in for an appointment after the fall term has begun. The expectation is that many students will want to discuss their adjustments to the academic challenge in the College with their advisors at this time.