Fac are experienced and qualified to answer questions about the field, careers, etc. However, under the current system, only students working in a faculty member's lab get to know a faculty member well. Strength is unique perspective and knowledge of faculty weakness is difficulty of making unscheduled visits or appts. Staff says fac advising would help students feel more connected to at least one fac. , and help when they need letters of rec., etc. Chair and staff agree that the faculty know so little about requirements that the potential for misinformation woud dramatically increase if faculty were official advisors.
Faculty do only informal advising, and thesis advising.
Faculty would need a significant amount of training if they were to be asked to do major advising. Students have good access to staff and fac advisors. Academic decisions are made by fac. Advising is not as burdensome for fac as it was when they handed out advisor codes, etc.