AAM Sec 2 SJSU Academic Advisor's Resource Book Section 1. The advisor and advisee are in a very real sense co-navigators. Advisors provide individualized assistance to enrich and enhance each advisee's academic pursuits and development. The advisor must be able to explain the probable consequences of one choice in contrast to another and to assess the readiness of each student to make such choices. The advisor should be alert for probes for nonacademic advice.
Personal problems can seriously affect a student's academic program.
The major criticism from unhappy students has to do with advisors being unavailable. A minimum of 5 hours per week distributed over at least three days is usually necessary to meet student need. Students should be encouraged to see their advisor at least once during the semester at a time other than registration time. University policies are complex and are often difficult for students to understand. Advisors should read the information pages in the SJSU Catalog and Schedule of Classes thoroughly.