A fundamental philosophy of Saint Mary's is that guidance and education are inseparable. The academic advising program is designed to provide students with the guidance they need to develop academic and co-curricular programs that allow them to achieve personal educational and career goals. Full-time faculty assume the primary responsibility for advising undergraduate students and are supported in their work by the Office of Advising Services. Advisors are provided with the resources to help students develop appropriate programs of study and may refer advisees to other campus services for further assistance.
Students participate in the evaluation of the academic advising program.
Faculty promotion and tenure decisions are based, in part, on how conscientiously and effectively advising responsibilities have been met. While advisors provide students with guidance, it is the student who is ultimately responsible for ensuring that all College requirements are satisfied. Accordingly, students should familiarize themselves with College policies, procedures and resources and they should meet with advisors to plan academic programs and to make course schedule changes. Computerized degree audits are provided to students and advisors so they can jointly monitor progress toward satisfying degree requirements. The assigned advisor is the first person students should turn to for advice and support in academic matters.