Too much advising time is taken up with clerical tasks that could be automated. While many faculty members are generous with their time in advising students, the faculty overall has not played a major part in mentoring students through the undergraduate educational experience. Although professional advisors received praise from many students, the need for more faculty input on career choices was keenly felt by students. Faculty often were less familiar with the important details of degree requirements than professional advisers. There is a lack of consistency in advising across campus.
Some colleges maintain better advising records than others.
There is a lack of campus-wide coordination of advising among academic units. Some advisers do not receive accurate and expeditious information about changes in degree programs in other departments. Some departments require courses offered by different departments without being aware of the prerequisites that have been imposed in the other courses. Every student should be assigned to a designated professional adviser who shall be readily accessible, skilled at interpersonal communications, able to provide the student with accurate information, and responsible for taking a proactive role to maximize the student's probability of graduating in a timely manner. Faculty should play an active role in advising, particularly with respect to academic programs and career choices.