Introduction to Advisement

The Department of Health, Nutrition, and Exercise Sciences provides students with a strong program of quality academic advisement – both from the faculty and the advising staff. The mission of academic advising in the College is to serve students in the ongoing process of assisting them in the attainment of their educational goals through the development and evaluation of their educational plans. To succeed and progress satisfactorily through a degree program, students must have the resources available to not only receive accurate information about requirements and procedures tailored to individual educational needs, but a knowledgeable, caring advisor to explain University policies and procedures. Advisors do more than just sign registration forms; they are involved in helping students in coordinating their learning experiences through the planning of their educational – as well as their career – objectives, based on the abilities and academic progress of each student. Academic advising should also act as a source of referral for students to other campus agencies (Career Services, Academic Services, Counseling Center, etc.).

This Advisor’s Handbook has been prepared specifically to assist faculty with work in academic advising. Several principles have influenced the preparation of this handbook:

1. Quality advising is the shared responsibility of faculty, staff, students and administrators;
2. Advising is a teaching opportunity;
3. Sound educational planning and decision-making utilize a faculty advisor’s knowledge and expertise, the Advisement Resource Center, various University of Delaware resources, and a student’s needs, interests, values and abilities;
4. Faculty advisors can articulate and help students understand the relevance and interrelatedness of the various academic requirements of their program (breadth requirements, major requirements, concentration requirements, etc.), and additional information regarding their majors in educational, personal and career contexts; and
5. Advising can contribute to academic excellence and persistence.