2009-2010 Course Catalog

Advising

Academic advising is a critical part of the educational process at The University of Montana. Advisors provide important information and guidance about scheduling classes, selecting a major, taking advantage of opportunities on and off campus, dealing with academic problems, and finding essential academic and social support services. An effective relationship with an advisor helps students realize the maximum educational benefits available to them, better understand themselves, and  meet their particular educational needs and goals.

All undergraduate students are required to meet with their advisor at least once each semester. Students meet with an advisor throughout the semester in order to review educational progress, discuss future plans, and secure schedule approval prior to registration. Academic advisors also assist students in dropping and/or adding courses, finding appropriate academic or personal assistance programs, and ensuring that requirements for graduation are met.

Students majoring in a department or school are assigned an academic advisor in that unit. Departments use different methods to assign advisors. In some cases, the person in charge of advising for the department or program, the Advising Chair or Coordinator, does all  freshman advising. In some cases, a student is assigned an advisor in the major who seems best suited to discuss particular academic interests or who represents one of the various options in the major.

Students who have yet to select a major ("Undeclared" students) are assigned to professional advisors at the Undergraduate Advising Center (www.umt.edu/uac) Appointments can be made with an advisor at the UAC throughout the semester.

In the event that a student does not know who his or her advisor is or wishes to change advisors, he or she may request advisor information or re-assignment to another advisor either from the department or through the Undergraduate Advising Center.  COT students may contact their department Chair or the Associate Dean's Office.

Although faculty, professional, and peer assistants are all available to assist students, it is important for students to realize that the ultimate responsibility for meeting all graduation requirements is their own.  Students improve their academic planning and success by fully using the advising services and by learning about the academic requirements of their major fields, the University policies for registration and graduation, and scholastic requirements. The UM catalog is the official source of information on these matters.

Faculty, professional and peer advisors facilitate positive academic advising experiences by: helping students to develop mentoring relationships with faculty and professional staff, by encouraging students to fulfill their obligation to plan in advance for advising sessions, by educating students to understand and accept their responsibilities in the advising process and for advising decisions, and by facilitating frank and productive dialogue about the student's academic goals.

Students with academic advising questions or concerns may contact the Office for Student Success, Lommasson Suite269, The University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, www.umt.edu/studentsuccess, or by phone at (406)243-5672. Students enrolled in  the College of Technology may contact their academic departments, the Associate Dean's office (243-7852) or the Retention and Advising Coordinator (243-7878).