Advising
The University of Montana-Missoula
maintains that academic advising is an
important part of the educational
process. Establishing a friendly and
honest relationship with an academic
advisor will be an advantage to the UM
student both personally and
educationally. An effective relationship
with an advisor is one of the avenues
through which students come to realize
the maximum educational benefits
available to them, learn to better
understand themselves and to meet their
special educational needs and
aspirations.
Academic advising is required each
semester of all undergraduate students.
This mandatory advisement policy
means that a student must obtain the
advisor's endorsement of his or her course selection. Students are strongly
encouraged to meet with an advisor
during the Advanced Registration
period each semester to discuss plans for
the next semester and to secure
approval. College of Technology
students and students who did not
advance register must meet with an
advisor before Final Registration to
obtain approval.
Students majoring in a department or
school are assigned an academic advisor
from that unit. Each department may
use a different process in assigning
advisors. In some cases, the person in
charge of advising for the program, the
Advising Chair, does all the freshman
advising. Or, the student may be assigned an advisor in the major who
seems best suited to discuss particular
academic interests.
College of Technology students are
assigned faculty advisors upon
enrollment. Advisors assist students
regarding class schedules, dropping or
adding courses, and graduation
requirements. Advisors' signature lines
are provided on forms when they are
required.
The University of Montana-Missoula
encourages the enrollment of students
who are unsure of their educational and
career plans. These students are
designated as General Studies students,
and are assigned a faculty member or
peer advisor from a select advising pool
through the Office of Academic
Advising in the University College. This
advisor assists the student in exploring
various educational and career goals
while meeting the General Education
Requirements. While many advisors are
faculty members from the departments,
the University does involve trained peer
advisors and staff in the process. In the
event you are dissatisfied with your
assigned advisor or if your schedules do
not mesh, you may request a change of
advisor either from the department or
from the University's Director of
Academic Advising.
Although faculty advisors, peer
advisors and the Director of Academic
Advising are here to help, it is important
for students to realize that the ultimate
responsibility for meeting all graduation
requirements is their own. Students can
increase their academic planning
effectiveness by fully utilizing the
advising system, and by acquainting
themselves with the academic
requirements of their major fields,
University policies for registration and
graduation, and scholastic requirements.
The UM catalog is the official source of
information on these matters and is
available upon request from Admissions
& New Student Services or the College
of Technology.
Students with academic advising
questions or concerns are invited to
contact the Director of Academic
Advising, University College, Corbin
Hall, The University of Montana-Missoula, Missoula, MT 59812 or phone
(406) 243-2835 or the College of
Technology (406) 243-7882.
Orientation
Students who have made the decision
to enroll at The University of Montana
are invited to campus to attend an
orientation program. Participation in
orientation is the best way for new
students to get acquainted with the
University. Orientation is designed for
all students who are new to UM, both
first-time college students and students
transferring from another school.
UM offers three summer orientation
sessions. If a student is unable to attend
a summer session, UM provides similar
sessions at the beginning of fall and
spring semesters. All new students are
assessed a $45.00 orientation fee, except
students in the College of Technology.
A College of Technology orientation
schedule is sent to all students accepted
to COT programs.
Typical events at orientation include
an introduction to academic programs,
placement exams, academic advising
appointments, information sessions for
campus support services, and events that
help students meet other students.
Orientation participants also register for
classes.
Orientation information is sent to all
students who have been granted
admission to UM. Call Admissions &
New Student Services for more
information at (406) 243-6266 or
1-800-462-8636 or the College of
Technology (406) 243-7882 or
1-800-542-6882. |