Academic Advising

Dr. Dilustro Advising students

advising frequently asked questions

All students are assigned an academic advisor when they are accepted to Chowan University. You may be assigned a temporary advisor during summer SOAR (Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration). If you have declared a major, you will typically be placed with an advisor in that field.

MyCU will give you your advisor’s name, email address, telephone number and office location.

  • Log onto MyCU using your Chowan ID and password. To reset your password go to reset.chowan.edu and follow the instructions. It will sync your password for all accounts (Blackboard, Gmail, Aviso, Wireless, MyCU, and Chowan PC).
  • Click on the “Student” tab near the top of the page.
  • Scroll down the left side of this page to the “Advisor Information”. Engage the “Click Here for Advisor Information” and again click the link to the pdf also entitled“ Click Here for Advisor Information“ to view your advisor’s information.

Advising should be a collaborative effort between you and your advisor. Both of you share a responsibility for making this relationship work. The initial purpose of advising is to help you make decisions regarding classes. However, the more successful your relationship is, the sooner it will lead to your taking more responsibility for your own program of study. Through the
years you work together, you become a team whose goal is to make sure you do as well as you can while at Chowan and graduate with a degree that has prepared you for your chosen career or the next step in your education. Your advisor is also available to help you with any problems and concerns, including your ability to receive any accommodations you may require.

Both you and your advisor share responsibility for fostering this relationship so that you make the most of your opportunities at Chowan.

A. Your Responsibilities:
While your advisor will help you navigate university policies and procedures, and provide suggestions for completing the program you have chosen, all responsibility for knowing and fulfilling the requirements for your degree ultimately rests on your shoulders. This means you need to spend time thinking about what you want and where you want to go after Chowan:

1. Develop short-term and long-term academic and career goals. Reassess these on a regular basis. Share information about educational and career goals with your advisor—especially if they change.
2. Study the Chowan catalog to find a program that fits those goals.
3. Evaluate your current program of study frequently to determine if it still meets your needs and plans.
4. Share any relevant accomodations, concerns or problems you might have with your advisor.
5. Evaluate your academic performance in the context of these goals. Pay honest attention to how you are progressing through the program. If you are having difficulty in your major area of study or you discover you are not enjoying the work anymore, it is time for a meeting with your advisor.
6. Do not discard your dream program only because you are finding it difficult to achieve, but honestly assess your aptitude, abilities and commitment to your program of study and do not be afraid to explore other options. (This is an essential element and part of the fulfillment that comes from a liberal arts education.)
7. Schedule each advising appointment in a timely manner. Keep the appointment and show up on time, prepared with a schedule of classes you are considering and alternative courses as back-up.
8. Assume increasing responsibility for registration, career planning and completion of graduation requirements.

B. Responsibilities You Share with Your Advisor

1. Be familiar with your catalog.
2. Be familiar with degree requirements for your major listed in that catalog.
3. Meet for advising at least once per semester to review your academic progress and select courses for the upcoming semester.
4. Prepare for advising appointments—review degree requirements, assess current-semester progress, and be prepared to make suggestions regarding the next semester’s course selection.
5. Periodically monitor progress toward successful completion of graduation requirements at these meetings.

C. What You Can Expect From Your Advisor

1. Help finding a new program of study if your education or career goals change.
2. A source of information to help you plan a program of study, which encourages you to take on more responsibility for your own career planning and completing degree requirements.
3. Help understanding what you have to accomplish to successfully pursue your chosen career path.
4. A source to discuss alternatives if your academic performance does not match your career aspirations.
5. Someone who understands academic and administrative policies and procedures and can help you navigate them successfully.
6. Someone who will schedule time to meet with you, whether during regular office hours or at a scheduled appointment time when you need help
7. Someone who will make every effort to provide you with accurate information.
8. Help when you are uncertain about what to do.

You must see your advisor at least once a semester, during the Advisement Period for Pre-registration in order to plan the classes you wish to take the following semester. In addition, if you are having trouble in a course, general academic problems, personal problems, or difficulties with a professor, you can turn to your advisor as a mentor and confidante. Should you need further guidance, your advisor can direct you to additional counseling or to a member of the staff or administration who can assist with your particular problem. Academic advisors are an excellent resource for any academic question and to take full advantage of the advising relationship. You should meet 2–4 times during each semester.

If there is another faculty member whom you would prefer as an advisor, speak to the chair of the department in which you are majoring and explain the situation. It may be possible for the Chair to assign you to a different advisor. If you have not yet declared a major, discuss the situation with your current academic advisor.

The class schedule is available online through MyCU (use the Course Search link in the Academics tab). Information on registration, fees, academic requirements, and advising is included in the Academic Catalog.


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