College of Arts and Sciences works to alleviate confusion in advising office

By Curtis Creekmore

One of the scariest things about entering college is the complex procedures involved in registering for classes, choosing a major and figuring out what classes are needed to fulfill requirements. The College of Arts and Sciences has begun to implement procedures which it hopes will alleviate confusion and build a stronger bond between its students and advisers.

Dr. Tomarra Adams, assistant dean of Advising and Student Services, said that many of the changes occurred about a year ago.

“These changes are a part of the college’s intent to improve student retention and satisfaction,” she said.

The college was asked to divide their employees into two manageable divisions: freshman/sophomore and junior/senior.

“[The upperclassmen division] was asked to work even more closely with departments on advising practices and services and provide training and outreach that will enhance the student experience,” Adams said.

Other procedure changes include a requirement for students with fewer than 24 credit hours to meet with their adviser before registration can occur. The new policy will give the advising center an extra meeting to get to know the students better and to help them explore their fields of study.

“I hope what this all will translate into for students is an opportunity to develop a relationship with their academic adviser,” Adams said.

Students amassing 45 credit hours or more who have not declared a major will be required to meet with their adviser as well. A flag will be placed on their account, preventing them from registering, until the meeting has taken place.

But not all students are pleased with the changes. Koree Fugate, a sophomore with 35 credit hours, was concerned.

“It’s a little stressful,” she said. “I was going to take a few more classes to see if I wanted to do a 2-D or 3-D major, but now -” Fugate knows that she wants to major in the field of Art. She is just unsure of which discipline to pursue. Other students didn’t even know the changes had taken place.

“I think if they’re going to make that big of a change, they should make sure that students are well informed,” sophomore Bethany Johnson commented. Johnson has yet to declare her major and now must meet with an adviser due to her total of 55 credits.

“I feel that any changes that take place within the university that affect the smallest percentage of students should be announced clearly to everyone, faculty and staff included,” freshman Matt Harris said.

On the other hand, some students, like senior James Taylor, agree with the decision.

“It makes sense that after 60 hours, if you’re going to graduate in four or five years, you need to know what your major is going to be,” he said. “Just because they flag an account doesn’t mean they’re going to stick [you] with a major. It’s just going to make [students] switch majors more.”

However, Adams said that the new procedures are not meant to force students into declaring a major.

“Students won’t be pressured to choose a major, but they will be encouraged to give it some active thought. This may include exploring their strengths, interests and skills as a part of a process of choosing the major that will meet each of these areas,” she said.

Dr. Blaine Hudson is delighted by the changes.

“Dr. Adams has captured our advising structure and strategy – and the implications for students thus far – quite well. Our goal, if it can be stated in the simplest terms, is to increase and improve both the frequency and the quality of our human interaction with students,” he said.

Students can direct questions to the A & S advising office at One of the scariest things about entering college is the complex procedures involved in registering for classes, choosing a major and figuring out what classes are needed to fulfill requirements. The College of Arts and Sciences has begun to implement procedures which it hopes will alleviate confusion and build a stronger bond between its students and advisers.

Dr. Tomarra Adams, assistant dean of Advising and Student Services, said that many of the changes occurred about a year ago.

“These changes are a part of the college’s intent to improve student retention and satisfaction,” she said.

The college was asked to divide their employees into two manageable divisions: freshman/sophomore and junior/senior.

“[The upperclassmen division] was asked to work even more closely with departments on advising practices and services and provide training and outreach that will enhance the student experience,” Adams said.

Other procedure changes include a requirement for students with fewer than 24 credit hours to meet with their adviser before registration can occur. The new policy will give the advising center an extra meeting to get to know the students better and to help them explore their fields of study.

“I hope what this all will translate into for students is an opportunity to develop a relationship with their academic adviser,” Adams said.

Students amassing 45 credit hours or more who have not declared a major will be required to meet with their adviser as well. A flag will be placed on their account, preventing them from registering, until the meeting has taken place.

But not all students are pleased with the changes. Koree Fugate, a sophomore with 35 credit hours, was concerned.

“It’s a little stressful,” she said. “I was going to take a few more classes to see if I wanted to do a 2-D or 3-D major, but now -” Fugate knows that she wants to major in the field of Art. She is just unsure of which discipline to pursue. Other students didn’t even know the changes had taken place.

“I think if they’re going to make that big of a change, they should make sure that students are well informed,” sophomore Bethany Johnson commented. Johnson has yet to declare her major and now must meet with an adviser due to her total of 55 credits.

“I feel that any changes that take place within the university that affect the smallest percentage of students should be announced clearly to everyone, faculty and staff included,” freshman Matt Harris said.

On the other hand, some students, like senior James Taylor, agree with the decision.

“It makes sense that after 60 hours, if you’re going to graduate in four or five years, you need to know what your major is going to be,” he said. “Just because they flag an account doesn’t mean they’re going to stick [you] with a major. It’s just going to make [students] switch majors more.”

However, Adams said that the new procedures are not meant to force students into declaring a major.

“Students won’t be pressured to choose a major, but they will be encouraged to give it some active thought. This may include exploring their strengths, interests and skills as a part of a process of choosing the major that will meet each of these areas,” she said.

Dr. Blaine Hudson is delighted by the changes.

“Dr. Adams has captured our advising structure and strategy – and the implications for students thus far – quite well. Our goal, if it can be stated in the simplest terms, is to increase and improve both the frequency and the quality of our human interaction with students,” he said.

Students can direct questions to the A & S advising office at One of the scariest things about entering college is the complex procedures involved in registering for classes, choosing a major and figuring out what classes are needed to fulfill requirements. The College of Arts and Sciences has begun to implement procedures which it hopes will alleviate confusion and build a stronger bond between its students and advisers.

Dr. Tomarra Adams, assistant dean of Advising and Student Services, said that many of the changes occurred about a year ago.

“These changes are a part of the college’s intent to improve student retention and satisfaction,” she said.

The college was asked to divide their employees into two manageable divisions: freshman/sophomore and junior/senior.

“[The upperclassmen division] was asked to work even more closely with departments on advising practices and services and provide training and outreach that will enhance the student experience,” Adams said.

Other procedure changes include a requirement for students with fewer than 24 credit hours to meet with their adviser before registration can occur. The new policy will give the advising center an extra meeting to get to know the students better and to help them explore their fields of study.

“I hope what this all will translate into for students is an opportunity to develop a relationship with their academic adviser,” Adams said.

Students amassing 45 credit hours or more who have not declared a major will be required to meet with their adviser as well. A flag will be placed on their account, preventing them from registering, until the meeting has taken place.

But not all students are pleased with the changes. Koree Fugate, a sophomore with 35 credit hours, was concerned.

“It’s a little stressful,” she said. “I was going to take a few more classes to see if I wanted to do a 2-D or 3-D major, but now -” Fugate knows that she wants to major in the field of Art. She is just unsure of which discipline to pursue. Other students didn’t even know the changes had taken place.

“I think if they’re going to make that big of a change, they should make sure that students are well informed,” sophomore Bethany Johnson commented. Johnson has yet to declare her major and now must meet with an adviser due to her total of 55 credits.

“I feel that any changes that take place within the university that affect the smallest percentage of students should be announced clearly to everyone, faculty and staff included,” freshman Matt Harris said.

On the other hand, some students, like senior James Taylor, agree with the decision.

“It makes sense that after 60 hours, if you’re going to graduate in four or five years, you need to know what your major is going to be,” he said. “Just because they flag an account doesn’t mean they’re going to stick [you] with a major. It’s just going to make [students] switch majors more.”

However, Adams said that the new procedures are not meant to force students into declaring a major.

“Students won’t be pressured to choose a major, but they will be encouraged to give it some active thought. This may include exploring their strengths, interests and skills as a part of a process of choosing the major that will meet each of these areas,” she said.

Dr. Blaine Hudson is delighted by the changes.

“Dr. Adams has captured our advising structure and strategy – and the implications for students thus far – quite well. Our goal, if it can be stated in the simplest terms, is to increase and improve both the frequency and the quality of our human interaction with students,” he said.

Students can direct questions to the A & S advising office at asadvise@louisville.edu.