4310 - Academic Advising and Counseling

Owner:

  • Position: Vice Provost for Strategic Enrollment Management
  • Email: sem@uidaho.edu

Last updated: July 1, 2025

CONTENTS:

A. Purpose. This policy regulates academic advising and mentoring for undergraduate students at the University of Idaho.

B. Scope. This policy applies to students, faculty and academic administrators.

C. Policy.

C-1. Having enrolled in a degree seeking program at the U of I, the student agrees to meet the requirements of a curriculum as specified by the faculty and the regents. The primary responsibility of meeting degree requirements rests with the students. The role of advisors, mentors, or other campus support services is to assist students. The students are responsible for making and attending appointments.

C-2. Each prospective or matriculating student is provided with the assistance of an academic advisor. The role of advisors is to aid students in planning their degree program progression and selecting appropriate courses. Advisors also support students through their university experience by connecting them with appropriate campus resources, services, and opportunities. Students may also be provided with the assistance of a faculty mentor. The role of faculty mentors is to assist students with career planning and professional development.

C-3. Each college is given the autonomy to establish its own advising model and the appropriate roles to support that model, which is managed by each colleges’ respective dean.

D. Procedures.

D-1. Students. The principal responsibilities of students are to: (1) actively engage in choosing a degree program, selecting courses, and accessing advising regularly; (2) be informed on rules, regulations, and curricular requirements for their program; (3) maintain responsibility for their own academic decisions and take into account the advice given concerning the curriculum.

D-2. Academic Advisors. A faculty member or professional advisor may serve as an academic advisor. The responsibilities of academic advisors are to: (1) be informed on rules and regulations in the catalog; (2) have a thorough understanding of applicable degree programs; (3) be familiar with all relevant campus resources, services, and opportunities; (4) be available by appointment and maintain accessible advising hours.

Activities for Academic Advisors include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Assist students on the selection of majors, minors, certificates, and other programs offered by the university.
  • Provide proactive guidance to ensure students’ progress toward degree completion.
  • Assist students in selecting courses and approve course schedules.
  • Assist students with petitions, substitutions, waivers, withdrawals, and other curricular processes, in coordination with faculty mentors or College personnel.
  • Connect students to relevant campus resources, services, and opportunities available through the university.
  • Communicate regularly with academic units concerning courses, curricular changes, and student opportunities.

D-3. Faculty Mentors. The responsibilities of faculty mentors are to: (1) have a thorough understanding of departmental curricula; (2) be aware of developments and opportunities in their fields; (3) be familiar with relevant campus resources, services and opportunities; (4) be available by appointment and maintain accessible office hours.

Mentoring activities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Assist students with career planning or refer students to the appropriate resources on campus.
  • Provide information concerning internships, graduate study, extended professional preparation, and post-graduation opportunities.
  • Advise students on the construction of resumes and other professional documents.
  • Assist students with applications for post-graduate opportunities.
  • Write recommendation letters to support student applications to graduate school, potential employers, scholarships, or grants.

All mentoring activities conducted by faculty members shall be counted towards the Teaching and Advising component of their Position Description and Annual Evaluations.

D-4. Academic Administrators. The responsibilities of academic administrators are to: (1) develop degree plans in consultation with program faculty members that are suited to the educational philosophy of the college, its curricula, and the needs of the students; (2) communicate with advisors and mentors about changes, bottlenecks, or potential barriers in curricula and degree plans; (3) give due credit for student advising and/or mentoring in Position Descriptions and Annual Evaluations.

Version History

Amended July 2025. Revised throughout to reflect current and recommended practices.

Amended August 2009. Updated department names and minor editorial changes.

Amended July 1989. Editorial changes.

Adopted 1979.