College Advising Contact Information:
College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs
Valerie Werner, Interim Assistant Dean of Student Services
(312) 413-2292
vwerne1@uic.edu
http://www.uic.edu/cuppa/

Urban and Public Affairs Undergraduate Program, Suite 315
Anna Baccallieri, Assistant to the Director
(312) 413-2565
abacce1@uic.edu
http://www.uic.edu/cuppa/upa/

College advising policy, philosophy, and/or statement:
Academic advising is a continuous and collaborative educational process that connects the student to the institution. Our mission is to provide effective academic advising to maximize the academic experience and student achievement. The primary focus of the advising units in CUPPA is to assist students in the development of meaningful educational plans and professional development. To accomplish this task CUPPA's academic graduate departments and undergraduate program have identified relevant and desirable learning outcomes. Advising services provide guidance to students to encourage the achievement of these outcomes. The central learning outcomes include enhancing intellectual growth, identifying educational goals, clarifying career choices, independence, and effective communication.

Is advising required in the college?
CUPPA requires academic units to provide comprehensive advising services to students.

Urban and Public Affairs Program:
New students are required to have an advising appointment with either the program director or the assistant to the director prior to the start of the new academic year. All students are encouraged to schedule an advising session after classes start to establish continuity of advising and clarity on graduation requirements.

Does your college have school/departmental-level advising?
The College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs student advising compliments but does not supersede program advising. Students have the option of meeting with the Interim assistant dean for student services.

Describe how advisors are assigned to students:
The Urban and Public Affairs undergraduate program are advised by both the director and the assistant to the director on program information and course development. Students on academic probation are advised by the UPA director.

Procedure for scheduling advising appointments:
UPA students make advising appointments with the director or assistant to the director.  

Describe any walk-in or open advising for students:
CUPPA academic unit staff members are available to provide student walk-ins with general questions. The CUPPA Associate Dean and Assistant Dean for student services are also available to advise students when academic unit faculty members or staff are unavailable.  

Additional information or advice for students:
Urban and Public Affairs students are encouraged to schedule advising appointments prior to registration and well before registration day. Students should also register for courses during their scheduled registration time; it is strongly encouraged that students do not wait until the first week of the semester to register for courses.

CUPPA students are expected to take a proactive role in their academic and professional development and are highly encouraged to come to advising appointments prepared with appointment objectives/topics for discussion and.

Additional information about school/departmental-level advising:
UPA students are required to review and sign the advising syllabus. This syllabus serves as a communication tool, establishing expectations for both the advisor and advisee.  

Typically, when does the college advisor first have contact with an advisee?
The Urban and Public Affairs program meets with all eligible applicants prior to acceptance into the program.