College Advising Contact Information:
309 UH
(312) 996-3366
http://www.uic.edu/las/students/advising/

College advising policy, philosophy, and/or statement:

Academic Advising Mission Statement:
The Office of Student Academic Affairs of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences recognizes that undergraduate students expect to receive a quality education in a quality environment. It is the role of Student Academic Affairs and its Academic Advising Center to assure that, in the continuum from admission through graduation, the student's individual educational needs are met while maintaining the academic standards established by the faculty of the College. As a primary source of College information, the staff of the LAS Academic Advising Center promotes and facilitates excellence through academic advising. We believe that our services should assist in maximizing the academic experience and student achievement in the expectation that students will become life long learners and attain their career objectives. These services are provided with expertise, courtesy, and a positive attitude.

Is advising required in the college? If so, for whom, when, and/or how often is advising required?
Advising is required for new freshmen before they register for the first, second, and third full semesters. Advising is also required for students on academic probation and others at the discretion of the college.

Does your college have school/departmental-level advising?
In the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, departmental advising complements college advising. Departmental advisors advise students in major requirements and work with the college advisors when necessary. The LAS Academic Advising Center also has professional advisors who are trained in both major and college advising assigned to the departments of Biological Sciences; Criminology, Law and Justice; English; Psychology; and Spanish, French, Italian, and Portuguese.

A list of academic advisors by program is available online http://www.uic.edu/las/faculty/directories/acadadvprog.shtml.

Describe how advisors are assigned to students:
Students enrolled in LAS 110 are assigned to their advisor/instructor. Other students may make appointments with any advisor. Students with specific educational goals of pre-law, pre-health, and secondary education are encouraged to make appointments with the appropriate specialist in addition to the departmental major advisor.

Procedure for scheduling advising appointments:
Appointments are scheduled in Room 309 UH or by calling (312) 996-3366.

Describe walk-in or open advising for students:
Walk-in advising is available to students for the resolution of issues not requiring an extended appointment every Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. through 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. through 3:30 p.m. during the fall and spring semesters.

Walk-in advising is available to students to resolve registration issues Monday through Friday of the first week of the fall and spring semesters as well as on the Thursday and Friday of the 6th week of the fall and spring semesters, the final days to drop classes.

Additional information or advice for students:
Although we recommend that students meet with an LAS advisor at least once a year, we welcome you to schedule appointments as questions and problems arise. By seeking the LAS advising staff's expertise, students can determine the best course of action for their academic pursuits, and avoid any misinformation that they may inadvertently receive from less qualified sources. While advisors are available to assist, the essential responsibility for selecting courses and meeting graduation requirements rests with each individual student. Intelligent planning in scheduling the program not only helps meet the basic educational requirements of LAS, but allows the student to develop an educational program consistent with future goals.

Additional information about school/departmental-level advising in the college:
Academic advising in your major field of study is the responsibility of the individual department. If you have questions regarding your major, you should schedule an appointment with the director of undergraduate studies who is the primary faculty member responsible for advising undergraduate majors and for reviewing your progress in fulfilling major requirements. In many departments, other faculty members or professional advisors advise students as well. Contact information for directors of undergraduate study is available via individual departments, their Web sites, or department listings in the online Undergraduate Catalog. Faculty advising is a valuable resource, providing you with an opportunity for mentoring with an educator who is active in your discipline. The faculty advisor assists students in the following ways:

  • talks with declared majors and prospective majors
  • helps students confirm that the major they have chosen is suited to their academic strengths and interests
  • recommends a sequence for taking the required and collateral courses
  • assists with schedule planning to help the student to complete the major in a timely manner
  • discusses issues regarding cooperative education and internship placements and possible career, employment, graduate, or professional school options

In many departments, students must have the approval of the department before they can declare a major in that discipline. Similarly, some departments require declared majors to meet with a faculty advisor before registering. Consult the department of interest for specific advising requirements. Some courses may be reserved for students in a major, and therefore consultation with the departmental advisor is essential.

If you are uncertain about a particular issue or if you want confirmation that you are proceeding correctly, schedule an appointment with an LAS advisor.