DRAFT
I. Introduction
A. Overview
Academic advising is required of all first-time students to Austin Community College and available to all returning students. This resource guide will assist faculty advisors to provide departmental advising to students within their instructional area. The faculty advising model at ACC adheres to the Core Values of Academic Advising as stated by the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA). [http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/Profres/corevalu.htm] (Appendix A)
B. Mission
Departmental academic advising supports the overall college advising mission by providing support to the following student populations:
v Current/former or referred students
v Declared majors
v TASP requirements met
v Academic good standing
C. Philosophy
Faculty advisors are committed to assisting students in making decisions about their educational goals. The relationship between the student and the advisor is an interactive one, by which the student is moved from a point of reliance to one of self-reliance and independence. Advisors help by providing the student with the most current and accurate information within their discipline. Advisors assist students with selecting appropriate classes, discussing academic policies, procedures and degree requirements, and assessing the student’s progress toward degree completion. The advisor assists students in clarifying academic and career goals, aids students in making decisions, guides them within their academic major, and acts as an agent of referral to campus resources when necessary.
D. Ethics/Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act in Academic Advising
The faculty advising model at ACC recognizes and follows the NACADA Standards & Guidelines. [http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/Profres/standard.htm] as well as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). http://www.epic.org/open_gov/efoia.html (Appendix B)
II. Advising Assistance
Description: Faculty advisors will use the following when assisting students. New ACC students should be advised through the Advising Center, unless referred to a faculty advisor by an advisor or counselor after initial screening. Faculty advise students in the following ways:
A. Schedule building & course placement
Faculty advisors help students with course selection and degree planning within their discipline. Students are encouraged to return each semester for advising and course selection and should be given a copy of their chosen degree plan to ensure appropriate classes needed for their program of study are being taken. Course selection involves:
1. Evaluating skills levels in reading, writing and math;
2. Checking course and skill prerequisites;
3. Verifying completed coursework;
4. Balancing the course-load based on course requirements (i.e., reading intensive, math intensive, labs, etc.);
5. Knowing when to refer a student to distance learning classes; and
6. Recommending the number of credit hours a student should take each semester depending on obligations, such as work, etc. Recommended number of hours for employed students are as follows:
a. 40 or more hours of work = 3 – 6 recommended number of credit hours
b. 20 – 39ours of work = 6 – 12 recommended number of credit hours
c. 0 – 19 hours of work = 12 – 18 recommended number of credit hours
B. Test Score Interpretation and Course Placement
1. TASP – Students who have not met their TASP requirements must be referred to an Advising Center or Counseling Center. (Refer to the appropriate Datatel screen.)
2. ACC Assessment – Faculty Advisors may check a student’s ACC assessment scores via Datatel to determine if the student meets the skill level necessary for the course requirement. (Appendix C) (Refer to the appropriate Datatel screen.)
C. Core Curriculum
Description: Core curriculum is defined in the Texas Education Code Section 61.822 as “the curriculum in the liberal arts, humanities, sciences, and political, social, and cultural history that all undergraduates of a particular institution of higher education are required to complete before receiving an associate or baccalaureate degree.” Faculty Advisors help students select courses from the Core that apply to the student’s major. [http://www2.austin.cc.tx.us/transfer/articulation_guide/core_curriculum.pdf]
D. Field of Study Curriculum
Description: Field of Study curricula were mandated in Senate Bill 148 of the 75th Texas Legislature (1997) are intended to facilitate the free transferability of lower-division academic courses among Texas public colleges and universities. Field of study curricula is defined by SB 148 as “a set of courses that will satisfy the lower division requirements for a bachelor’s degree in a specific academic area at a general academic teaching institution”. As with the Core Curriculum, SB 148 gave the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board the responsibility of developing and approving academic courses that will fulfill the lower division requirements for majors that correspond to the field of study. [http://www2.austin.cc.tx.us/transfer/articulation_guide/FOS.pdf]
E. Degree Planning Information
Description: ACC offers three kinds of degrees: Associate of Arts Degree (A.A.), Associate of Science Degree (A.S.) and Associate of Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.). The faculty advisor’s role is to give students general information about degrees and various programs of study within their discipline, and related career opportunities.
1. Degree and certificate programs are also available on the web. The current ACC catalog can be found at [http://www.austin.cc.tx.us/catalog]
2. College Catalog: ACC catalogs are made available to new students upon request at each Advising Center. Returning students can purchase the ACC catalog at the bookstores for $2.00.
3. For specific ACC degree plan information, go to: [http://www.austin.cc.tx.us/catalog/workindx.htm]
F. Course Information
1. Texas Common Course Numbering System - The TCCNS is a voluntary, co-operative effort among Texas community colleges and universities to facilitate transfer of freshman- and sophomore-level general academic coursework. Most community colleges have replaced their internal course numbering system with the TCCNS numbers. Most universities, while still maintaining their membership with the TCCNS, opt to cross-reference their unique course numbers with TCCNS. This is why universities still have course numbers different than those of TCCNS. [http://www.tccns.org/ccn/]
2. Academic Course Guide Manual - The ACGM is the official list of approval numbers for general academic transfer courses that may be offered by public community and technical colleges in Texas for state funding. The courses listed in the ACGM must also have Texas Common Course Numbers (TCCN) assigned to them. The ACMG was developed and is maintained by THECB and is available on the web in both HTML and PDF formats. [http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/cfbin/ArchFetch.cfm?DocID=0407&Format=HTML]
3. Workforce Education Course Manual – The WECM is the official list of approved courses for workforce education that may be offered by a public community and technical college in Texas. Courses that are listed in the WECM may not always transfer to a four-year institution without an articulation agreement. When working with students, help them to carefully make course selections that are in line with their intention to transfer credits. [http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/ctc/ip/wecm2000/main.htm]
III. Student Records via Datatel
Description: Procedures for students who are already in the Datatel System. The following Datatel screens may be used to check student records:
1. XAD1. This screen should always be completed every time any courses or specific actions are recommended to a student. This is the main on-line advising record which can be used to verify what was actually recommended. All courses approved/recommended should be listed by the 3 or 4 letter course rubric and number, e.g., HIST1301, in the provided spaces. Add comments to clarify selections, omissions in data, TASP scores not on TSUM, B or Better options, or anything that will clarify a complicated session. Other helpful information such as the student’s major, or change of major, desire to obtain a bachelor’s degree, etc., may be important to add if the information pertains to the advice given.
2. PERC. When checking restrictions (holds) always use the PERC screen. Restrictions may not always appear on SPRO, and restrictions cannot be removed on SPRO. After removing restrictions on PERC return to the changed restriction line, press F8 to go to comments screen, press Shift 3 to date stamp the comment, and explain reasons for removing the restriction. Use the printed Restrictions List to determine what office the student must visit to end the hold.
3. GPAT. There are two GPAT scores on the screen. GPAT 1 excludes developmental course work. GPA2 includes it. All students with cumulative GPA’S below 2.0 should be referred to Counseling.
4. TSUM/XTOV. TSUM shows TASP, TCOM or other TASP alternative test scores, in the Admissions test score section. In the Assessment section, assessment test scores are recorded. If Compass has a T in front of it, it serves as a TASP alternative even if it is in the Assessment section. If no scores are found in TSUM, look on XTOV. This screen shows TASP status (pass, fail, exempt, waived) but only shows passing scores on the individual sections.
5. TRCL/EXTS. The TRCL screen lists courses taken (academic history) at ACC. Courses listed without a grade, if they are the last courses listed, usually are courses in progress, or recently completed courses with grades not yet posted. Use EXTS to view transferred courses from another college, if not already listed on TRCL.
6. PSPR. Degree Audit (PSPR- Proposed Student Program): The PSPR Datatel screen is a valuable advising and educational planning tool. This screen can be used to evaluate a students’ completed coursework against any program of study in the system, allowing ACC staff to perform numerous “what if” scenarios for the undecided students. Students do not have to change their program with Admissions and Records and the evaluation does not change their record in any way.
IV. Transfer Information
Description: Faculty Advisors assist students with developing their plans to transfer to a 4-year institution. Refer to the “Guide for Articulation & Transfer Services” for processes, procedures and resources. [http://www2.austin.cc.tx.us/transfer/facstaff.htm] (Appendix D)
V. Referrals
A. Unique Student Populations
Description: The following students should be referred to the appropriate office for advising, unless previously referred for departmental specific assistance.
1. Early College Start (ECS) students: ECS students are dual enrolled in high school and college, and must be processed through the Advising Centers. [http://www3.austin.cc.tx.us/highschl/]
2. Senior Citizen students: Students 65 years of age or older may receive tuition exemption for up to six (6) college-credit hours per semester on a space-available basis. They may also be TASP exempt. They must be processed through the Advising or Counseling Centers.
3. Veterans Assistance (VA) students: Students who will be receiving VA benefits will complete the proper paperwork with the VA Specialist at ACC, who will also verify the student’s TASP status and refer them to the Advising Center for academic advising. [http://www3.austin.cc.tx.us/evpcss/rss/veteran/veterans.htm]
4. Auditing Students: Students taking courses for no credit are TASP exempt. New auditing students must be processed through the Advising or Counseling Centers. Auditing students will need to show proof of prerequisites, if necessary.
a. Students who want to audit a course must do so by calling the appropriate phone number on the last day of regular registration. (Refer to current course semester schedule for details.)
b. Tuition and fees are the same as for students enrolled for credit courses.
c. Students may request a change of status from credit to audit prior to the official census date. Students should be referred to the Director of Admissions & Records at 223-7503. (Students may not change status from audit to credit.)
5. Students with Out-of-State or Private College Credit: Students with credit from an out-of-state or private college(s) follow the same procedures as all new students and should be referred to the Advising Center to verify TASP status.
6. International Students: New International students must be referred to the International Student Office [http://www3.austin.cc.tx.us/evpcss/rss/admiss/international.htm] Returning international students follow all the same advising procedures as other returning students.
7. English-as-a-Second Language (ESL) Students: New ESL students should be referred to ESL faculty advisors. Returning ESL students follow all the same requirements as other returning students. [http://www2.austin.cc.tx.us/acadprog/ahum/ensl.htm]
B. Other Referrals
1. Admissions and Records Office: This office assists current and prospective students by:
a. Receiving applications for admissions and updating admission status;
b. Issuing student ID cards;
c. Determining in/out of district residence status for students;
d. Registering student changes of address;
e. Administering procedures for students to audit classes;
f. Administering the senior citizen tuition exemption application process;
g. Receiving transcripts from applicants’ prior high schools and/or colleges;
h. Providing ACC transcript to external institutions as requested by current and former ACC students.
i. the Admissions and Records Office at the following web site: [http://www3.austin.cc.tx.us/evpcss/rss/admiss/admissions.htm]
2. Advisors: Academic Advisors assist new college credit students to complete the application process, review state-mandated TASP requirements, understand ACC’s placement policies, evaluate assessment results and provide accurate, up-to-date advising information to students. Advisors also assist Early College Start high-school students, visiting and transfer students from other institution trying to take classes at ACC.
3. Assessment and Testing: Assessment staff at each campus administer the ACC TASP alternative test (TCOM) or the ACC Basic Skills Assessment Test (Compass). Results of these tests assist the advisor in correctly recommending that students take appropriate developmental class instruction in areas of math, reading or writing. See Assessment at: [http://www3.austin.cc.tx.us/evpcss/rss/assess/assessment.htm]
4. Financial Aid: The Student Financial Aid office at Austin Community College assists students who otherwise would be unable to attend college. It is important for the student to understand that the primary resource for meeting the cost of education rests with the student, parents and/or spouse. Financial Aid is considered a secondary source. Financial Aid is received in the form of: Grants and Scholarships, Work-Study and Loans. The Student Financial Aid Office administers these programs by providing financial aid applications and/or information to all interested students. See Student Financial Aid at: [http://www3.austin.cc.tx.us/evpcss/rss/sfa/]
5. Counseling: Counselors provide individual and group counseling sessions. Counselors provide students with educational planning that best meets their needs, goals, and expectations. Career counseling and educational planning often are accomplished in the same process. The process includes self-assessment (interests, skills, history), research (educational and career information), decision-making, and development of employability skills (resume writing, interviewing skills, communication and job search skills). Counselors assist students who are undeclared or General Studies majors to define educational and career goals, to develop degree plans, and to discuss degree plans and courses as they relate to transferability to other colleges and universities. Counselors also assist students with issues that affect their learning effectiveness, such as motivation, confidence, concentration, learning style, stress management, family or work pressures, test anxiety, time management and academic difficulties. Community referrals are made when needed. See Counseling at: [http://www3.austin.cc.tx.us/evpcss/rss/counsel/counseling.htm]