Academic Advisement Welcome to the Academic Advisement Center at SCCC!  Quality academic advising is a key to your success and your advisor is a valuable resource to help you in attaining your life and career goals. The Academic Advisement Center serves as an academic information center for students attending SCCC, as well as all prospective students needing advising assistance.  Advising assistance includes academic/program planning, course scheduling and registration, readmission, program changes and withdrawals. Contact Us Elston 222 College Hours of Operation Please arrive one hour before closing (518) 381-1277 academicadvisement@sunysccc.edu STAFF: Michael Mastrella, Academic Advisor Heidi Borofsky, Academic Advisor Mitzi A. Espinola, Academic Advisor Dominic Green, Academic Advisor Amy Hebbard, Academic Advisor When to See Your Advisor | How to Contact Your Advisor | What to Do Before You Meet Your Advisor | The Role of the Academic Advisor | The Importance of Academic Advisement | What is Academic Advising? | The Student-Advisor Relationship | Student Responsibilities | Tips for Creating a Semester Class Schedule | Steps to Success | Degree Audit | Important Information for Undeclared Students | Useful Links

When to See Your Advisor

• Whenever you encounter any problems that affect academic performance.
  
• When it is time to schedule classes for the next semester (Registering as early as possible is highly recommended).
  
• To discuss academic progress.
  
• To discuss career considerations.
  
• To withdraw from a course or courses.
  
• To explore change of major.
  
• To explore off-campus learning opportunities (internships, study abroad).

How to Contact Your Advisor

Full-time students (12 credits or more) are assigned to a faculty advisor.  If you don’t know who your advisor is, check the advisor list at the Registrar’s Office (Elston 212) or the Academic Advisement Center (Elston 222).

Part-time students (less than 12 credits) and all 24 Credit Hour Students see an advisor in the Academic Advisement Center (Elston 222) on a walk-in basis.
Be familiar with your advisor’s office hours and schedule. 

Whenever possible, call to make an appointment instead of dropping by without one. If it is necessary to drop by without an appointment, try to do so at a time when your advisor has posted office hours, and allow plenty of time in case you have to wait to see your advisor.

Because the first and last two weeks of each semester are the busiest for students and faculty, schedule longer conferences during the middle portion of the semester.

If you want to change your advisor you can obtain the appropriate paperwork from the Registrar’s Office.

What to Do Before You Meet

Your Advisor:

Be prepared with any questions or concerns you would like to ask or share with your advisor.  If you are meeting with your advisor to register for classes please adhere to the following points:

Use the curriculum worksheet for your program as a guide to selecting courses.  You can obtain one online or from the Academic Advisement Center.  Your advisor will also have a degree audit that shows your courses completed to date. 

If registering in person, fill out the top portion of the Registration Form (name, address, etc.) before you see your advisor.

Have a preliminary class schedule worked out before meeting with your advisor. 

It’s also a good idea to have “back-up” classes selected in case any of your first choices are closed, cancelled, or if you don’t have the prerequisites completed.

Remember… For every credit hour you take, you can expect to have two additional hours of work associated with that course every week. Example:  12 credits = 12 hours in class + 24 hours homework = 36 hours total;  6 credits = 6 hours in class + 12 hours homework = 18 hours total

The Role of the Academic Advisor

• Discuss student’s educational and career plans.
  
• Review test results, previous college credits, and courses needed as prerequisites.
  
• Review required program courses and make recommendations.
  
• Discuss student’s time constraints and other responsibilities.
  
• Refer students to appropriate office/individual when necessary. 

The Importance

of Academic Advisement

• Vital to long-term success.
  
• Link between student and institution.
  
• To help guide students through their educational journey.
  
• To help ensure educational and career goals are being met. 
  
• To help students adjust to a new environment.
  
• To help students clarify expectations.
  
• To reduce the initial student confusion.
  
• To enhance clarification on matters pertaining to the higher education experience.
  

What is Academic Advising?

Advising is a process in which advisor and advisee enter a dynamic relationship respectful of the student's concerns. Ideally, the advisor serves as teacher and guide in an interactive partnership aimed at enhancing the student's self-awareness and fulfillment.   --O'Banion, T. (1972). An academic advising model. Junior College Journal, 42, 62-69.

The Student-Advisor Relationship

The advisor/advisee relationship is one based upon shared responsibility. The following will examine the responsibilities the advisor and advisee share within the context of this relationship.

 

Student Responsibilities:

KNOW COLLEGE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Students should have and be familiar with the College Catalog and their SCCC Student Handbook. Both contain necessary policies and procedures, as well as requirements and deadlines.
PREPARE FOR ACADEMIC ADVISING CONFERENCES
Students are expected to obtain class schedules, review possible course options and prepare a trial schedule before meeting with an advisor.
Students are expected to schedule and keep advising appointments. Students should also contact advisors with any concerns about academic progress in any class during the course of a semester.
PROCESS ALL NECESSARY PAPERWORK
Students must obtain all necessary forms and signatures for dropping and adding classes. It is also the student’s responsibility to apply for graduation.
BE KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT FINANCIAL AID REGULATIONS
Students receiving financial aid must be knowledgeable about the consequences of no longer attending or withdrawing from classes in which they are enrolled.
ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR DECISIONS
Students are actively responsible for their college experience. Although an advisor may assist in pro­viding advice, encouragement, or support, ultimately each decision rests with the student. As a result, students must accept the consequences of these decisions.
CLARIFY PERSONAL VALUES AND GOALS
Just as it is a student’s responsibility to make decisions, it is also the student who must clarify personal values and academic and career goals. When students make these decisions, they empower them­selves and prepare for post-graduation lives.

Tips for Creating

a Semester Class Schedule

• Register during Advance Registration – save seats in the classes you want with no bill payment required until later in the semester.
  
• Be aware that courses are offered during the days, evenings, Saturdays, and online.
  
• Balance your schedule with other obligations in mind, such as family and work.
  
• Don’t overload your schedule – take 12 credits instead of 15 if you are questioning how much time you will have for coursework.
  
• Be prepared for more challenging academic work than you had in high school.
  
• Don’t register for early morning classes if you are not a morning person. The same applies for evening courses.
  
• Take courses in the correct sequence. Be sure to complete any pre-requisites (courses that prepare you for a higher level course) if applicable.
  
• Know the course requirements for your program of study. Enroll in classes that meet your degree requirements. The information is available in the College Catalog, on the SCCC Web site, and on individual curriculum worksheets located outside of Elston Hall, Room 222. See your academic advisor.
  
• If you’ve never taken an online course before, it’s not recommended until your second semester.
  
• Full-time study and full-time employment is never recommended.
  
• For every hour you’re in the classroom, allow an additional two hours of time for outside work.  Consider this when   deciding how many credits to register for.
  
• If transfer to a four-year institution is a possibility, be sure to register for courses that will transfer to the institution you have in mind. If you aren’t sure about the institution, connect with the transfer Counselor (Elston Hall, Room 222) soon.

Steps to Success

• Attend your classes, arrive on time and come prepared to participate.
  
• Stay organized, set a schedule and manage your time wisely.
  
• Take good notes. If you need assistance, visit The Learning Center in Elston Hall, Room 523.
  
• Take advantage of campus resources including Tutor Services, The Learning Center, Math Lab and Accounting/CIS Lab.
  
• Don’t procrastinate, finish work early in case something comes up.
  
• For every 1 hour of class time allow 2 hours to study and complete assignments.
  
• Balance your academics with work, family and a social life.
  
• Get involved with campus activities.
  
• Register for FSS 120 (First Year Success Seminar) and CSS 116 (Skills for College Success), which are both 1-credit courses.
  

Degree Audit

For currently enrolled students click on the Records & Registration tab on the bottom of the homepage. After logging in you can view your degree audit from the main menu.

Important Information

for Undeclared Students:

• Selecting a program of study (major) can be a difficult and confusing decision. Maintaining academic motivation may be a struggle for students who are uncertain about their program of study. Please refer to the following resources to help you make this decision:
  
• Read the College Catalog for descriptions of the different programs and courses available.
  
• Use electives as a way to explore possible options.
  
• Call the Academic Advising Center at 381-1277 to speak with an Academic Advisor or a Career Counselor. You can also visit the Student Development Center, Elston Hall, Room 222.
  
• Visit the Opportunity Zone in Elston Hall, Room 221-I and work with career coaches and peer mentors from the Career and Employment Services office to assist you in moving your ideas to meaningful actions.  Begin immediately to discover, explore and take action on those thoughts that caused you to enroll in college. They help connect students to the world of work by involving them within their community through employment, internships, clubs and organizations, and volunteer service. Call 836-2807 or 381-1365 to schedule an appointment, visit our website at www.sunysccc.edu/ces or just stop by.
  
• Call Student Activities at 381-1335 to find out about clubs, organizations and other activities available on campus. Focus on those activities that are related to your areas of interest.
  
• Talk to other students who are majoring in programs you are considering.
  
• Talk to department chairs and faculty members in all areas you are considering.
  
• Talk to people currently employed in an area in which you are interested.
  
• Meet with your advisor frequently to discuss your thoughts and ask additional questions.
  

Useful Links

Curriculum Worksheets: http://www.sunysccc.edu/academic/courses/programs/
Guide to Selecting Electives: http://www.sunysccc.edu/academic/Guide%20to%20selecting%20electives.pdf
Link to GPA Calculator: www.sis.umd.edu/gpacalc/html.html
Career Counseling: http://www.sunysccc.edu/student/Counseling/counselinghome.htm
Transfer Counseling: http://www.sunysccc.edu/student/Counseling/counselinghome.htm
Personal Counseling: http://www.sunysccc.edu/student/Counseling/counselinghome.htm
Financial Aid: http://www.sunysccc.edu/adm-fin/financial.htm
Registration: http://www.sunysccc.edu/academic/acadser/webreg.htm

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