Grad advice eases student confusion
By Christine Rhee
Daily Forty-Niner
For some students finding academic requirements
as puzzling as quantum physics, the Academic Advising Center can eliminate
the confusion.
The center, which receives about 36,000
visitors a year, provides students with help in scheduling classes and
figuring out their majorís requirements.
"If students have any questions, we want
them to just come in," said Marilee Samuelson, director of Cal State Long
Beach's advising center. "We can answer quick questions. No appointment
needed. More than anything, we welcome all students, and we want students
to feel comfortable when they come to our center."
In October, freshman will be required
to attend mandatory workshops, which will emphasize choosing general education
courses for the spring semester.
Advising holds are placed on the files
of freshman students if they fail to meet with an academic advisor. If
freshmen have to make changes to their schedules, they need to seek academic
advising.
This procedure prevents new students from
taking courses they may not be prepared to take. It also lowers the risk
of being placed on academic probation in the future.
The procedure has caused the percentage
of freshman on probation to dip, from 31 percent to 15 percent in the past
six years, said Suzanne Wurzer, assistant director of the advising center.
Other workshop discussions will
focus on academic probation policies and electing classes based on oneís
skills for the spring. The center is expecting at least 2,000 students
in workshops, some of which will take place in the residence halls.
"I came to the advising center to
know how I was doing," said junior Marie Lee, an economics major. "I donít
really know where I stand with my grades, GE classes and classes for my
major."
The advising center can also assist students
with general education requirements, understanding degree audits and other
university documents. They also refer students to other advisement
centers to assist with additional needs.
The center offers assistance with academic
program planning and information about academic probation policies and
disqualification, and the center provides the university's general advising
for undergraduates.
"Many freshman students visit us, but
half of the 36,000 are re-entry adult students or upperclassmen students
who come for grad checks," Wurzer said. "We're also a home base for
all undeclared students. We recommend for students to make appointments
and come to our center at least once a year to seek helpful advice."
Academic Advising is located at Library
East, Room 125. The advising center is open from 9 a.m. to noon and
1 to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 9 a.m. to noon Friday.
For more information, one may call (562)
985-4837. |
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