Advising

The Newnan LSA Academic Advising Center
1255 Angell Hall
(734) 764-0332
www.lsa.umich.edu/advising
e-mail: ask.lsa.advising@umich.edu

The Academic Advising Center serves LSA undergraduates by:

  • Helping them make informed decisions about educational goals and LSA curriculum.
  • Encouraging them to formulate an academic program appropriate to their individual interests and abilities.
  • Assisting them in evaluating their academic progress and performance.
  • Providing them accurate information about LSA policies and procedures.
  • Furnishing them an opportunity to explore the purposes of a liberal arts and science education.

Students first meet their academic advisors during the orientation period prior to their first term of matriculation. Student-advisor contact during orientation occurs over two days and includes a group meeting and two individual meetings. The group meeting includes a discussion of LS&A and its mission as a liberal arts college. The student and advisor become acquainted during the first individual meeting and explore the student's interests and academic purpose. During the second meeting, they plan the student's first term elections.   Advisors then follow up these contacts by inviting their advisees to come in for an appointment after the fall academic term has begun. The expectation is that students will want to discuss progress and challenges in the College with their advisors at this time. A similar outreach occurs during the winter academic term. Students generally choose to consult with the advisors whom they met during Orientation. Students may elect to make an appointment with any advisor who is available, or to see any advisor they prefer, but are encouraged to find one advisor with whom they can relate well and to see that advisor on a regular basis. General advisors keep regular appointment hours in the Academic Advising Center (1255 Angell Hall). A few academic advisors also maintain regular hours in the residence halls.

First- and second-year students most often see general advisors with questions about the transition to college, course elections, College requirements, opportunities for research, internships and study abroad, and with queries about how to choose a concentration or degree program.

Students in Bachelor of Arts (AB) or Bachelor of Science (BS) programs are expected to meet with a concentration advisor and formally declare their concentration by the end of their sophomore year. Students must also have their concentration advisors sign a Concentration Release Form when they are planning to graduate. Concentration advisors are, most often, faculty or staff members from LS&A departments who help students shape and focus their academic goals. They review students' progress in a concentration program, discuss how to apply to graduate or professional school, or explore job skills acquired in the study of a particular discipline. Students meet with concentration advisors in their departmental offices.

Students pursuing a Bachelor in General Studies (BGS) degree may consult with general advisors but are urged to make appointments with BGS advisors. BGS advisors are members of the Office of Academic Standards and Academic Opportunities and are housed in the Academic Advising Center. They are knowledgeable and experienced staff members familiar with the College rules, regulations, policies, and curriculum. BGS students should see a BGS advisor when they declare their degree program. It is strongly recommended that BGS students see a BGS advisor in the term in which they submit graduation materials. All BGS students are encouraged to see their advisors each term to discuss course elections and program planning.