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About the AIAC

About the AIAC

The Academic Information and Advising Center is staffed by professional DUS (Division of Undergraduate Studies) advisors. These advisors serve to convey the purpose of the university, provide information regarding academic policies and procedures, assist in developing short-term/long-term academic planning, and provide student referral to the various specialized campus services. The role of the advisor is consultative in nature and not one of approval or decision making. Final decisions and responsibility for those decisions rests with the student.
It is recommended that students meet with their assigned advisor an average of one time per month. The rationale behind this recommendation is that numerous meetings afford the student and advisor an opportunity to develop a relationship and explore academic and career goals. It is imperative that students meet with their advisor before embarking on any major academic
changes in order to be aware of possible problems.

                     What are the Responsibilities of Advisers and Advisees?

Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources. The college or department also will monitor the progress of its advisees towards satisfactory completion of all graduation requirements and inform students of their status each semester.
Advisees in turn will routinely contact their advisers each semester and will assume final responsibility for course scheduling, program planning, and the successful completion of all graduation requirements

  Responsibilities of Academic Adviser  (This means US)

The Academic Adviser's Role is to:

Help the advisee to understand the academic and administrative processes of the university and the nature of its academic programs. The adviser also seeks to understand each advisee's particular concerns affecting academic progress. The adviser neither grants nor denies administrative approval for particular academic actions. Help the advisee to understand the expected standards of achievement and likelihood of success in certain areas of study. Discuss the educational and career objectives suited to the advisee's demonstrated abilities and expressed interests. The adviser helps the advisee to understand the relationships among the courses, programs, undergraduate research opportunities, internships, study abroad programs, and other academic experiences provided by the university. Help the advisee to plan a course of study and give advice about courses and the adjustment of course loads. The adviser will inform the advisee about the prerequisites for subsequent courses in the advisee's program. Refer advisees to other resources when appropriate. Participate in the adviser training sessions provided by each college or department to keep informed and current.

  Responsibilities of Advisees  (This means You!)

The Advisee's Role in the Academic Advising Process is to:

Acquire the information needed to assume final responsibility for course scheduling, program planning, and the successful completion of all graduation requirements. Seek the academic and career information needed to meet educational goals. Become knowledgeable about the relevant policies, procedures, and rules of the university, college, and academic program. Be prepared with accurate information and relevant materials when contacting the adviser. Consult with the adviser at least once a semester to decide on courses, review the accuracy of the audit, check progress towards graduation, and discuss the suitability of other educational opportunities provided by the university.

Please feel free to check the home pages of various DUS staff members. Many have added links to a multitude of web sites which may be of use to students and their parents, as well as email links to each member. Staff members who have not developed web pages yet have email links.  The staff of the AIAC consists of the following personnel:

  Mrs. Joann Shaffer - Senior DUS Programs Coordinator

Ms. Kathy Eberhardt - Adult Center Counselor

Mrs. Joy Frank - DUS Programs Specialist

 Ms. Harriett Gaston - DUS Coordinator of Multicultural Programs

Mr. Scott Kelly - DUS Programs Specialist

Mrs. Jen Slusser - DUS Programs Specialist

Ms. Paula Templon - DUS Programs Specialist

Mr. Kevin Leddy - DUS Programs Specialist

Mrs. Sue Dodson - Staff Assistant

Mrs. Renee Bankert - Staff Assistant

Mrs. Rhonda Shawley - Staff Assistant
 

Hours of Operation FALL 2006
 

MONDAY - FRIDAY  8:00a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

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Penn State Altoona Copyright © 2006 Penn State Altoona; Academic Information & Advising Center
C112 Smith Building, 3000 Ivyside Park, Altoona, PA 16601
Phone: (814) 949-5084 or (814) 949-5281.
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