University College Academic Advisors advise all freshmen with the exception of those participating in the honors program. We will meet regularly with you during your first year. University College Advisors are well versed in the unique needs of freshmen and wish to assist you as you make the transition to the college environment.
Advisors and peer advisors use this time to give you an overview of your first year course requirements and assist you with selection and registration for your first semester courses.
Your advisor will meet with you early in the Fall semester in order to discuss both academic and non-academic happenings and discuss your overall adjustment to college life. Advisors may make suggestions and referrals to other offices on campus. For instance, if you are interested in tutorial assistance for one of your classes, we can help you locate appropriate resources.
Several weeks after your first conference, you will return to meet with your academic advisor or peer advisor to discuss academic planning for the following semester. Then, you will register for spring coursework independently based on your assigned registration date and time. Advisors are available for walk-in hours during the week of freshmen registration to assist with immediate concerns. During the spring semester, your advisor and/or peer advisor will meet with you at least once to discuss academic planning for the fall semester of sophomore year, potential summer school classes, and the transition to your major department advising. You will then register independently according to your assigned date and time.
Once you have earned 24 credit hours or more and have a declared major, you are advised by the advisor/s in your major department. This typically begins the summer after your freshman year. If you earn 23 or fewer hours or you are undeclared, you are still advised by your University College advisor.
If you are undecided, it is important to begin taking some exploratory steps. Please see the Find Your Major Web site for more information. Please also be aware that Illinois State University has a policy requiring students have a declared major upon completing 75 credit hours.
Participation in Project Success, a program sponsored by Enrollment Management and Academic Services (EMAS), helps students set academic goals, become aware of campus services, understand probationary policies and ultimately return to good academic standing.
As part of the program, you are required to meet with your advisor to discuss your situation as well as set goals, identify resources, understand the ramifications of repeated probation, and plan for future semesters. We want to meet with you early in the semester to discuss Project Success.
Advisors are available during designated times for walk-in conferences. Please call (309) 438-7604 to determine your advisor’s walk-in hours. Walk-in conferences are typically brief conferences lasting no more than 15 minutes in order to accommodate as many students as possible.
Advisors frequently use e-mail with students, communicating important updates, deadlines, requirements, requests, and changes. You are responsible for checking your ilstu.edu account on a daily basis. For security purposes, faculty and staff only respond to student messages from ilstu.edu accounts. You are responsible for updating your phone number via the iCampus portal.
