Skip to content

UAAC Meeting Minutes - February 19, 2015

UAAC MEETING NOTES

February 19, 2015

Present:  Teri Clawson, Brad Merrill, Emily Edmonston, Brian Stelbotsky (Admissions); Anthony Shirley (American Indian Resource Center); Colby Vranes, Erik Weierholt, Brandon Gorman, Lauren Storer (Athletics); Rachel Osterman, Amanda Miller, Tracie Noyes, Nicole Legarreta (Business); Tracey Farnsworth (Chemical Engineering); Richard Ernst (Chemistry); Alexi Crabb (Civil Engineering); Travis Ciaramella (Communication); Vicki Jackson (Computing); Ashley Talamante, Cynthia Ruiz (Economics); Loren Finn, Sara Bachynski (Exercise and Sport Science); Liz Leckie (Fine Arts); Shari Lindsey (Health); Heidi Collier (Health Promotion and Education); Erica Rojas, Michelle Taliaferro, Aaron Reynolds, Holly Pokorny (Honors); Liz Kociolek (Learning Abroad); Leslie Giles-Smith (Learning Success Center); Elizabeth Henke (Master of Public Policy); Joy Velarde (Mechanical Engineering); Mary Ann Dresher (Music); Ana Nelson (Political Science); Kate Keddington (Psychology); Emily Johnson, Zach Klc (Registrar’s Office); Bobbi Davis (Social and Behavioral Science); Lam Nguyen (Social Work); Jen Molloy, Wazir Jefferson, Jon Bernal (Student Success and Empowerment Initiative); Sharon Aiken-Wisniewski, Leslie Park, David Eisen, John Nilsson, Martina Stewart, Steve Hadley, Tammy Mabey, Jency Brown, Heather Crum, Marilyn Hoffman, Terese Pratt, Jen Wozab (Academic Advising Center); Lena May-Fraser, Kira Jones, Brett Runnion (Academic Advising Center / Fine Arts); Angie Gardiner (Academic Advising Center / Mathematics), Tamara Young (Academic Advising Center / Physics and Astronomy).    Total:  60

Admissions – Brad Merrill and Teri Clawson

  • Holds for missing credentials will become active on March 5.
  • The second round of admissions is about to be released.

Registrar’s Office – Emily Johnson and Zach Klc

  • The Registrar’s Office currently has four positions open.
  • The Graduation division is doing preliminary evaluations now, for Spring 2015; communications are only sent to students who have deficiencies.  Spring 2015 applications are still being accepted (with a late fee), through March 6; beginning March 9, applications must include a petition (as well as the late fee).
  • Spring enrollment has decreased 1% from last year.
  • Dates / deadlines:
  • March 4 -- second-half classes begin
  • March 23 – registration for Summer 2015 begins (registration dates became available on February 16)
  • March 2 – class schedule and registration dates for Fall 2015 become available

Financial Aid – no report

Scholarships – no report

Curriculum Administration – no report

DARS/GPS – Emily Johnson for Tammy Nguyen

  • Tammy has been working on curriculum changes for 2015-16 and has sent some out for review.
  • Emily is handling the DARS e-mail inbox this week.

Advisor Education and Development – Leslie Park

  • Upcoming events for new advisors (though all are welcome) include technology training on March 3, and an advising basics session on April 7.  Information (including how to RSVP) is being sent out via the listserv.
  • The next campuswide inservice will be on March 12 (no RSVP needed; more information to come).
  • The annual UAAC advising conference is set for March 27; the planning committee has put together a great set of presentations by advisors from across campus.
  • Terrell Strayhorn, of Ohio State University, will be on campus in early April.  UAAC has been able to partner with others on campus to schedule a one-hour session with him, on April 2 (midday); advisors are encouraged to mark their calendars for this special opportunity.  (For more information on Dr. Strayhorn and his work, see https://chee.osu.edu/people/strayhorn-terrell.html.) 

Orientation – no report

Transfer Student Issues – Terese Pratt

  • The Transfer Program blog is up and running (transfer.utah.edu); there is much helpful information to be found there.

Committee Reports

Mandatory Advising Program – Martina Stewart

  • This fall, 83% of students (a record number) were advised early enough for them to receive priority registration for Spring 2015.  Thanks to all advisors for their efforts (lanyards distributed)
  • On March 5, new first-year students will receive an e-mail regarding their mandatory advising meeting.  When meeting with these students, advisors should mark the advisor meeting panel to enable early registration for Fall 2015, and clear the advising hold.
  • On March 2, second-year students will be sent an e-mail, reminding them of their registration hold.

Advisor Awards – Angie Gardiner

  • The call for nominations for the UAAC outstanding advisor awards went out, and the submission deadline is March 6.
  • Mayumi Kasai’s name is being submitted to NACADA this year, in nomination for a primary role advisor award.  There are other advising awards given by NACADA; those who would like to nominate someone, please talk to Angie (gardiner@math.utah.edu) or Shari Lindsey (shari.lindsey@health.utah.edu).

Marketing and PR for Advising – Sharon Aiken-Wisniewski for Taunya Dressler

  • The Committee has been reviewing data from last year’s focus groups (students and advisors); a faculty focus group is currently ongoing.  Efforts are underway to connect with a professional marketer, with the aim of developing a logo for academic advising. 
  • Each committee member is attending the meetings of one other committee, to facilitate gathering of ideas as well as collaboration.

The Advisor Position – John Nilsson for Jessica Taverna

  • The Committee is gathering much information regarding what advisors are actually doing (as well as what they think they should be doing); surveys are currently underway.  Job descriptions (from Human Resources) are also being examined.

Assessment of Advising – Steve Hadley

  • The Committee is coordinating with other committees on collection of survey data (to avoid duplication or inundating advisors with requests for data).  Under consideration:  an inservice to discuss assessment data and how best to use it (e.g., how can student satisfaction with advising be increased).  If departments and/or programs are already collecting data from their students, the Committee would like to be made aware of it (contact Steve at shadley@uc.utah.edu). 

Appreciative Advising – Liz Leckie and Leslie Park

  • The Committee is eager to begin sharing what has been learned during the “Disarm” phase (some examples were presented, which include:  physical changes in advising offices; making healthy treats available to advisees; and displaying a US map with indications of where current transfer students hail from).  More examples are displayed on the advising blog (http://advising.blogspot.com/2015/02/discover-challenge.html).  Other ideas mentioned:  before each advising meeting, look at the advising notes (if any) and acknowledge the student’s return (“it’s nice to see you again”); and make an effort to eliminate distractions by reducing office clutter.
  • The “Discover” phase of the Appreciate Advising Challenge is beginning; the focus will be on getting to know students better, their backgrounds and unique stories, goals, etc.  (handout card)

Continuing and New Business

Math prerequisite change:  Angie Gardiner reminded those present about the change in prerequisite for MATH 1060, beginning in Fall 2015.  Note:  students who need to take 1060 in Summer 2015 (when the prerequisite is still MATH 1010) may need to get a permission code.

UAAC co-chair:  Shari Lindsey reminded the group that her term as co-chair is coming to an end, which means a great opportunity for someone else.  If interesting in serving (for a three- or four-year period) – or to place a name in nomination – please contact Shari.

Women’s Week:  Kira Jones distributed information about the upcoming Women’s Week (March 6 – 12) and described the various events to take place.  Information is available at diversity.utah.edu/womens-week.

Physics and Astronomy prerequisites:  Tamara Young noted that she was contacted recently by Salt Lake Community College (SLCC), in regard to University of Utah students who have tried to register for the Physics 2210 and 2220 courses there.  Both students and advisors should note that it can take four to six weeks for SLCC to evaluate whether students meet the prerequisites for these courses.  These course can be transferred back to the University if (a) the student has not also taken the class(es) here, or (b) if they have taken the class(es) here but received a failing grade.

TRIO Day:  On February 24, the TRIO program will host an open house from 1pm to 5pm in 2075 Annex; this is a good opportunity for students and advisors to learn more about the program.

Tip of the Month:

University Counseling Center (426 SSB, 801-581-6826)http://counselingcenter.utah.edu/

Students experience stress for a variety of reasons during their college experience.  It could be a course exam, a family situation, a relationship issue, or an audition.  Regardless of the reason or point in the semester, it is important that students are aware of resources, such as the University Counseling Center.  Take a minute to review their services via the website referenced above.

 

THE Next UAAC meeting IS SCHEDULED FOR

THURSDAY, MARCH 19 at 2:00pm IN AEB, ROOM 320

****************

Information Items

  • Jan. 17 - 23:  MLK Activities and Celebration  http://diversity.utah.edu/events/martin-luther-king
  • Jan. 28 – MUSE Lecture by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor at Huntsman Center (Need Ticket)
  • February 3 – Learning Abroad Fair (11 – 2 in Union)
  • February 5 – Summer Job Fair (10 – 2 in Union)
  • February 10 – Spring Career Fair (9 – 3 PM in Union)
  • February 26 – Proposals Due for 2015 NACADA Annual Conference - http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/Events-Programs/Events/Annual-Conference.aspx
  • March 6-12:  Women’s Week http://diversity.utah.edu/events/womens-week
  • March 11 – 13:  NACADA Region Ten Conference in Boulder, CO
  • March 27 - U of U Advising Conference
  • May 7 & 8 - University Commencement & Convocation Exercises
  • May 20-21 – Utah Advising Assn., St. George, UT

Spring 2015 Academic Calendar Available at:  http://registrar.utah.edu/academic-calendars/spring2015.php
 

U of U Academic Advising Mantra/Creed/Philosophy

As educators and problem solvers, we advocate for students as they navigate their personal journey of higher education and attain their academic goals. Through inclusion and connection, we open doors to new opportunities for self-awareness and growth, empowering students to define their roles as citizens within local and global communities.

Academic Advising Tagline

*Academic Advising: Planning with Purpose

Last Updated: 8/21/23