Advising

Advising at Cabrini starts before students arrive on campus. Before students start classes, they are introduced to academic and social life at Cabrini through Summer Orientation.

They complete an academic questionnaire and placement exams for mathematics and foreign language, before meeting with an academic advisor to generate their first semester’s course schedule.

College 101
Students start off on the right foot in a first-semester advising program, COL 101 College Success.

Their COL 101 instructor serves as their first-semester academic advisor.

Major-specific Advising
After their first semester is complete, students have the option to formally declare a major.

When they do, they'll be assigned to a permanent faculty advisor within their academic department.

Meeting with Advisors

To best utilize advisor support, students should:

maintain an open line of communication with their advisor
meet with their advisors multiple times throughout each semester
plan specific meetings to schedule coursework

During the fall and spring semesters, advisors are easily contacted via phone or email, and all faculty members are required to post office hours on their office doors.

Office hours vary. A listing of office hours is posted outside Faculty Support.

Advisors may or may not be available during winter or summer breaks. Students who are unable to reach the advisor and needing immediate assistance should contact Academic Affairs.

Students who are unsure who their advisor is should contact the Registrar at 610.902.8545 or visit the Cavalier Express Center.

Responsibilities

The relationship between student and advisor is one of shared responsibility.

Ultimately, students are responsible for their choices and being aware of academic status, but advisors are guides and mentors to help students make informed decisions.

A student’s advisor is the primary resource for academic issues, procedures, programs, and opportunities.

Advisors post and keep regular office hours or arrange mutually convenient alternate meeting times. They are respectful of each student as an individual and responsive to students’ needs to the best of their abilities.

Advisors are able to:

offer advice on selecting courses and developing an academic plan that meets graduation requirements and also interests, skills, and long-range goals
discuss academic performance and implications for successful degree completion and career opportunities
clarify Cabrini policies, regulations, and procedures
serve as a resource and refer students to academic support services or other offices as appropriate

Students are responsible for:

learning about academic standards, policies, procedures, and requirements for general education (core curriculum) and major/minor graduation requirements
becoming knowledgeable about career paths and the academic requirements necessary to achieve goals
taking the initiative to contact and make appointments with their advisors frequently
Preparing for meetings and bringing all relevant materials
asking questions and seeking help and guidance as needed
consulting advisors before making any important academic decisions, such as declaring a major or minor, scheduling courses, or withdrawing
responding to all letters, phone calls, or emails from advisors or other Cabrini officials as soon as possible
keeping records of all advising materials, course schedules, grades, academic notices, receipts, and other documents relevant to academic progress
immediately notifying Cabrini and advisor of any name, address, or contact information changes or if problems arise (e.g., medical, personal) that will impact the ability to successfully complete courses or academic programs
observing all deadlines, and abiding by all policies and procedures