Seminar Advisors
Personalized advising every step of the way.
We’ve got your back!
Advising From Day One to Degree
Seminar Instructors are Advisors
Seminar instructors are also academic advisors: they design advising into their courses and they hold many office hours to be available as a trusted resource. Instructors do more than help select classes; they mentor learners, guide them towards opportunities, and help them sort out a wide array of challenges and questions. One of the biggest advantages of participating in a yearlong seminar sequence is that everyone gets to know everyone else, allowing learners to share ideas and experiences, to build community, and to feel a sense of belonging. And, because of smaller class sizes, instructors also get to know their seminar students. Because instructors are also advisors, they can be there for a letter of recommendation, a reference, or a little advice about a decision or plan of action.
Why Having a Great Advisor Matters
Learners enrolled in seminars achieve many markers of success. Their successes are due not just to improving academic skills, but to building a relationship with a knowledgeable and caring advisor. Having a great instructor who is also an academic advisor is a win-win situation. Research shows that learners who participate in a first-year seminars are more likely graduate in four years; stay enrolled and engaged because they feel they belong; have more frequent and meaningful interactions with faculty and peers; are more involved in co-curricular activities; feel increased satisfaction with their college experience; have more positive perceptions of themselves as learners; achieve higher grades.
Advising Every Step of the Way
Advising often begins in seminars, but learners will have many advisors and mentors throughout their academic careers. Learners may have more than one advisor at any given time, depending on their educational goals. For students enrolled in a seminar, instructors will be the go-to contact for questions. As learners move along their journey at SOU, they may encounter a Student Success Coordinator, a major and/or minor advisor or an advisor who is part of a special program, certificate or study abroad opportunity. Whatever questions arise, an academic advisor will be available to guide and to mentor. At SOU, a caring advisor will always have your back.
Advising FAQs
What if I need to find out who my advisor is?
Learners in a Purposeful Learning Seminar course meet with their Seminar Instructor for advising. All other students contact a Student Success Coordinator.
Can I see who my advisor is/advisors are from InsideSOU?
Yes! Log into your Inside SOU account and look on the right-hand side in the blue box labeled Online Services. Click on DegreeWorks for Students. Your Advisor is listed at the top, and their name is a link to their email address – OR, under Banner Self-Serve click on Academic Profile. In the box labeled Academic Profile select Student Info and then submit. If you have an assigned advisor, you will see their name. You can search the online directory with the advisor’s name for their e-mail information. If an advisor’s name does not appear, follow the advice above to get an advisor.
What is an advising plan?
An advising plan is a set of courses to be completed within the next few terms. Making an advising plan is an opportunity for students to discuss their goals with their advisor. Southern Oregon University requires all students to have an advising plan and those plans must be updated at least annually with their advisor. Advisors may require students to meet with them more than once a year, if necessary.
Why do I need an advising plan?
SOU is committed to supporting our learners in their academic goals. The university wants to ensure all learners have an opportunity to discuss their plans and create goals for completing their education and future planning. Advising plans are also an essential tool for learners to complete their degrees in a timely manner, saving valuable time and money.
What happens if I don’t have an advising plan?
If an advising plan is expired or is not entered by an advisor, a registration hold will be placed on your student account and you will not be eligible to register for the next term until an updated plan is entered.
How do I know if I need an advising plan?
You will need an advising plan if you have not met with an advisor in the past year (Note: some plans, particularly for students with very few credits may require more frequent meetings). Students are contacted through their student e-mail account 30 days prior to the expiration of their advising plan – allowing them ample opportunity to meet with their advisor.
How do I get an advising plan?
Meet with your advisor to discuss your advising plan.