Advising Mission and Learning Outcomes

Students come to SUNY Cortland with differing academic experiences, varying needs and diverse backgrounds. Advisement plays a crucial role in helping students grow as engaged citizens, which is part of the College's mission statement. Students and advisors have important responsibilities in this process.

SUNY Cortland views academic advisement as serving two functions. First, the advisement process helps the student to satisfy immediate, short-term needs for selecting courses, scheduling and registration. Second, academic advisement endeavors to assist students to develop meaningful educational plans that are compatible with their life goals. A successful advisement process must represent a balance of these two components: registration and student development. 

Academic Advising Learning Outcomes

Engagement and Development
Students will:

• Know who their academic advisor is, how to contact them and will make an initial connection.
• Know how to access and utilize campus resources to achieve their educational goals.
• Be able to articulate a connection between their major (concentration/minor) and career goals. 

Advisement and Registration
Students will:

• Know and utilize advisement and registration resources.
• Articulate their academic requirements and appropriate university policy.
• Register for courses each semester.

Academic Planning and Support
Students will:

• Develop a plan for degree completion.
• Develop skills and strategies for academic success.
• Seek assistance and support when needed.

Guiding Principles
Advisement at Cortland is based on the premise that academic advisement should help students develop a sense of responsibility for their academic program and progress toward their educational goals. To that end, the advisement process should:

- assist students in becoming independent learners
- assist students in the process of selecting appropriate educational experiences and planning for the future
- help students in their pursuit of academic and personal development
- guide students through their degree and help them clarify academic goals
- provide students with information about college services that can assist in addressing academic issues and personal concerns
- help students understand College policies and academic expectations
- assist students to identify, clarify and assess alternatives as well as potential consequences of academic decisions
- guide students in becoming a part of a diverse and supportive academic community