Roles of Academic Advisors, Students and Parents
Each of us plays a different part in your student’s journey to academic success.
Advisor Responsibilities
- Protect and secure the integrity of Rivier University by enforcing all policies and requirements
- Understand and effectively communicate the curriculum, requirements, and academic policies and procedures
- Encourage and guide students to define and develop clear and realistic educational goals
- Provide students with information about and strategies for utilizing campus resources and services
- Be accessible for meetings during office hours by appointment, telephone or email
- Assist students in gaining decision-making skills and in assuming responsibility for a student’s educational plan and decisions
- Maintain confidentiality (we will not discuss issues with parents or non-college persons without your written permission)
- Act as the student’s advocate within the college
- Register students for classes and assist them in making any schedule changes during the semester
Student Responsibilities
- Schedule appointments or make regular contact with your advisor each semester
- Come prepared to appointments with questions or materials for discussion
- Ask questions if you do not understand an issue or have a specific concern
- Connect with faculty in your department of study
- Keep a personal record of your progress towards academic goals
- Organize documents in a way that enables you to access them when needed
- Become knowledgeable about college programs, resources, degree requirements, policies and procedures
- Complete all assignments or recommendations from your advisor
- Gather all relevant information before making decisions that affect your educational goals
- Clarify personal values and goals and provide advisor with accurate and truthful information regarding your interests and abilities
- Accept responsibility for your actions or inactions that affect your educational progress and goals
Parent Responsibilities
- Become knowledgeable about college programs, resources, degree requirements, policies and procedures
- Maintain an open and regular line of communication with your student
- Ask your student questions related to their personal well-being and social adjustment in addition to academics
- Discuss each other’s expectations regarding money, grades, studies, contact, work, relationships and life skills
- Encourage your student to ask for help
- Encourage your student to seek out campus resources
- Be available to support and encourage your student
- Offer advice (when appropriate)
- Encourage your student to do things they can do for themselves
- Allow students to make mistakes in this safe environment
- Recognize that college is an important step in the process of your student realizing their autonomy