THE ESSENTIALS OF ACADEMIC ADVISING HKU Ms Katherine

THE ESSENTIALS OF ACADEMIC ADVISING @HKU Ø Ms. Katherine Wan, Head, AAO Ø Ms. Rachel Hong, Academic Adviser, AAO Ø Dr. Anthony Tam, Academic Adviser, Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Engineering Academic Advising Office September 28, 2016

THE ACADEMIC ADVISING SYSTEM IN HKU Academic Advising Committee (AAC) Academic Advising Office (AAO) CEDARS • Counsellors & Clinical Psychologists • Student Advising Officers • AAO Academic Advisers Faculties Referrals among units as necessary Halls • Wardens • Residential Tutors • Residential Student Advisers (RSA) • Faculty Academic Advisers (FAA) • Temporary Academic Advisers (TAA) • Faculty Student Advisers (FSA)

ROLE OF FACULTY ACADEMIC ADVISER (FAA)

ROLES OF FAA AND TAA FACULTY ACADEMIC ADVISER (FAA) u Teachers from Faculties u Advise first year students of home faculty u Meet with advisees at least once every semester in advisees’ first year of studies u Support students in study-related matters and make referrals TEMPORARY ACADEMIC ADVISER (TAA) u Teachers u Give specific programme information for home and nonhome students u Explore Major / Minor options u Assigned upon request from students (last for 90 days)

ACADEMIC CONCERNS OF FIRST YEAR STUDENTS Course selection 4. 43* Academic goal and study plan Adjustment to the University learning styles Curriculum structure of my programmes Selection of major / minor programmes Other matters such as 4. 04 � 4. 04 3. 92 3. 89 Common Core courses, exchange credits, management of study load, collaborative skills to handle team projects and balance between study and extra-curricular activities. * Ratings on a 5 -point Likert Scale

FAA’s role is to guide Advisees to navigate their university education 6

BARRIERS TO ADVICE SEEKING Do you know Students are worried… § I don’t know what questions I should ask. § How should I greet my FAA? I don’t know what is the proper manner and tone to talk with him. § My English is terrible, what if Professor could not understand what I said? I don’t even know how to pronounce her name. § Seeing my Professor by myself gets me nervous. § Professor might ask me questions about my failed courses that I couldn’t answer. That students did badly might be also one reason why they are reluctant to see Advisers.

HOW TO SUPPORT WEAK STUDENTS A student will be recommended for discontinuation if he or she: Failed to obtain a minimum of 36 credits in two consecutive semesters not including the summer semester (except when stated not required); OR Failed to achieve an average Semester GPA of at least 1. 0 for two consecutive semesters not including the summer semester; OR Exceeded the specified maximum period of registration for the curriculum - normally 150% of the normative period of study OR *other triggers – e. g. failing a particular course / requirement three times

HOW TO HELP ACADEMICALLY AT RISK STUDENTS Spot them early Academic e. g. repeated absence, failed courses, missed exam, no-show to meet Personal/Social/ Family e. g. withdrawal, lack of motivation, loss in weight Diagnose the causes Academic skills ? Motivation ? Study Strategies ? Non-academic interference ? Make Referrals if necessary (Smart Guide P. 20, 22)

WHAT AM I EXPECTED TO DO? -YOUR ADVISING TIMELINE- Advising Freshmen starts before semester Email advisees for first meeting and enter record Sept Semester 1 Oct Semester 2 Jan Nov Press “No response” button in SIS if students do not show up (Smart Guide P. 5) Press “No response” button in SIS if students do not show up Mar Feb Email advisees for second meeting and enter record

SIMPLE ADVISING TOOLS IN SIS

AAO WEBSITE : ONLINE FACULTY-SPECIFIC ADVISING RESOURCES FOR DIFFERENT ISSUES http: //aao. hku. hk/faculty-staff/quick-help/quick-links-foss-faas/

AAO WEBSITE: ACADEMIC PLANNING CHART 13

AAO WEBSITE : REFERENCE GUIDES 14

Need More Support ? Contact AAO UG 07, Knowles Building http: //aao. hku. hk 2219 4686 aaoffice@hku. hk