Academic Advising Handbook
Advising Mission and Learning Outcomes
(approved by the faculty, May 19, 2023)
Our advising aims to empower students to discover their purpose, achieve their potential, and make the most of the rich liberal arts education and collaborative intellectual endeavor we offer.
Faculty advisers are at the center of our holistic advising network that supports students in their academic journey and progress toward a degree at the college. The network includes the Division of Student Life, Center for Life Beyond Reed, and the offices of the Registrar, Institutional Diversity, International Programs, and Financial Aid. The faculty adviser helps students understand the what and why of a Reed liberal arts education, and supports students to make responsible, informed decisions about their intellectual development. We help students identify and navigate a path through the curriculum in a way that most closely aligns with their interests; we offer suggestions, resources, and information about course selection, degree requirements, and opportunities to pursue individual interests within and beyond the academic program. Faculty advisers identify and support students struggling to achieve their goals and/or progress toward graduation. Academic advisers fulfill this mission in collaboration with staff, students, and other faculty across campus.
Our holistic, student-centered approach to advising will help you develop the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:
- Explore and articulate interests and goals, and craft a coherent educational plan that facilitates academic success, timely graduation, and pursuit of individual interests and goals
- Articulate what a Reed education means to you as a student.
- Understand what majors and minors are available.
- Understand the degree requirements of the college and the major.
- Develop long-term plans to meet your educational goals.
- Understand department/college policies (e.g., late withdrawal from courses, grade replacement, late adding of a course).
- Seek out and use information from diverse sources to achieve articulated educational goals:
- Understand where and how to access resources on campus (e.g., tutoring, career services, financial assistance).
- Engage with appropriate resources to meet individual needs for academic success.
- Proactively communicate with faculty adviser and articulate needs (e.g. prepare questions for an advising appointment)
- Demonstrate effective decision-making skills.
- Take responsibility for meeting academic program requirements
- Develop a plan for progress toward timely degree completion.
- Use the online registration system to enroll in classes.
- Use ATLAS for educational planning.
- Track academic calendar and deadlines