Meeting with Advisees

Contacting Advisees

Advisors can generate a list of all their advisees and send emails to one or all individuals on that list using the online advising system. The system can also be used to release ISIS access codes to advisees. Faculty log into the system using your e-mail password and login. If you have problems accessing the site, please write to

Scheduling Appointments

Please schedule expanded office hours during the week of October 31 so that students can sign up for an appointment. In the event students fail to come by during your expanded office hours, it is suggested that you schedule one or two subsequent group meetings rather than schedule individual meetings.

To enable advisees to schedule an appointment with you, use either the scheduling tool provided in the online advising system or post a sign-up sheet on your door. Be sure to let your advisees know via e-mail how to schedule an appointment with you.

Note that you should not release access information to students without first meeting with them in person.

Preparing for Advising on Course Selection

Review College information about course enrollment prior to meeting with advisees. Directors of Undergraduate Programs should also review information about major advising.

A course selection worksheet (.pdf, 49KB) and course enrollment time schedule worksheet (.pdf, 17KB) are available for students to help them plan their schedules, but it can also be useful for Advisors to keep track of student enrollments and plans.

Faculty use ISIS Online to access the VISTAA report or transcripts of any student in the College. You may find it helpful to ask each advisee to bring a VISTAA report with them when they meet with you. You may make this request when you contact your advisees to inform them of your office hours.

Legal Liability of Advisors

Richard C. Kast, Associate General Counsel for the University (; 924-3586), has issued the following statement on whether faculty can be held responsible for "faulty advice":

Generally, a faculty advisor who was sued for any reason would be entitled to representation, and would be insured in the event of a finding of liability, for acts undertaken in the scope of his or her employment. “Faulty advice” is probably not going to be a very compelling legal theory for a finding of liability, but of course anyone can file a suit, even if it is frivolous or silly.