All NSU students have had the opportunity to meet with his or her academic adviser. Everyone has had their own experiences and have formed their own opinions about them. I was under the impression that advisers are supposed to help us, but do they? During the registration process, scheduling process, and orientation process, oh yes, friendliness and “valuable” information is always present in an adviser’s greeting. But after that, it’s a different story.
Sure, academic advisers are clean-cut and have a nice office on the third floor of NSU’s Mailman-Hollywood building. They even have a courteous secretary who tracks their appointments. On your way out, she smiles and hands you a questionnaire to fill out about the experience. It’s always satisfying to meet with my adviser. So much so, that I dread booking the appointment.
I don’t know about other NSU students, but I dislike calling my academic adviser’s direct line and having his voicemail talk back to me. Every time I call, it’s always the same. It takes about a month for him to answer my calls. After months of calling, I decided to call the Office of Academic Advising to book my appointment. Students are always guaranteed to have their calls answered, and when secretaries say they will call you right back, they actually do.
Unfortunately, my academic adviser’s voicemail doesn’t mention calling the Office of Academic Advising if students can’t reach him or her. Therefore, many students are left with unanswered questions, especially when it’s an emergency.
When I schedule an appointment for noon, rest assured that my adviser has just stepped out for lunch. I have witnessed the secretary call him numerous times to inform him that I have been waiting. I adore the response I receive when the adviser greets me an hour later.
“I hope you weren’t waiting for me too long,” he says, chewing the last bit of his lunch.
Usually, I remain calm, but visibly annoyed. I will never forget when my adviser pulled out my file and the wrong major was on the folder. It was humorous to him that I was taking all of the wrong classes. It was my second semester at NSU, so I didn’t waste a lot of time. I often wonder what happens to students who never notice.
It’s extremely upsetting when I receive an email from my adviser who says my class has been canceled for the semester. He goes on to mention that I could register for a different one through NSU’s course wizard. I reply to his email and explain that I am out of town. I also say that it’s difficult for me to gain Internet access and if he could lend a helping hand when I return, it would be greatly appreciated. I expect a response, but never receive one.
The only time advisers respond is when students forward a copy of their emails to the dean. That usually upsets the adviser.
In one of the email replies I received from my adviser, he apologized for canceling an “unnecessary” class, which was actually essential for my major. Needless to say, I received an email from the dean’s secretary with an apology for my inconvenience.
Sometimes, students are unable to graduate as expected because their adviser hasn’t given them the correct course information. The toll can be devastating. After four years of college, most students would like to progress. It’s unfair when they remain behind because courses aren’t offered until the next semester.
Inadequacy drives students insane. Not all advisers have a terrible reputation, but most of them do. It’s embarrassing and I would expect more from a private institution.
It would be beneficial if academic advisers were informed that they are at the disposal of their clients. They hold NSU students’ futures in their hands. It’s vital that our records are kept safe, so there aren’t any misunderstandings. I know that there are many students out there who are just as frustrated as I am. Maybe those “smart” people on campus will have the opportunity to read this and recognize how important this matter truly is.
