Academic Advising for FYE Students
Towson University is committed to providing comprehensive advising designed to enrich the educational experiences of every student. Advising provides the opportunity for students to identify valuable campus resources, to understand university policies and procedures and to develop an academic plan that successfully fulfills personal and educational goals. However, the value of advising as a campus resource is dependent on your level of engagement as a student. A successful and rewarding advising experience requires the adviser and the advisee to actively work together as a team.
The First-Year Experience (FYE) is an advising program for freshmen that pairs each incoming student with a professional adviser or a faculty member who has received special training. You and your FYE adviser will work together throughout the first-year to help you gain an understanding of the college experience and to create a foundation for academic success. All FYE students must meet with their assigned FYE adviser each term to discuss their academic plan and to have their FYE advising hold removed prior to registering for classes.
After the first year, students who have declared a major will transition to major-based academic advising. Second-year students with a declared major will be assigned to a departmental faculty adviser. Students who have not declared a major by the end of their first year will be advised by a professional adviser in the Academic Advising, Retention & Completion Office in their second year.
| Student responsibilities in the FYE academic advising process: | Academic adviser responsibilities in the academic advising process: |
| Become knowledgeable about academic policies, procedures and requirements by reviewing the online undergraduate catalog (including Core Curriculum and major department requirements) | Provide accurate information about university policies, procedures and academic requirements (including Core Curriculum, graduation and major department programs) |
| Regularly check your campus email account and keep an open line of communication with your assigned adviser | Serve as a link between students and the campus community, including helping with transitional issues and understanding of campus resources |
| Know your TU student ID number | Assist students in identifying and assessing goals and objectives as part of developing an academic plan |
| Know how to use your academic requirements. Report to understand your progress toward satisfying graduation requirements | Provide registration information and advice regarding course selection appropriate to the student’s academic plan |
| Meet with your adviser on a regular basis, at least twice every term; arrive on time; be prepared to talk about your academic plan; bring a list of questions and your new student guide | Assist students in understanding academic progress using the academic requirements report |
| Understand campus resources and proactively seek assistance as needed | |
| Take responsibility for your choices and overall academic experience |
ADVISING HOLDS YOU MIGHT SEE ON YOUR ACCOUNT
You can find information on the necessary steps to have advising holds removed by clicking on the hold in your student dashboard.
FYE – First-Year Experience Program
DCP – Degree Completion Plan (at 45 credits a Degree Completion Plan must be filed)
IAP – Intentional Advising Program
ARP – Academic Renewal Program
AW – Academic Warning
ADO – Advising & Orientation (for new freshmen or new transfers)
The Academic Advising, Retention & Completion Office offers professional and peer advising to assist students with general questions about academic programs and policies. The office does not provide major-specific advising; rather, we help students find resources and understand TU’s academic programs and policies.
The FYE Advising Process
Your FYE adviser is assigned to you based on your major and other academic interests, as indicated on your academic interest form. Students with declared majors are typically assigned an FYE adviser in their major department or academic college.
Students who are undecided about a major are typically assigned an adviser from the Academic Advising, Retention & Completion Office. Athletes and other special groups are assigned accordingly.
Your FYE adviser’s name is listed on your course schedule under ORIE 305 in the fall and ORIE 306 in the spring. You can also find your FYE adviser’s name on your student dashboard.
Every first-year student is required to meet with their assigned adviser prior to registering for the following term. FYE advising holds are removed by your FYE adviser during your advising session.
Registration for the spring term usually begins in November. Registration for the fall term usually begins in April. The academic advising process will vary with each adviser. Your adviser will notify you via TU email with details of advising meetings.
How Your First-Term Schedule Was Created
Your initial schedule was created based on many factors, including the following:
When your academic interest form was received
Math placement test score and High School math courses
AP/IB or transfer credit
Academic interests
Time constraints
Residential or commuter status
availability of courses
Overview of key dates in the FYE advising calendar:
Fall term:
August: Mandatory group advising meeting during Welcome to TU
September: Individual check-in meeting with your adviser
October: Mandatory group advising meeting
November: Mandatory individual advising meeting (the advising hold placed on your registration access for spring cannot be removed without this advising session)
Spring term:
March: Mandatory group advising meeting
April: Mandatory individual advising meeting (the advising hold placed on your registration access for fall cannot be removed without this advising session)
In addition to the dates above, you can make an appointment to
meet with your adviser at any time during the term. More detailed information about the FYE schedule for the year can be found on your ORIE 305 and ORIE 306 syllabi.
Campus Email Policy
Your academic adviser will communicate with you through your TU email account. Please activate your TU email account and check it regularly during the term so that you don’t miss key information such as advising meetings, deadlines or other time-sensitive information. For confidentiality purposes, when communicating via email please use your TU email address and include your student ID number
Media Attributions
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