Senate supports new advising program

The Student Senate voted to pledge their support Tuesday for a new campus-wide academic advising program.

The program will implement a “total intake model” that would use trained, professional academic advisors to advise new students regarding their academic goals, according to a proposal from the Faculty Senate’s Advising Committee. The proposal did not mention a total cost for the new program.

  The professional advisors are intended to supplement the advising from department teachers, allowing first year, transfer and undeclared students to grasp a broader picture of what the University has to offer them, Kim Mogen professor of biology and member of the committee said.

  “This is not to take the place of those interactions,” Mogen said. “But to make sure these students get the breadth and depth in this advising, as well.”

  Mogen was joined by three other members of the Advising Committee who came to answer questions on the initial proposal: Brian Shultz of the College of Business and Economics, Sarah Egerstrom of the First Year Experience Program and Nan Jordahl, Assistant Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs.

  The motion to support the initial proposal passed 15-1. The Senate also added a recommendation that the committee require all departments to participate in the total intake model.

  Egerstrom said it could take 6-12 months to finalize a proposal, and 2-3 years for implementation.

  The Senate also voted unanimously to approve $1,000 in funds for the fifth annual Diversity Awards Banquet April 16.

  The Senate will vote on a $331,000 budget proposal for the Leadership Development and Programming Board at their next meeting, April 8, along with motions concerning shared governance fees and funding for student participation in the state-wide Building Unity Conference. The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. in the Willow River Room of the University Center.