Shared-advising system will help

undecided students find career path

In an effort to improve retention rates, NIU will implement a shared-advising system for undecided students beginning in the fall of 2005.

NIU now has a college- and department-based advising system. The change specifically targets freshmen and transfer students who have not declared a major or selected a college. Under the new structure, these students will be assisted by both a shared-advising office and the Counseling and Student Development Center (CSDC).

CSDC’s Career Services counselors assist students in exploring their career development and understanding the academic and career-choice process. This enables the students to make appropriate choices regarding major areas of study and career paths.

“We believe undecided students will be best served by advisors who are working in tandem with career counselors,” Vice Provost Earl “Gip” Seaver said.

The shared-advising unit will be established this fall and staffed with three new hires, including a coordinator. NIU’s Retention Task Force recommended the shared-advising system as a way to further help undeclared students, who are generally more at risk of leaving the university.

“Models show this integrated experience can improve retention rates,” Seaver said. “Our goal is to help students explore the huge number of options available at NIU and identify a major as soon as possible. The shared-advising system also will provide another referral resource for our faculty.”

In the fall of 2003, NIU enrolled 689 freshmen and 168 new transfer students who indicated on their applications that they were undecided. Additionally, students who do not qualify for limited-admission and limited-retention programs will find support through the shared-advising system.

“In today’s culture, there is a great deal of pressure to choose a major very early, based on limited information about what is available,” said Kathy Hotelling, director of the Counseling and Student Development Center. “That pressure comes from parents, peers and all of us who ask, ‘What is your major?’

“Students need to know that it’s OK to be undecided when they arrive on campus,” Hotelling added. “By virtue of having a specialized advising system devoted to those who are undeclared, the students will realize that they are not alone.”

Other facets of career development services for NIU students will remain in place. Once a student has chosen a major, advising will continue to be provided within the appropriate college or department.

8-9-04