Parents

Frequently Asked Questions

Academics

1. How are students assigned an advisor?

   Within ASC/US (Advisement Services Center/ Undergraduate Studies), students are assigned to advisors essentially on a random basis. Once a student has declared his or her major, an advisor is assigned within the academic department.

2. How does a student change his/her major?

Students advised in Advisement Services need only tell their advisor about the new direction they wish to pursue. After declaring a major, changes to majors and minors are submitted through MyUAlbany.

3. What should a student do if he/she is having academic problems?

   If the problems are primarily concerned with a single course, the student should discuss this with the instructor of the course. Usually it is better to see the instructor during office hours (which should be listed on the instructor's syllabus for the course) rather than trying to catch the instructor right after class.

   Additionally, the Office of Academic Support Services has free "study groups" for certain key freshman and sophomore level courses and also maintains a list of students willing to serve as paid tutors. The math department staffs a "Math Room" and the English department maintains a "Writing Center" for students with problems with quantitative or writing assignments.

   If the problems involve several courses or an apparent overload of course work, the student should discuss this with the academic advisor. Dropping a course or, if the problem is detected early enough in the semester, rearranging one's schedule, may be a solution. Academic Support Services also schedules a series of workshops each semester (schedules available at the start of the semester) on time management, general study skills, listening skills, examination strategies, etc.

   Students with a previously known learning or other disability should already have been in contact with Disability Resource Center. Students who seemed to have no problem with their high school work but notice they are now having problems learning college material are also encouraged to contact this office.

   The key strategy for all of the above is timing: the sooner a possible problem is detected and brought to the attention of a faculty member, an academic advisor, Academic Support Services, or other offices, the more likely an effective solution can be achieved. Students who wind up on Academic or Terminal Probation at the end of a semester receive reminders of all the help available, are assigned a mentor, and are encouraged to enroll in U UNI 100 "The Freshman Experience," but it is certainly preferable for students to use the services available before they wind up on probation.

4. What if a student has a problem with a faculty member? When, at all, should a parent get involved?

   If a student is having a problem with a faculty member, it is best for the student to try to talk to the faculty directly. For example, if the student feels she or he is being treated unfairly by the instructor or that the instructor is "changing the rules" in midstream, the student should discuss this with the faculty member. If the student is not satisfied after speaking with the instructor, he/she should go to the department chair, program director, or school dean of the academic unit that offers the course. If still not satisfied, each college and school has an established grievance procedure allowing the student to pursue the matter further. Students who feel they are being treated differently or in an arbitrary or capricious manner should attempt to document examples.

   Students should know that all instructors of undergraduate courses must make available a syllabus, either in paper or electronic format, to each student in the class. Since this syllabus must include the instructor's office number and hours and e-mail address, course requirements, exams, attendance policy, class participation requirements, paper and examination dates, and how the final grade will be calculated, it is critical that the student obtain the syllabi for all courses taken and read them carefully. Students’ academic advisors can help coach students through this process, identifying the right people to speak with and helping students to identify and articulate their concerns.

   In general, it is best for the student to try to work out problems through the procedure described above, rather than have a parent intervene. If a parent feels that the student should be pursuing an issue of this nature further but is reluctant to do so or that the student is not fully able to advocate for him/herself, the parent should encourage the student to go to the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education (LC 30) and describe the problem in confidence to one of the assistant deans. Undergraduate Studies can speak directly with the faculty member or his/her department chair, without identifying the student, if presented evidence that the faculty member is doing something contrary to University regulations or to the original syllabus.

   Students who believe they are victims of discrimination, bias or harassment should contact the Office of Affirmative Action (University Hall 207).

   Parents should know that the University views its students as adults (a majority of whom are "young adults") and encourages them to address their problems in adult fashion. Often the greatest help parents can provide is to be supportive in encouraging students to stick up for themselves. However, if a parent feels the student is incapable or reluctant to do so, then the parent can contact the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education. As with other University offices and personnel, Undergraduate Studies cannot provide third parties information about the student's courses or problems without the student's consent, but can discuss the implications and suggest possible remedies in response to a situation described by the parent.

5. If a student cannot attend classes because of illness, accident or family emergency, who should be called?

   Students who cannot attend class because of illness, accident or family emergency should attempt to contact the instructor by e-mail or phone as soon as possible, indicating the length of absence and asking whether the instructor needs documentation regarding the absence. While faculty are strongly encouraged to use their best judgment when students have appropriate documentation for legitimate absences and not to rely on the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education when it is not necessary, some instructors will require a letter from that Office. In those cases, the Office of the Vice Provost should be contacted as soon as possible, and appropriate documentation should be brought or Faxed [(518) 442-4959] to that office, so that letters to professors can be sent to the student’s instructors in a timely fashion.

6. If a student decides to leave the university, what should he do?

   The student should contact the Office of Withdrawal and Readmission, which is located within the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education in LC 30. The office can be also contacted by phone [(518) 442-5821].