Advising Services is responsible for coordinating the advising of all Undeclared students at the College. Undeclared students are assigned an academic advisor who will assist students in exploring various academic majors and selecting appropriate Core Curriculum and elective classes. Students will usually declare a major by the beginning of their junior year. Advisors of Undeclared majors can help students clarify their personal and educational goals and evaluate the progress toward those goals.

Academic Advising: Student Role and Responsibility

Students and academic advisors have important responsibilities in the advising process. Advisors are responsible to the students they advise, for involving others (when appropriate) in the advising process and to upholding the specific policies, procedures, and values of MCLA.

The advising system works best when students recognize and uphold their responsibilities. You can do this by:

• learning the name and location of your advisor and contacting him/her with any questions you have
• talking with your advisor about your goals, interests, and other academic matters
• learning the requirements of the core curriculum, major and/or minor programs, along with graduation requirements
• accessing your MCLA email account and "Student Tools" for important advising information
• consulting with your advisor before making schedule or class changes
• knowing the dates of the course add/drop and withdrawal periods
• consulting your advisor immediately if you begin having any academic difficulties
• attending class regularly and completing assignments on time
• responding to letters, emails and/or phone calls from your professors, advisor, and other offices on campus (Advising Services, Registrar, Bursar, etc.)
• making an early appointment with your advisor during registration periods
• talking with your professor and your advisor immediately if you're having a hard time in a class
• accepting responsibility for knowing the academic requirements and for making your own decisions regarding your academic career

In understanding our roles and responsibilities, academic advisors work to strengthen the importance, dignity, potential, and unique nature of each student within the academic setting of MCLA. Advisors encourage, respect, and assist students in establishing their goals and objectives.