Student Success (Academic) Advising and Support
Student Success Advisement
Student Success Advisors (SSAs) on campus assist students in understanding degree requirements, general university policies, and availability of resources. SSAs also support students holistically in their development as successful students and citizens. Advisors are available for each campus major as well as for Exploratory Studies students (those who have not yet declared a major). Advisor contact information and appointments are available at http://www.suu.edu/advising/advisors.html or by calling 435-586-5420.
While students are encouraged to work closely with their SSA throughout their academic career at SUU, they should, at minimum, consult with their advisor prior to registration to ensure progress toward a degree or certificate. In addition, prior to registration each semester, all students should review their degree progress via DegreeWorks.
The Student’s Role in Advisement
Southern Utah University expects students to be responsible for their own academic progress as they move through the University. To accomplish this objective, each student will:
- Assume responsibility for knowing the rules, regulations, and policies of the university and the specific requirements of the student’s degree program per the appropriate university catalog;
- Make contact with an advisor upon admission to the University, and see him/her at least once each semester;
- Visit his/her advisor immediately after being placed on academic warning or probation;
- Notify the appropriate advisor and the Registrar’s Office of any change in intended academic program;
- Accept responsibility for decisions pertaining to personal academic progress; and
- Notify the Director of Academic Advising of any problems experienced with advisement.
The Student Success Advisor’s Role in Advisement
- Provide accurate degree, major, and course information to students to assist them in the timely completion of their desired academic objectives;
- Provide support in setting goals, overcoming challenges, and accessing co- and extracurricular opportunities that support each student’s success;
- Communicate with students the requirements and preparatory work expected for specific degree programs and courses;
- Be knowledgeable about University resources and give appropriate and accurate referrals; and
- Maintain an office presence that allows for regular and timely student appointments.
The Staff & Faculty’s Role in Advisement
- Each college, school or department can formulate its own plan to support advising and the undergraduate advising needs of declared majors.
- Faculty or staff with advising assignments will communicate with students who indicate an intended major, outlining requirements and preparatory work expected for the specific degree programs.
Exploratory Studies Students
For students who have not declared a major, the Academic and Career Advising Center provides academic advising and other services to help students explore options and select a major. Students may remain in Exploratory Studies until they have earned 60 semester hours. Some academic majors require that specific courses be taken during the freshman and sophomore years. Students should, therefore, declare their intended major as early as possible to ensure timely progress toward completion.
Declaring a Program of Study
Students are encouraged to declare an intended major (as well as other academic program of study goals) as early as possible. This can be done at the time of admission to the University. Students may change their major at any time by obtaining the signature of the advisor for their new major on a Change of Major Form and returning the form to the Registrar’s Office.
Academic Support for Athletes
A professional staff member provides academic guidance to students in intercollegiate athletics in conjunction with student success advisors. This support, mandated and supported by the NCAA, is intended to ensure academic success and progress toward graduation. Advisement for athletes is an extension of the University’s approach to academic advisement for all students and is designed to assist student-athletes with the transition into college and with continued progress toward academic goals.
Academic and Career Success Advising Center
The Academic Career Advising Center, located in the Sharwan Smith Center (suite 204), offers services to help students adjust to college life, select college courses, and identify academic and career options. Student Success Advisors in the Center assist students with selecting an academic major, developing educational plans, and connecting with university resources. In addition, advisors work alongside students in setting goals and developing strategies for overcoming issues that may impact the student’s academic, personal, and career success.
Testing Center
The Testing Center is part of Student Affairs and is located on the second floor of the Electronic Learning Center. The Testing Center’s main focus is to administer on-campus quizzes, exams, mid-terms and finals for current SUU students. These exams are set-up at the request of campus professors and instructors. The Center also administers placement exams as needed for SUU students. Testing Center staff also proctor exams for a variety of Universities, Colleges and state agencies. Proctored exams are offered for SUU students as well as non-students. Additionally the Testing Center administers the ACT Assessment, SAT I & II, College-Level Exam Program (CLEP), Police Officer Selection Test (POST), Law School Admission Test (LSAT), the PRAXIS Series, Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) (subject only), Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), and other testing programs as needed. Applications, some study material, and other information for these exams are available in the Center.
Tutoring & Learning Assistance Center
The Tutoring & Learning Assistance Center, located on the second floor of the Electronic Learning Center (room 204), is designed to help students enjoy academic success while becoming independent learners. Free peer tutoring is available for math, chemistry, biology, physics, geology, foreign languages, business courses, writing, reading and study skills, and other subjects as needed. Assistance in organizing and facilitating study groups is also available. Contact the Tutoring and Learning Assistance Center for more information.
College Student Success (UNIV 1050)
The School of Integrative and Engaged Learning offers a first-year course, College Student Success (UNIV 1050 ), to support the academic endeavors of freshmen students. This elective course is designed to help increase student’s understanding of the brain and learning, to assist students in developing positive academic and planning skills, and to aid the student in transitioning to the demands and norms of higher education. This course is required for students entering SUU with an admissions index of 90 to 94.9 but is open to any student wishing to increase his/her academic skills and awareness of personal strengths and challenges during the first year of college.
Career Center
The Career Center is designed to assist students and alumni with career discovery, professional development, job search skills development, and connecting with employers. Career discovery is the process of connecting individuals to possible options of employment by helping them discover more about who they are through learning what they enjoy, understanding their strengths, and contemplating their options. Additionally, the Career Center assists with professional development (professionalism, skills enhancement, targeted extracurricular activity, and graduate school preparation) and job search skills (resume/CV writing, cover letters, and interviewing skills). The Career Center also connects students and alumni with employers through job postings, career fairs, graduate school fairs, internships, and employer visits. More information can be found online at the Career Center.
University Studies
School of Integrative and Engaged Learning
Bennion Administration Building, 312 ~ (435) 586-8784
University Studies and EDGE courses are general courses that are designed to enhance student academic success.
Course Descriptions
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