Student Advising and Mentoring Center Handles Rush of Students Looking for Answers

By Twila Lindblade/Staff Writer
The Huntsville Item

Hundreds of students have flocked to the Sam Houston State University Student Advising and Mentoring (SAM) Center this summer to gain assistance from advisers. As students look forward to gaining a degree from the university, they often need guidance in determining which courses are necessary to graduate.

The SAM Center, which opened in September, offers a central location for students to gain advice and register for classes. On Monday, more than 85 students used the center's advisers to determine which courses were needed to enroll in second summer session courses, which begin today.  (Today@Sam update: Between July 1 and July 18, approximately 650 students were advised.)

The center's advisers, which include 15 faculty advisers and three full-time advisors, have been busy since the beginning of the year, said Bill Fleming, executive director. Jan. 1 through June 15, the SAM Center advised 1,200 new or transfer students. Jan. 1 through May 31, the center assisted 3,879 SHSU existing students.

The center will be increasingly busy in August because of a new policy instituted last fall, Fleming said.

"Any student put on academic probation has to be re-advised," he said. "It's to encourage students to repeat courses to boost their GPA (grade point average)."

The SAM Center has advised many students who participated in freshman and transfer orientation seminars as well. The center has been a helpful way to guide new students, said Mary Ellen Sims, assistant dean of student life.

"They are doing a great service and the advisers are easy to work with," she said. "They have worked hard for what we have needed."

Enrolling the new students for classes has been a joint effort. Orientation officials gain assistance from the registrar's office, computer services and the SAM Center.

Before the SAM Center opened, students were advised from professors within the individual departments and often times at the end of each semester. Although some departments continue to operate the same, the SAM Center caters to most students campus wide. A central location and allowing students to seek assistance throughout the semester is beneficial, Fleming said.

"Students can make appointments or walk in," he said.

SAM Center advisers review students' transcripts, degree plans and other information related to their graduation status. Advisers complete a student adviser main file, which is kept until a student graduates.

"We can look at their advisement history and see who advised them, what classes they advised them to take and the date they were advised," he said. "It's intrusive and helps them stay on he right track."

Students also receive copies of their degree plans and a list of which courses they are advised to take.

Advisers can also assist students who transfer from community colleges or other universities. A transfer equivalency guide allows advisers to see if the courses are comparable to one another.

The SAM Center, which was originally located in the Newton Gresham Library, is now located in room 210 of Academic Building 4. The first year has been successful, Fleming said.

"It has been a testing year and there have been a lot of unknowns," Fleming said. "But, the advisers work together so well."

Jerry Bruce, an advisor and psychology professor, agreed.

"Since it's new, you expect a lot of rough edges, but we've had few," he said. "Dr. Fleming has done a great job organizing the center."

- END -

SHSU Media Contact: Julia May
July 21, 2003
Please send comments, corrections, news tips to Today@Sam.edu