FAQs

How do I find out who my advisor is?

First year advisors assist entering first-year students, sophomores, and transfers who have not yet been assigned an advisor within their major. Entering first-year students will meet their advisor during their Orientation session. Students can use the Find Your Advisor application to determine their advisor. Simply log in with your NetID and password. Your advisor(s) name and contact information will be displayed.

Do I have to see an advisor to register for classes?

Yes, all new entering students must see an academic advisor prior to registering for classes. All continuing first-year, sophomore, and undeclared transfer students must also see an advisor prior to registration. All students with fewer than 30 semester hours or who have not decided on their major have an advising hold until they are transitioned to their college advisor.

What does an advisor do?

Academic advisors help students select their classes each semester, stay on track with their general education requirements, and recommend courses helpful to the anticipated major. Advisors help undecided students determine a major and/or minor, given the student’s interests and aptitudes. Advisors also help students experiencing difficulties or challenges—academic or personal—connect with appropriate resources to help resolve potential obstacles to their success.

How do I contact my advisor?

Academic advisors are available by phone, e-mail, and in-person by appointment. To connect with your advisor, contact us.

When can I see my advisor?

CASA is open 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Friday, year-round, excluding University holidays. While advisors may be available on a walk-in basis, students are encouraged to contact their advisor to make an appointment.

What do I do if my advisor is not available?

When your advisor is not available and you need immediate assistance, let the CASA staff know, and we will get you the help you need.

Do I have the same advisor every year?

Entering first-year students, sophomores, and transfers who do not have a faculty advisor are assigned a first year advisor. In most cases, when you have completed most (if not all) of your general education classes and your schedule consists of classes primarily for your major, you are transitioned to an advisor in your major program.

Can I change my advisor?

Entering first-year students, sophomores, and transfers who have not yet been assigned an advisor in their major are assigned a first year advisor within CASA. This is based on the student’s last name (alphabetically) and/or by major. If you feel you need to change advisors, you are encouraged to discuss this situation with your advisor to work out an appropriate solution. Advisor assignments are made to keep each advisor’s workload balanced, and requests for changes will need to be considered in this light.

In most cases, when you have completed most (if not all) of your general education classes and your schedule consists of classes primarily for your major, you are transitioned to a faculty advisor in your major program.

Can my advisor tell my parents what courses I am taking?

In accordance with protections extended by FERPA, your advisor may be able to discuss your class schedule with your parents ONLY with your signed, written permission. You must specifically request that your advisor speak with your parent(s), and you must specify what information can be discussed, and within what timeframe. Generally, your advisor will encourage you to discuss your schedule with your parents directly. If parents call or contact the advisor independent of the student, or without a signed release on file, the parent will be encouraged to talk to the student directly and reminded of the FERPA limitations.

How do I access my DARSweb Report?

Access your DARS Report from the UIS Registration webpage. Click “Enter DARSweb for Students,” sign in, select “Submit a New Audit,” wait for the page to refresh itself, and click “Open Audit.” If the General Education Bar on the chart is not solid green, your Gen Eds are not complete.

I am coming to UIS with an Associate’s Degree. Do I need to see a first year advisor?

If you have already earned an Associate’s Degree, and/or your Gen Eds are considered complete, you will need to contact your major department to schedule an appointment with your faculty or college advisor. This advisor will guide you in completing all the required courses for your field of study. If you need assistance determining who your advisor is, please contact the Office of Advising.

How do I know what classes are required of my major?

Each academic department provides a description of requirements to complete certain majors on their websites. Additionally, Four-Year Advising Guides provide a suggested Fall and Spring schedule of classes you should take each semester to prepare for and complete your major.

I am advising a newly admitted transfer junior who still needs two general education courses. How do I find the courses for those gen ed reqs?

The courses meeting the general education requirements are listed on the General Education website by semester. Course descriptions also include a notation indicating when the course satisfies a General Education requirement. You or your student may also contact CASA for assistance.

What are ECCE courses? Does my student have to take them?

Engaged Citizenship Common Experience (ECCE) courses are university requirements. ECCE courses are interdisciplinary and designed to help students recognize the value of multiple perspectives. According to the ECCE website, “all undergraduate students are required to take a minimum of 10 hours in the Engaged Citizenship Common Experience (ECCE), a set of courses tied to UIS’ heritage, mission, vision, and values.” Learn more about ECCE requirements.

Can one course satisfy more than one requirement?

Yes, one course can satisfy more than one requirement in certain circumstances. If a course satisfies a General Education or an ECCE requirement and is also required as part of a major or minor, that course may satisfy both requirements, as long as the major/minor program allows it. One course cannot satisfy two general education requirements or two major requirements. Even when courses are evaluated to satisfy more than one requirement, all students must still complete a minimum of 120 undergraduate credit hours in order to graduate.

One of my advisees is struggling with a course. What can I do to help?

There are several resources available to help students be successful in their coursework. As the advisor, you are in a position to help the student identify which resources are the most appropriate for the situation. Explore with the student the specific nature of the problem and what efforts have been attempted to address the problem. If it is an academic/classroom problem, encourage the student to address the issue with the instructor. If assistance from the instructor is not readily available or has not helped resolved the problem, help the student identify other academic personnel with the expertise the may help the student. Be careful to also assess for obstacles to performance such as possible learning disabilities, underdeveloped academic skills, time management, study skills, and personal distresses, and refer the student to other campus resources such as The Learning Hub, the Office of Disability Services, the Career Development Center, and the Counseling Center.

What is the Prairie Flag System? When should I use it?

The Prairie Flag System is an intervention plan within Advise U designed to identify students experiencing academic difficulties or other hindrances to academic success, and connect them with resources to help overcome these challenges. Through this system, faculty and other academic personnel refer the student to their advisor, who, with the student, explores the nature of the problem, and strategizes interventions to help the student achieve satisfactory academic performance. Ideally, an instructor will refer a student to their advisor as early as possible in the semester so that appropriate interventions can be implemented. When students are referred through the Prairie Flag System, they are expected to meet with their advisor and follow through with the intervention plan. Referring instructors are contacted again shortly after mid-semester for a follow up report on the student’s progress. Students referred to their advisor who receive academic advising from the major program will also be referred to the faculty advisor for assistance.

What does an advisor do?

Academic advisors help students select their classes each semester. Advisors help students stay on track with their general education and university requirements and recommend courses helpful to the anticipated major. Advisors help undecided students determine a major and/or a minor, given the student’s interests and aptitudes. Advisors also help students experiencing difficulties or challenges—academic or personal—connect with appropriate resources to help resolve potential obstacles to their success.

How will I know what classes my son or daughter is taking?

You can learn about your student’s class schedule by talking with your student. Advisors and other university personnel are not allowed to disclose information contained in student records to anyone without specific written and signed permission from the student. This privacy protection is governed by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974.

How does my child find out who his or her advisor is?

Advisors are assigned by the student’s last name or by major. Entering first-year students will meet their advisor during their Orientation session and continue working with that advisor until they transition to an advisor in their major program. Students can use the Find Your Advisor application to determine their advisor. Simply log in with your NetID and password. Your advisor(s) name and contact information will be displayed.