UC Davis offers many different types of academic advising to help you get the most from your education. College advisers can assist you in meeting degree requirements and taking maximum advantage of the resources available in the university. A conference at least once a quarter is especially desirable for students during their first year and for seniors during the final quarters preceding graduation.
Quick scroll to College of Engineering, College of Letters and Science, Division of Biological Sciences, Other advising services, Academic help, Resolving academic problems
The Dean's Office provides you with
Associate Dean of Undergraduate Academic Programs
Annie King, Associate Dean
228 Mrak Hall
916-752-0108
The College has an associate dean of undergraduate academic programs and advising staff who welcome the opportunity to become acquainted and to talk informally with individual students. They can also help you with academic problems if you are placed on probation or subject to dismissal.
Advising Center. Coordination of the College's Advising Center and the Summer Advising Program is available in the College's Academic Advising Center, 228 Mrak Hall.
Primarily, the Academic Advising Center advises students in the Exploratory Program. Advising for Individual Majors, as well as for other College majors and programs, is also available at the center.
Faculty Advisers/Staff Advisers. You will be assigned a faculty adviser to help you plan a program that corresponds to your individual educational interests. The Master Advisers coordinate advising within a major. Staff advisers located in the department can advise you on courses, specific requirements of majors and career opportunities. You are strongly urged to consult with your faculty adviser or staff adviser each quarter before selecting your courses.
As educational objectives evolve, you may, in consultation with the Master Adviser for your major, choose a new faculty adviser whose area of expertise corresponds more directly to your specific objectives.
Exploratory Program (non-degree program)
College Academic Advising Center
228 Mrak Hall, 916-752-0610
Are you unsure what major you really want to pursue? If so, you may want to register in the Exploratory Program. With the assistance of the college's Academic Advising Center and the major advisers, you will be able to explore specialization options, develop your decision-making abilities and ultimately select the major best suited to your needs. A major must be declared before you complete 120 units (see Declaration of Major). For registration purposes, indicate "Exploratory" on your admissions materials.
Undergraduate Office Advisers (1050 Engineering II). By contacting the Undergraduate Office, you may obtain information and assistance on academic, career and personal matters, either through direct assistance from one of the staff advisers or through referral to other offices on campus. The Undergraduate Office handles student petitions, transfer evaluation, articulation and degree certifications.
Faculty Advisers. You will be assigned a faculty adviser your first term on campus by your departmental office. Students in engineering usually retain the same faculty adviser throughout the undergraduate program, but you may choose a new adviser whenever you wish. It is necessary only to keep your departmental office informed of your adviser selection.
The College is implementing a mandatory advising system through RSVP, the phone-in registration system. You will be required to meet with your adviser (faculty or staff) once a year, during a specific quarter, which will be determined by the number of units you have completed. When you telephone to register for classes that will meet during your advising quarter, you will be told that there is an advising hold on your registration. You will be permitted to enroll in classes for and during your advising quarter. If you meet with your adviser during your advising quarter, there will be no difficulties with subsequent registration. If, however, you fail to meet with your adviser during your assigned advising quarter, you will be dropped from all your classes in the following quarter. Therefore, you have approximately four months to clear an advising hold. For further information on mandatory advising, call the Advising Office at 752-0557.
Departmental Staff Advisers. Faculty advising is supplemented by a system of staff advising especially designed for students in that department. Consult your departmental office for more information.
Peer Advisers. A well-developed peer advising system complements faculty and staff advising. Student advisers are available at Bainer Hall, Engineering II, and at other locations described in the Other Academic Advising section of this chapter.
The associate dean and staff in the Undergraduate Education and Advising Office can assist you with a wide variety of issues relating to your academic goals and experiences. You can consult the Advising Office on matters such as program planning, selection of a major, exceptions to regulations and academic enrichment opportunities. The office also provides a number of additional services:
Faculty Advisers. New students are assigned to a faculty adviser prior to their first term of enrollment. If you indicated an interest in a particular program on your application, your adviser will be a faculty member associated with that major. If you change your major, you will be reassigned.
New students are encouraged to see their faculty adviser at least once every quarter during their first year on campus to discuss their educational goals, course program and progress.
Continuing students who have completed three quarters in residence in the College should consult with an adviser at certain important checkpoint stages in their academic careers (below). They are urged, however, to maintain regular contact with an adviser in their major to avoid program errors that may delay graduation. Seniors should maintain close contact with their adviser in order to ensure that they are meeting the major requirements.
Academic Options Program. If you did not indicate an initial commitment to a particular major program on your application, you will participate in the Academic Options Program, which provides academic advising to lower division students. You will be assisted by an advising team available in the Undergraduate Education and Advising Offices located in each of the university residence hall complexes. Students living off campus are asked to contact the Letters and Science Undergraduate Education and Advising Office early in the quarter to receive their adviser assignments.
Advising Checkpoints. You should consult with your faculty adviser at two, possibly three, critical stages in your academic career:
If you have not met with your faculty adviser before these established checkpoints, a hold may be placed on your registration materials as a reminder.
Peer Advisers. Student-to-student advising is an important part of the university advising services. The College of Letters and Science dean's office peer advisers are available during regular office hours in 200 Social Sciences and Humanities Building and on a weekly basis in the campus residence halls to talk with students about their academic concerns.
The associate dean and staff in the Division of Biological Sciences Office can assist you with complete academic advising services for the Biological Sciences major and with general advising information about other divisional majors. In addition, the office can help you with a variety of issues including PELP, withdrawal, change of major and some financial aid forms.
This office is also responsible for the academic progress of all students majoring in the division. If you have any problems (personal, medical, financial) that are affecting your academic performance, or if you are on academic probation, make an appointment to see one of the advisers in the division office.
Students entering or intending to declare sectional majors in biochemistry, evolution and ecology, genetics, microbiology, physiology or plant biology should contact the specific section office for academic advising services. Students selecting the biological sciences major should contact the Division of Biological Sciences Office for academic advising services.
Academic Peer Advising (APA) places peer advisers in over 45 departments to help students find the answers to their questions about major requirements, courses and university regulations. The academic peer adviser complements faculty advising by providing a student perspective on the department. The Academic Peer Advising staff is trained to provide information and assistance concerning graduate schools, career opportunities and college requirements. For more information contact the main APA office in 111 South Hall, 916-752-3000.
The First Resort is a place to go if you are feeling bogged down by university red tape, registration procedures, course selection, choosing a major or other general advising questions. The student advisers here can either answer your questions or put you in contact with others who can. The staff can give you advice and assistance from the point of view of someone who has "been there." The First Resort maintains a referral service, a listing of courses of 1 to 3 units and other valuable resources. Pre-graduate school information is available, and graduate school bulletins and other supplemental materials on hand are useful in selecting a graduate program. If you have a problem, remember--start with The First Resort, open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. throughout the academic year. (First floor lobby, South Hall; 916-752-2807 or 916-752-3323.)
The Orientation and Summer Advising Office coordinates the Summer Advising and Registration Program, fall quarter Orientation activities and many other student assistance and orientation programs for new students. The staff will introduce you to the campus environment, procedures and opportunities, and offers programs relevant to students' changing needs. Your contribution to orientation programs, through ideas and assistance, is always welcome. The coordinator's office is located in 111 South Hall, 916-752-3000.
The Pre-Graduate School Information and Referral Service is a program available through Advising Services to assist students interested in M.A., M.B.A., Ph.D. or teaching credential programs. Specific services include help in locating graduate school programs in specific fields, completing application forms and statements of purpose, and planning financial options. This unit also coordinates the Undergraduate Research Conference, an annual event open to all undergraduate UC Davis researchers. Advisers are available through the main Advising Services office, 111 South Hall, 916-752-3000.
The Pre-Law Advising Office is where students interested in the legal profession can come for information. The staff can advise you about admission requirements and program planning. The office maintains a reference library of law school bulletins, legal assistant information, admission test materials and general career information. Students can get more information on preparation for law school and a legal career through the many seminars and workshops held each year. You may contact one of the pre-law advisers in 111 South Hall, 916-752-3000.
The Health Sciences Advising Office, 111 South Hall (916-752-2672), will be an important place for you if you are preparing for a profession in the health sciences. The professional staff and student advisers can provide information on requirements, application procedures, professional school curricula and related options. The office maintains an extensive library of school catalogs, statistics and books and journals related to health education.
Information:
228 North Hall
916-752-3472
The Educational Opportunity Program/Student Affirmative Action Information Office serves EOP/SAA students by assisting them with their academic, social and personal adjustments to the university environment; coordinates EOP/SAA new student orientation programs; and serves as liaison to staff, faculty and administrators. The office's multicultural peer staff is particularly sensitive to differing social, cultural and ethnic concerns. In addition, those students interested in pursuing the helping professions can receive training and experience through the Peer Adviser Counselor training program.
EOP/SAA Information Office services are also accessible at various outreach locations throughout the campus, such as the Colleges of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Letters and Science and Engineering; Learning Skills Center; The House; and all ethnic studies departments. All students are invited to telephone or stop by the EOP/SAA Information Office on the second floor of North Hall or any one of the outreach locations to find out more about the peer counseling services.
Information:
Third Floor Voorhies Hall
916-752-2013
At the Learning Skills Center you can receive assistance in a wide variety of areas, including:
The center also provides individual tutoring sessions for students on academic probation or subject to dismissal. Group and drop-in tutoring are available to all students.
Learning specialists can assist you individually, or you may participate in workshops covering specific areas of study. The Learning Laboratory has self-help tapes and films that enable you to work at your own pace. The LSC library contains a variety of programmed instructional materials, reference books, preparation materials for the GRE, MCAT and LSAT exams, and a file of course examinations given in past quarters. Most materials may be checked out.
The Learning Skills Center is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Come in and ask about our services, which are free to all UC Davis students.
Information:
Learning Skills Center
Third Floor Voorhies Hall
916-752-2013
EOP/SAA tutoring is a free service for EOP and affirmative action students. If you are having difficulty with your coursework, the Learning Skills Center offers tutoring in most course areas. Tutoring is provided in groups and on a drop-in basis. For students in academic difficulty, pre-arranged one-to-one tutoring is also available. Although primary emphasis is on the assignments in your classes, tutorial services may also be used to improve study habits and learning skills. The tutoring program is staffed by students carefully selected for both their knowledge of course content and their sensitivity to the needs of students being tutored.
Information:
Learning Skills Center
Third Floor Voorhies Hall
916-752-2013
New EOP/SAA students (freshmen) admitted by special action are expected to participate in the Special Transitional Enrichment Program (STEP). Selected regularly admitted EOP/SAA students are encouraged to do so. The program begins in summer and continues through the first academic year, providing preparatory coursework and developing academic skills. It helps students adjust academically and socially to the campus by strengthening their learning skills and study habits, and by providing an extensive orientation to campus life.
Information:
Student Housing
Sue Franck
916-752-1736
Learning Resource Centers are located in the Segundo, Tercero and Cuarto residence hall areas. They offer the following services to all residence hall students: PC computer terminals (IBM clones and Macintosh) and assistance, a reference library, language tapes, an exam file and a quiet place to study.
Grade Changes. If you believe you received an incorrect grade due to a clerical or procedural error, ask your instructor to file a grade change form with the Registrar's Office. If you believe you received an incorrect grade due to any type of discrimination, consult the office of Student Judicial Affairs (see below).
Other Grievances. If you need a requirement waiver or any other type of variance, contact your faculty adviser or the appropriate dean's office for information on your college's procedures. If you cannot get satisfaction through normal channels, contact the ASUCD Grievance Center or the Committee on Student-Faculty Relationships (see below).
Discrimination/Harassment. If you believe that you have been discriminated against or harassed, you may contact the office of Student Judicial Affairs (see below) or the ASUCD Grievance Center (see below) for information and assistance. Advice is also available from the Sexual Harassment Information Line (916-752-2255). Graduate students may contact Graduate Studies (916-752-0650) and/or the Graduate Student Association (916-752-6108). Mediation sevices are available to resolve student grievances. For information, contact Student Housing (916-752-2491).
Information:
ASUCD Academic Affairs Office
376 Memorial Union
916-752-6101
The ASUCD Grievance Center advocates students' academic concerns to the faculty and administration. Grievance counselors deal with students one-on-one, directing them to appropriate channels through which to state their grievances (i.e., student-faculty relations, sexual harassment, grade change problems, prejudicial treatment in the classroom and problems with academic procedure and policy). Students can get counseling, referrals and support to aid in the resolution of these matters.
Information:
Academic Senate Office
356 Mrak Hall
916-752-3920
If students with a grievance feel they cannot get satisfaction through normal procedures, they may contact the Committee on Student-Faculty Relationships for assistance. The committee is advisory and can make recommendations to the office having authority to resolve the problem. It may also meet informally with the students involved with the grievance.
Information:
Student Judicial Affairs
3rd Floor, North Hall
916-752-1128
Student Judicial Affairs supports the standards of the campus by responding to alleged violations of university policies or campus regulations. In addition, the office coordinates the informal resolution process and receives formal complaints for student grievances based on impermissible discrimination or harassment (sexual, racial, religious, handicap, etc.), or on violations of student rights to obtain access to or prevent disclosures from their campus records. The office also can aid in conflict resolution and provide interpretations of university policies and regulations.
We welcome your comments.
UC Davis 1996-97 Online General Catalog