Waycross College

The Minority Advising Program was established in 1983 to enhance the academic welfare of minority students in the University System of Georgia. Its goals include the promotion of academic success, development of human potential, and retention of minority students. To assure the implementation and maintenance of effective Minority Advising Programs at all USG institutions, the Board of Regents Office of the Chancellor has established the following guidelines:

1. Each institution within the University System of Georgia will establish and maintain a Minority Advising Program. The Minority Advising Program will supplement, not replace, regular academic advising activities.
2. The Minority Advising Program will address students' academic and non-academic needs, addressing cognitive and non-cognitive dimensions of intellectual, personal, and social self-actualization.
3. Each Minority Advising Program will be structured to provide (directly or on a referral basis) the following services:
(a) a careful follow-up of dropouts;

(b) special individualized counseling for academically at-risk students and students placed on academic probation;

(c) assistance to students in choosing a program of study and in the selection of an academic major;

(d) help in considering the long-term implications of pursuing various courses of study, and careful consideration of career opportunities presented by various academic programs;

(e) peer counseling to address a full spectrum of personal, social, and academic needs;

(f) access to appropriate and effective tutoring;

(g) help in identifying financial aid sources and review of procedures for obtaining financial aid;

(h) access to, and facilitation of, career counseling;

(i) reinforcement of the regular advisement system;

(j) access to study skill activities;

(k) articulation with high schools to help prepare minority students for college;

(l) provision of culturally appropriate programming and a forum to bring effective role models in contact with minority students to discuss their educational and other experiences; and

(m) periodic meetings with department chairs, academic officers, and the president to maximize the interrelationship of the Minority Advising Program with other aspects of the institution.

4. Each Minority Advising Program should establish advising units, coordinated by faculty members with special training in the advisement of minority students.
5. The program should emphasize service to freshman and sophomore students, but be open to any other minority student seeking its services.
6. With the approval of the Chancellor, institutions may modify the structure and functions of the Minority Advising Program to render it more responsive to minority needs at that particular institution (e.g., size and nature of institution, demographic profile, unique problems, etc.) Institutions seeking program modifications should submit a detailed request, specifying the unusual circumstances and the modifications sought.
7. The Minority Advising Program will be coordinated either through the Office of Academic Affairs or the Office of Student Affairs. In either case there must be formal provision for close co-ordination with the other office in the governance of the Minority Advising Program.
8. The President is responsible for the operation and the success of the program and will provide institutional commitment and support to assure its success.
9. The President shall appoint a Minority Advising Program Coordinator, who shall oversee the program.
10. The financial support of the Minority Advising Program is primarily the responsibility of the institution. Each institution will establish a separate budget for its Minority Advising Program and financially support its activities. Special funds allocated by the Central Office to support Minority Advising Programs are intended only to supplement the operating budget provided by the institution.
11. Each institution president will submit an annual report to the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. The annual report should indicate the program's goals and the activities sponsored in support of those goals. It should analyze the impact and effectiveness of program related activities, and should include a projected budget for the following year, with updated goals and objectives for the program.
12. Representatives of the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs will periodically visit each campus to evaluate the Minority Advising Program and provide consultation.
13. An annual system-wide conference will be held for the purpose of staff development, improvement of strategies for making the program more successful, and general information sharing. The Planning Committee for the annual conference will consist of representatives from each institution type.

 

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Last modified on July 23, 2003