Division of Student Affairs

Academic Advising

IH 133

Phone: 541-962-3378

E-mail: advising@eou.edu
/advising/

Eastern Oregon University recognizes academic advising to be a critical component of the educational experience of its undergraduate students. Students work individually in a collaborative spirit with academic advisors in order to define and implement sound educational plans that are consistent with their personal values, goals and career plans. While academic advising occurs most visibly in these individual relationships, a broad network (on-campus and statewide) of professionals, faculty, and staff exists in support of EOU's overall advising mission. Academic advising is essential in guiding student inquiry through EOU's high-quality liberal arts and professional programs, leading to responsible and reflective action in a diverse and interconnected world.

 

Advising at EOU

•       Every EOU student is assigned an academic adviser by the Academic and Career Advising Office upon admission to EOU.

•       On-campus students are assigned an academic adviser based on major program interest. Students exploring majors are assigned to an exploratory adviser.

•       Advising is a hybrid model, occurring in the colleges and through the Academic and Career Advising Office.

•       Students have access to an Advising Coordinator in their college for additional assistance.

•       Advising is mandatory (for each term’s registration) for all freshmen, for all new students, and for students experiencing academic difficulty.

•       If you change majors, you may need to change advisers – ask your adviser or your Advising Coordinator and they will assist you with the change. You may also contact the Academic and Career Advising Office to request a Major and Adviser change.

•       You will meet with your adviser at least once every term, and are encouraged to see your adviser more often. Your adviser is here to help you succeed as an EOU student.

Who is your adviser?

Every new student should have been contacted by an academic adviser prior to the beginning of the first term of attendance, and your letter of admission gives you your adviser's name and contact information. However, if you do not know who your adviser is, you can find out on Webster. Log in to Webster, and you’ll find your adviser by selecting the “Student Services and Financial Aid” menu and then the “Student Information” menu. You may also see the advising website for step by step instructions, www.eou.edu/advising, click on “find your adviser.”

Adviser/Advisee Roles

Adviser Roles: Your adviser is committed to advising. Your adviser is a guide, assisting you in achieving your goals, helping with your academic planning, interpreting policies, and referring you to appropriate resources.

Advisee Roles: It is your responsibility as an advisee to make an appointment to see your adviser and to come to advising appointments prepared. Bring a list of questions and come with a tentative course plan, with reasons for taking each course (for example, a course required for your major, a course that meets a General Education requirement, a course you are taking to explore majors, a course you are taking for elective credit, just because you are interested in the subject or it sounds fun).

If you are experiencing difficulty in your classes or with any other issue, be sure to let your adviser know. Keep in close contact with your adviser and your professors.

Declaring Majors/Minors

Once you know what major (and/or minor) you wish to pursue, please let the Advising Office or your Advising Coordinator know – we’ll update your records and match you with the best possible adviser for you. If you need to change majors or minors, that is easy, too – just let us know!

Registering for the next term

During week 7 of each term, it will be time to register for the next term. You will want to be sure to see your academic adviser in advance of registration dates so that you can make your course plans for the next term. Registration dates are available on the academic calendar in this planner.

Advising website: www.eou.edu/advising

See this website for lots of helpful information, including “find your adviser” instructions, check sheets for all majors and minors offered at EOU, sample 4-year plans for most majors, information on Gen Ed requirements, important dates and links to resources. You may also wish to review the “Advising Tutorial” on the website, which is a PowerPoint including a great deal of useful information about advising, institutional requirements, add/drop deadlines, and more! You will find this under the “advising info” tab on the advising homepage.

Course levels and what they mean

•       Lower Division: 100-200 level, Freshman/Sophomore level

•       Upper Division: 300-400 level, Junior/Senior level

•       Most 200 level courses are fine for freshmen to take, check pre-requisites and check with your adviser.

•       Below 100: Developmental (available for Math only) – these courses do not count toward the 180 total credits required for graduation but do count for financial aid, athletic eligibility, and full-time status.

Stay on Course

To graduate in 4 years with 180 credits, you should average 15 credits per term. Of course, if you change majors, it may take longer! 12 credits is full-time status.

Caution: Dropping Classes

Dropping classes may affect your financial aid, athletic eligibility, international student status, and housing eligibility. Always check with financial aid before dropping and discuss implications with your adviser.

Math requirement

All EOU students must complete the institutional math requirement, which varies by major (see your academic catalog, the check sheet for your major at www.eou.edu/advising, and/or check with your adviser). Students must begin math at the level they place into, based on the Accuplacer placement exam.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our office, between 8am-5pm Pacific time, for further assistance.