Letter To Honors Advisors
Honors Advisement: Suggestions and Guidelines
Dear Faculty:
According to our records, you advise one or more of our Honors
students. Their folders should be marked indicating that they are
in the Honors Program. Also, inside each folder there should be an
Honors Advisement Checklist to help you track your advisee's
progress in the program.
Because you get to see our students regularly at advising periods,
the Honors Program counts on your advocacy and support in
encouraging Honors students to complete the program. We consider
you an important liaison between the students and the program, one
who can answer their questions, supervise their progress, and
negotiate their Honors schedule with the coursework in their major.
In order to facilitate Honors advisement, here are some suggestions
and guidelines.
- Schedule advisement meeting prior to the student's assigned
registration time. Ideally, the actual process of registration
should be the last part of advisement. Meeting with your advisee
ahead of time may allow a less rushed conversation regarding your
advisee's educational goals, interests, short- and long-term
plans.
- Approach advisement holistically. Honors students tend to view
their coursework and other academic and extra-curricular
involvement as parts of an integrated whole. Please take the time
to get to know their needs and expectations.
- Schedule your student's Honors class as early as possible when
planning his/her schedule. When signing up for an Honors course
occurs like an afterthought during advisement, the student can get
the impression that the Honors Program is unimportant.
- As much as possible, plan a diverse and substantial schedule.
In order to stay in the program, Honors students have to complete
32 credit hours by the end of their freshman year, and 64 credits
by the end of their sophomore year. This makes it necessary that
they take around 16 credits per semester. On the average, Honors
students take 18 credit hours per semester. A number of our Honors
students feel under-challenged, and some may consider leaving
Butler on this account. Planning a solid and engaging schedule may
make the difference between keeping and losing a student.
- Try to register your student for an Honors course in each of
the first four semesters. Although the student is not required to
take an Honors course every semester and may find it necessary to
take a break from the program for a semester, please remember that
the program becomes more difficult to complete if participation is
irregular.
- During each advisement meeting, devote time to discuss your
student's progress in the Honors Program and to answer questions,
if any. Students trust their faculty advisors. With your positive
attitude and encouragement, your advisees are likely to remain
committed to the program.
- Have your Honors Program information in hand, but don't
hesitate to call Judi Morrel (x9723) or Lisa Markus
(x9302). We will be on campus throughout the early registration
days, and will gladly answer any questions you may have. Other
sources for Honors Program information are the Advisor Handbook,
the Butler Bulletin, and the Honors website.
We know that you are first a departmental advisor and primarily
concerned that your advisees complete their major successfully.
Just a few minutes of your advisement time, however, can make a big
difference for the Honors Program and your Honors advisees. Please
stay in touch and, again, thank you for your participation.