Academic Advisement
The central function of the Office of Academic Advisement is to help students identify and achieve their academic goals. The OAA is a resource for students who need advice as they are selecting courses, choosing or changing a major, or considering and planning for graduate or law school. In collaboration with the faculty, the OAA also oversees the academic advisement program for students who have not yet declared a major. Advisors on the Undeclared Advising Team meet regularly with their advisees and get to know each individual’s particular interests and goals. In this way, undeclared advisees receive individualized advice that helps them identify the connections in the academic community that will be the most meaningful to them. Once a student has declared a major, he or she will be assigned an academic advisor within the major department. The OAA will still be available to serve declared students (e.g., workshops about applying to graduate school or law school or advice on personal statements).
Although the responsibility for fulfilling both the general academic requirements of the College and the specific requirements of departmental majors rests exclusively with each student, academic advisors can provide information regarding policies, procedures, requirements, and educational options. The OAA also offers individual appointments with Dr. Lara Birk, the Assistant Dean of Freshmen & Director of Academic Advisement.
Academic Resource Center (ARC)
The Academic Resource Center offers students assistance in developing or refining the academic skills that lead to college success. The ARC’s professional and student staff provide services such as academic counseling, group and individual learning skills assistance, writing support, and peer tutoring. The ARC also serves as a computer center with 16 PC workstations and wireless Internet connectivity for laptop computers. The ARC is equipped with large tables for individual and small group study and tutoring. The adjacent classroom is available for review sessions, workshops, seminars, individual tutoring sessions, and small group presentations. Below are services available in the ARC:
College Achievement Program (CAP) - The College Achievement Program is a non-credit, 8-week program to help first-year students develop skills and strategies essential for academic success. Based on Dave Ellis’ Becoming a Master Student, now in its 15th edition, CAP includes lessons in the following: organization and time management strategies, reading, writing, and note-taking skills, critical thinking and test preparation. The aim of this non-credit program is to assist students in making a successful transition from high school to college. The program is tailored to the first-year curriculum. Through weekly 75-minute sessions, CAP provides the opportunity for students to develop the strategies and strengthen the skills essential for college success.
The Writing Center - The goal of the Writing Center is to support students as they strive to become more effective writers. Writing assistants support students at various stages of the writing process from brainstorming to proofreading. They discuss essay topics, review drafts, and encourage students to revise their work. Writing assistants work with students to help them develop composing and revising strategies applicable to all writing assignments, focusing on the development of students’ lasting skills.
The Peer Tutor Program - The Peer Tutor Program is designed to provide all Saint Anselm College students quality academic assistance free of charge. Peer Tutors offer individual and small group tutoring in most courses. This program supplements the assistance provided by faculty members. Peer Tutors are Saint Anselm sophomores, juniors and seniors employed by the Academic Resource Center. All Peer Tutors have been recommended by faculty and have participated in ongoing staff development workshops. Currently, over 65 students tutor across the curriculum. With over 2,800 tutoring sessions held each year, the Peer Tutor Program has become a vital academic support service at Saint Anselm College.
Services for Students with Disabilities - The Director of the ARC arranges for academic accommodations for students with disabilities. Students with appropriately documented disabilities who are enrolled at Saint Anselm College may be eligible for reasonable accommodations. Academic accommodations at Saint Anselm College may include extended time for exams, a distraction reduced environment, help with note-taking, preferred seating arrangements, and the use of audio recorders in class. It is the student’s responsibility to contact and submit documentation of a disability to the Director of the ARC. Students should allow three weeks for the evaluation and decision on the documentation submitted.
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