Advisor On-Line Evaluation Survey

In an effort to enhance student retention, meet university expectations regarding assessment of advising, and address student concerns with faculty advising, the School of Business Administration implemented an On-Line Advisor Evaluation process in spring 2004. To minimize demands on students to complete surveys, this process is linked to our fall and spring course evaluation process. Thus, we are able to assess advising at the end of each semester. The results are anonymous and not linked with the student who answered the questions. The only information stored that is directly associated with the student is the following:

Did the student fill out an evaluation?
Did the student think they knew their advisor name? (i.e., did they choose the "Don't know my advisor…" from the advisor list?)
Did the student select the advisor of record correctly from the list of advisors?
If the answer to #3 is "No," then who did the student select from the list?

The objective of this survey is to provide constructive feedback to academic advisors and gain insight to help strengthen advising and related administrative processes and support systems in the School of Business Administration. Survey questions appear below along with “COMMENTS” that explain the process.

The following “Statement of Confidentiality” appears at the bottom of each screen:
The results of this evaluation are confidential. Personal information is collected in order to ensure that a student will fill out this evaluation only once per evaluation period (semiannual).

COMMENT: The student is asked to select the advisor's name from a dropdown list to give us a fundamental indication of the quality of the relationship between the student and the advisor. If the incorrect advisor is selected or the student does not know their advisor’s name, one of the following messages appears:

Your advisor choice didn't match the Advisor of Record on file at the Registrar's office”.

In all cases, the advisor's photo and other information appears on the screen with the following text.

Step 1. Select Your Advisor

Please choose your School of Business Administration Major/Minor Advisor from the following list. If you don't know the name of your advisor, choose "Don't Know My Advisor" from the list that appears on the screen.

Step 2. Frequency of Contact

How many times during the past academic year did you have advising-related dialogue (meetings, two-way e-mail communications, telephone conversations, etc.) with your advisor (X. XXXX)?

COMMENT: If the student selects zero (0) contacts with the advisor of record, the student will be given a questionnaire asking where the student gets advising information, if not from the advisor of record. The following message appears to make sure the student has responded correctly.

Step 3. Where You Receive Advice - Check all that apply.

From what other sources do you seek advice?

COMMENT: Data entry text box is provided here.

COMMENT: The advisor of record is pictured and named on the computer screen, and the student is asked to indicate other sources of advising. If the student reports there has been an advising contact with the advisor in the past year, the following questionnaire appears, asking the student to rate the quality of the advising experience with respect to this person and to respond to each item according to the scale provided as well as provide written comments if desired.

Step 4. Advising Survey

1. I, rather than my advisor, take initiative in seeking advice.

Examples: I don't wait until the last minute before contacting my advisor; I know when my advisor's office hours are; I attend career advising sessions

2. I prepare for our discussion before the meeting.

Examples: I know where to find my advising file; I attend the meeting with questions and or ideas/plans; If meeting is about course scheduling, I attend with a tentative schedule for my advisor and I to discuss

3. I accept responsibility for plans made in advising meetings.

Examples: I understand that there are conditions that my advisor may not be aware of (prerequisites for non-BSAD upper level classes, for example); I know that my advising file is available for me to review and that it is my responsibility to make sure that I am fulfilling requirements; I understand the curriculum and know where to go to clarify questions

4. My Advisor is available.

Examples: Has a known system for making appointments; Allots adequate time for advising meetings; Extends office hours during registration periods

5. My Advisor is responsive.

Examples: Responds to inquiries, requests for meetings in a timely fashion; Schedules meetings in a timely fashion; Keeps appointments and is on time

6. My Advisor is knowledgeable.

Examples: Knows current University and School policies & procedures; Understands required courses and elective options in my curriculum; Can suggest appropriate University resources when needed such as learning co-op, health center, etc.

7. My Advisor shows concern and respect for me as a person.

Examples: Demonstrates genuine interest in assisting me; Shares rapport with and supports me; Respects my concerns

8. My Advisor encourages beneficial discussion.

Examples: Presents options and alternatives for me to consider; Helps to elicit pros and cons of options; Helps me think through various options in moth my academic and non-academic life

9. My Advisor gives sound advice.

Examples: Helps me to make decisions consistent with my stated objectives; Offers appropriate, helpful advice re: professional and career opportunities in advisor's own field of expertise; When needed, refers me to advisors in the appropriate discipline

10. My Advisor helps me assess my progress.

Examples: Helps me assess and verify my records; Helps me understand curricular requirements; Helps me assess my progress with respect to requirements

11. Overall, I am _____________ with my advisor/advisee relationship.

Please comment on any and all aspects of your experience with your advisor:

COMMENT: Data entry text box is provided here.