Accomplished developers and contractors utilize well constructed blueprints as a guide to complete their projects. In the same manner, HCC has an academic plan for students that maps out the construction of classes needed to complete their degree programs.
Around campus, students hold different opinions on the quality and accuracy of information provided by academic advisers. A first- year California native felt meeting with advisers was useless, and lacked guidance and direction. A, Gainesville, transient student had similar feelings regarding advisers.
“I was just getting back into college after a two-year hold…they were not very helpful, they didn’t give me the proper information I needed as a transient student,” said Jamerica Glover, 24, a psychology major.
On the other hand, a group of three first and second year students believed that the advisers gave timely information which assisted them tremendously.
"Mr. Bowden was cool,” said Will Hoffman, 20, a music major. “He told me what classes I needed to take and explained how to transfer into USF," he said.
According to Margaret E. Petway, assistant dean of Ybor student services, miscommunications between students and advisers is attributed to an increase in drop-adds, last minute withdrawals, and failed classes.
“Students who utilize academic plans have a low drop and withdrawal rates,” said Petway. “If followed, the process is seamless.”
Before beginning classes, students attend an orientation which covers a wide variety of topics pertaining to the college experience. During the orientation, individuals are encouraged to create an academic plan and schedule a meeting with an adviser.
Be forewarned that orientation times will vary from campus to campus and the advising schedules fill up quickly. Also, people are only human and mistakes can be made. Students would be wise to double check their information.
Serge Kahan, 30, a pharmaceutical major was told that he could take calculus without the pre-requisite trigonometry course, as he had completed pre-calculous. This information was incorrect and Kahan had to go back and take an additional class.
However, Petway maintains all the information provided on the college plan is accurate and up-to-date. Advisers consult an articulation agreement, which provides updated curriculum material and descriptions for most Florida state universities.
The 11-page document can be found on the school’s website, and works best when used in conjunction with the HCC catalog, the advising guides for selected major, and a catalog for the intended transfer school.
”Students need to be vigilant and know when registration and withdraw begins,” said Bobby Bowden, academic advisor at the Ybor campus.
Bowden further suggests that students meet with advisers before a new semester for the in-depth planning to ensure adequate attention when constructing their educational plans, and to reduce wait times during registration periods.
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