Engineering News, September 19, 2005

September 19, 2005 Vol. 77, no. 4F

GOT ADVICE? Genie Foon is one of six undergraduate student advisers located in 308 McLaughlin. The advisers assist students in completing their degree requirements and know a wide variety of helpful resources on campus. (Photo Credit: Rachel Jackson)

Student Affairs keeps over 2,500 engineers moving toward graduation, one student at a time

Undergraduates: Are you familiar with 308 McLaughlin? If you can’t remember the last time you conversed with your student affairs adviser, it’s time to drop in or send an email.
“We have so many rules and regulations at the College, that it’s good to check in periodically,” says adviser Genie Foon, a 12-year veteran of student affairs. “This is the place where you can get answers or we can refer you to other resources.”

The Student Affairs Office is responsible for the academic progress of all engineering undergraduates. That means moving each class from Freshmen Orientation to Commencement in eight semesters. It seems easy enough: Just read the policies and follow them. But what if you want to double major? What if you want to take a graduate level course? What if situations in your life are affecting your academic work, and your grades are slipping? What if you’re not sure if engineering is for you?

“We have six great student affairs officers who are committed to helping students,” says Fiona Doyle, associate dean of Student Academic Affairs. “Even if a student’s issues don’t appear to be academic per se, the advisers can be an efficient one-stop because they know so many resources on campus.”

Student advisers cover the gamut. Most often, they’re reminding students of where they are in their degree requirements. They advise students on which courses to take. They clarify rules or help students seeking an exception to them. They summon those who are doing poorly to help them get them back on track, withdraw for a semester, or consider another major outside of engineering. And while they won’t be your mom, they will lend a kind ear. “I have a 22-year-old son so I can relate,” says Foon. “Every student is an individual and has his or her own story.”

The biggest pitfall for students, advisers say, is when their friends give them the wrong answer about a College rule or policy. “Then we often become the bearer of bad news because a student has failed to do something,” says Assistant Dean Robert Giomi. “Ask us questions. Don’t assume or ask your friends.”

Get in touch with your student adviser at www.coe.berkeley.edu/current_students/advising.html.

Introducing the new associate dean of Student Academic Affairs

Fiona Doyle, former MSE department chair, is now the new head of Student Academic Affairs. “I’m excited about this appointment, but there are challenges, too,” she says. “One of the goals will be to continue to make degree requirements clearer to students. We want to reduce confusion in the College Announcement so what you see is what you expect.” Doyle says she’ll also be focusing on the Common First Year curriculum, slated to go into effect next year. (Photo Credit: Peg Skorpinski)

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