Parent/Family Resources

Understanding the roles of each participant:

Academic Advisor Role

• Monitor student progress and guide the student toward academic success
• Help the student understand his or her responsibilities toward academic success
• Act as a liaison between the institution and the student
• Act as an advocate for the student
• Refer the student to appropriate institutional resources

In many ways the academic advisor is a teacher and facilitator. Advisors foster and encourage personal and intellectual growth in students (Crookston, 1972); they do more than help students register for classes. Academic advisors are well informed about the institution's resources available to students. Academic advising is not a 'one-stop shop' but a wealth of knowledge that can help students navigate the institutional system. In short, the academic advisor assists students in the development of meaningful educational plans that are compatible with personal and/or career goals and instill a desire for lifelong learning.

Student Role

• Responsible for learning and understanding
• Monitor his or her own academic progress
• Know the degree requirements of the college and major of interest
• Communicate with the advisor regarding issues and/or concerns about academics or student life
• Attend classes
• Manage time for class preparation
• Become familiar with university resources
• Understand and adhere to university policies

Student responsibility is the key to all development and learning (Davis & Murrell, 2003). In order to have a successful and meaningful college experience, students must accept full responsibility for their personal and academic progress. Academic advisors and parents can act as role models to help students accept this responsibility.

Parent and Family Role

• Be available to support and encourage
• Maintain regular contact
• Offer advice (when appropriate)
• Encourage students to do things they can do for themselves
• Allow students to make mistakes in this safe environment

One of the most important and valuable things parents can off their college students is support and encouragement. Because students of today's millennial generation look up to their parents as mentors and role models, positive reinforcement from parents is crucial to college success. It is also important that advisors, students, and parents support each other in helping students make responsible decisions that will shape their future. Young college students are in the process of realizing their autonomy. Helping parents understand the importance of letting their children do things for themselves can help students emerge as capable adults. If parents understand the competencies and expertise of the academic advisor, they are more likely to trust the judgment and wisdom of the advisor and allow their children to experience and appreciate the new and exciting challenges college life can bring. (Source: Menezes, M. D. (2005). Advisors and parents: Together building stronger advising relationships. Retrieved from the NACADA Clearinghouse of Academic Advising Resources Website)

Undergraduate Academic Policies

The catalog contains important information about, and is the official source of, the university’s academic programs, courses, policies, and procedures. The catalog should be used as a guide in planning a course of study and in meeting requirements for graduation.

All statements in this catalog reflect policies in effect at the time of publication and are subject to change without notice or obligation. This includes statements of fees, course offerings, and program, admission, and graduation requirements applicable to both currently enrolled and new students. Generally, students are held to the requirements of the catalog year in which they began their Bellarmine degree program. Exceptions must be approved by the department chair and dean of the student's major (using the waiver and exceptions process) and documented with the Registrar's Office.

Bellarmine University students are responsible for knowing the policies and procedures of the university found in the catalog. Failure to read it does not excuse students from the requirements and provisions described herein. Therefore, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with its contents early in their collegiate careers.

Academic Majors/Programs

FERPA guarantees students the right to privacy by limiting the accessibility to the student’s academic records to third parties, including the student’s parents or guardians.

Important information advisors may share with parents include the goals developed by the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) Task Force charged with providing input to the Council for the Advancement of Standards (CAS), available through the Clearinghouse of Academic Advising Resources(2005). These goals include but are not limited to:

• Assisting students in evaluating their personal values and beliefs.
• Assisting students in considering their life goals by relating their interests, skills, abilities, and values to careers, the world of work, and the nature and purpose of higher education.
• Assisting students in developing educational goals consistent with their life goals and objectives and using these goals as a guide to decision making.
• Assisting students in developing decision-making skills.
• Providing accurate information about institutional policies, resources, and programs.

Financial Aid Department