Academic Regulations and Procedures

Role of the Academic Advisor

UMass Dartmouth’s faculty take their obligation to advise students seriously. Students consult their advisors for assistance in:

• forming their academic goals and career objectives;
• establishing an overall plan for their program of study;
• understanding and meeting degree requirements, requirements in the specific academic program or major, distribution requirements and college requirements, and general education requirements;
• understanding academic regulations and procedures;
• monitoring their progress toward completion of their degree;
• identifying campus services appropriate to their needs;
• planning for any special programs like an experiential learning experience or study abroad; and
• responding to academic difficulties.

Students must see their advisor before they register each semester. In this contact, the advisor should review the student’s academic progress, review the student’s career plans, and assist the student in selecting the next semester’s courses. The advisor must sign to approve the student’s course selections before the student registers; in many cases, the advisor can register the student directly from his or her office. Students may see their advisor at other times. The advisor can call a conference with the student at any time, with reasonable notice. The first stop for students who receive notice of academic warning or probation should be the office of their advisor.

Statement of Final Responsibility

Although faculty advisors and many others seek to guide and assist each student, it is the student -- not the faculty advisor, departmental chairperson, or other university official who is ultimately responsible for seeing that his or her program fulfills degree requirements.

Roles of the Deans of the Five Colleges

Students may consult the office of the Dean of their College for information or inquiries about the departmental programs or academic requirements, regulations, and processes.  A role of the Dean is to approve special academic petitions and requests or to waive an academic regulation, due to hardship or special conditions.  Another role is to give assistance with any student’s concerns, or to handle complaints and special appeals.  The Dean of the School of Marine Science and Technology undertakes these roles for students in that school.

 Last Updated On: 7/3/09