SUNY Cortland views academic advisement as serving the educational needs and ambitions of the SUNY Cortland student. Its purpose is to assist students to develop meaningful educational plans that are compatible with their life goals. In this spirit the advisement process also helps the student to satisfy immediate, short-term needs for selecting courses, scheduling and registration. Students come to Cortland with differing academic experiences, varying needs and diverse backgrounds. Advisement plays a crucial role in helping students move toward becoming "independent learners living enriched lives," which is one of the major goals of the College's mission. Students and advisors have important responsibilities in this process. Students must seek guidance, be knowledgeable about their programs and assume responsibility for degree completion. Advisors must provide sufficient time for advisement, have a comprehensive understanding of the student's course of study and College policies, and be ready to guide the development of students academically and as related to potential careers.
