2003-2004 UAF Catalog

Student Services


Student Services and Resources

Academic Advising and Assistance

Academic Advising Center

Deciding on a major, choosing electives and planning the classes you take each semester may be the most important decisions you make as a student at the university. Your advisor can help you by explaining programs and requirements, recommending courses and answering your questions. The role of your advisor is to help you choose a program to help you achieve academic and career goals.

If you are a declared major, your advisor will be a faculty member from your academic department. You should contact the department for specific assignment of a faculty advisor.

If you haven't chosen a major yet, the Fairbanks campus Academic Advising Center is available for students who need help in choosing a major, selecting classes and planning an academic schedule. It also serves as a clearinghouse for general university and degree information. The Advising Center has general advisors and faculty members from various disciplines throughout campus. You have access to all members of the advising team and department advisors. Students without a specific major will be enrolled as general studies students.

In addition to advising incoming freshmen and general studies students, Advising Center staff are available to help transfer students, non-degree students and rural students. The Advising Center assists students with non-traditional credit options, interdisciplinary undergraduate degrees and the bachelor of technology degree program. The Advising Center can also provide information on pre-professional programs.

Students who haven't decided on a major or who are considering changing or reconfirming their major can seek assistance in the Advising Center. In addition to discussing options with an advisor, materials and software are available to provide feedback on information submitted regarding interests, abilities and aptitudes. The DISCOVER program (a fully integrated career guidance software program), Strong Interest Inventory ($10 fee provides computerized interpretation and printout) and several websites are provided for all students.

The Advising Center, in cooperation with other departments, sponsors a variety of workshops on topics ranging from study skills to deciding a major as well as a wide variety of special topics. The Advising Center is located in room 506 of the Gruening Building, (907) 474-6396 or 1-888-823-8780. Advisors can also be reached via e-mail at fyadvis@uaf.edu.

Developmental Education

UAF's developmental education program and services address academic preparedness, assessment and placement, barriers to learning, and development of general and discipline specific learning strategies for all students.

The goals of developmental education are to: preserve and make possible educational opportunity for each postsecondary student; develop in each student the skills and attitudes to attain academic, career, and life goals; ensure proper placement by assessing each student's level of preparedness for college coursework; maintain academic standards by enabling students to succeed in mainstream college courses; enhance the retention of students; and promote the continued development and application of cognitive and affective learning theory.

Developmental education courses are designed to prepare students for admission to university academic and vocational/technical programs, help students who are having trouble with courses or want to improve their efficiency, and help students who want to improve their skills but are not necessarily enrolled in a program.

The need for developmental education services is determined by high school transcripts, test scores, other achievement data, and discussion with counselors and advisors. Students may also elect developmental education courses based on personal assessment. There are three types of developmental education courses: communication skills, math skills, and information acquisition skills. Course descriptions for developmental education are listed in Developmental Studies, English, and Mathematics.

Downtown Center

Advising and support are available at the UAF Downtown Center for students in A.A. and A.A.S. degree and certificate programs.

Student Assistance provides services that contribute to a successful learning experience and transition to a career. Services are available by appointment and on a walk-in basis. For more information contact Student Assistance, UAF Tanana Valley Campus, 510 2nd Avenue, Fairbanks, Alaska 99701, telephone (907) 474-1151, or online www.tvc.uaf.edu/stuassist.html.

Academic Advising

Student Assistance at the UAF Downtown Center provides academic advising with a focus on A.A. and A.A.S. degree and certificate programs. Services include pre-admission advising, academic assessment and placement advising, financial aid information and application, choosing a major, and course selection. On-going academic advising, degree planning and course selection as well as personal crisis intervention and referral are available. Support for students on academic probation is available through the Academic Intervention Program. Student Assistance recognizes the unique concerns of adult and returning students.

Academic Support

Student Assistance provides academic support at the Downtown Center through developmental coursework, workshops, classroom presentations, and one-on-one advising to conquer academic hurdles. A study group clearing house, tutoring referral, learning labs, and a computer lab are also available. Academic and personal counseling, crisis intervention and resource referrals are available when these issues intrude on academic success.

Career Advising

Student Assistance provides personalized career advice based on your personal goals and job market information. Career search, interest assessment, and job market information are available online and through regularly updated computer programs and publications. Counselors provide support in learning job acquisition skills (resume writing, interviewing, web search). Cooperation and communication with campus Career Center, TVC workforce development programs, and program specific community advisory boards assure a broad base of support for students as they plan their move from college to career.

Learning Center

The Learning Center is the hub of TVC's Student Assistance and provides services that contribute to a successful learning experience and transition to a career. The center features a computer lab with current applications and learning programs, academic assessment and advising, learning support that includes math and writing labs, workshops and individual instruction in study skills, and a study group clearing house. Students can also access many main campus services at the Learning Center through a kiosk. The Learning Center houses the Project College and Career, academic advisors, the career counselor and developmental faculty.

International Student Advising

If you're a UAF student from another country, you may be faced with unique situations that American students don't usually encounter. You must comply with immigration regulations, adapt to a new and often strange culture, and adjust to the American higher education system. The international student advisor serves as a liaison between you and the U.S. Immigration Service, authorizes documents for student visas, helps you adjust to the U.S., Alaska and UAF, and provides counseling for personal and academic problems. For more information telephone (907) 474-7677 or (907) 474-5327.

Rural Student Services

Rural Student Services (RSS) is an integral part of UAF Advising Services. RSS provides vital links among the Fairbanks campus, rural communities and other UAF campuses. RSS also provides an atmosphere which allows students to comfortably exercise their cultural traditions on campus. UAF students use RSS as a forum for their concerns, a base for various student organizations and a gathering place for Native feasts offered in cooperation with the Alaska Native Studies Elder-in-Residence program.

Students may choose an RSS advisor who will provide comprehensive academic advising and referrals to various academic support services on the UAF campus in Fairbanks. RSS advisors can assist you by explaining academic requirements, recommending courses, exploring degree and career options, informing you of university resources and answering your questions. Other services include assistance with arrangements to attend the university, personal counseling and student advocacy.

For more information contact Rural Student Services, Brooks Building 1st floor, telephone (907) 474-7871 or 1-888-478-1452, e-mail fyrss@uaf.edu or visit online at www.uaf.edu/ruralss/.

Student Support Services

Student Support Services (SSS) is an academic support program with the goal of assisting eligible students to graduate from college. Services provided include individual and small group tutoring, study skills workshops, and general advising and support. Eligible students are those with financial need, those whose parents did not graduate from college and students with disabilities. Students must also be enrolled at UAF with the intention of obtaining a degree. The SSS program at UAF is funded by a TRIO grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

For more information contact the SSS program located in the Gruening Building room 508, telephone (907) 474-6844, e-mail sssp@uaf.edu or online at www.uaf.edu/sssp/.

Tutoring Services

Accounting Lab

The Accounting Lab provides tutoring services to students enrolled in accounting courses. The Accounting Lab is located in the Bunnell Building room 255I. The lab is staffed by accounting graduate students and outstanding undergraduate students. Lab hours are assigned (but flexible) Monday through Friday. For more information, contact the accounting and information systems department, (907) 474-1945.

ASUAF Tutoring

The Associated Students of the University of Alaska Fairbanks (ASUAF) provides tutorial services for individual courses whenever possible. The service is coordinated by ASUAF staff and tutoring is provided by students. Please contact ASUAF (the student government) for more information, (907) 474-7355.

Learning Labs

Student Assistance and Developmental Studies provide learning labs at the UAF Downtown Center and in the Gruening Building. Labs provide tutoring and small group instruction for students taking developmental or vocational math and writing courses. Tutoring in vocational courses is available as demand warrants. Learning labs supplement and support student learning as well as improve and expand students' learning skills in math and writing. For information contact the Learning Center, telephone (907) 474-1151.

Learning Resource Center

LRC is located at the UAF Downtown Center, with outreach tutoring and labs for developmental students on the main campus. LRC staff help students improve and expand skills needed to be successful in university classes. Individualized instruction and tutoring in mathematics, writing, reading, grammar, spelling and study skills are provided.

LRC staff help students identify problem areas in courses and assist in developing personal study plans/skills. Students may work with course materials or LRC resources. A variety of learning options are available, including tutoring, lab courses, workshops, independent and small group study and computer-assisted learning programs. Students may use the audiovisual aids, typewriters, computers, quiet study carrels and other resource materials. For more information, call the Learning Resource Center at (907) 474-7400.

Math Laboratory

This lab provides flexible-hour assistance to students enrolled in mathematics and statistics courses. The lab is coordinated by faculty and services are provided by students. For more information contact the math department, (907) 474-7332.

Writing Center

The Writing Center is staffed by English graduate teaching assistants and outstanding undergraduate students. Open Sunday through Friday, the center is available to all enrolled students. The staff will review student writing projects at any stage of the writing process: planning, drafting and revising. Tutors are available to help you improve your grammar and usage. For information contact the Writing Center, (907) 474-5314.