Advising Services

Welcome Students!

We are glad you are here!

• Students are assigned a College Success Advisor or Faculty Advisor based on the students’ amount of earned college credits, academic path and home campus.
• The assigned College Success Advisor or Faculty will work with the student towards a goal of success at Columbia State and timely graduation through a tailored process.
• Students will remain with the College Success Advisor until they have successfully completed their first academic year of credits or equivalent.
• The student will then transition to a Faculty Advisor in the area of their program of study.

Orientation

• Once you have completed your orientation, whether online or in person, that hold will be removed from your account.
• If you are a first-time freshman, or a transfer student with less than 24 credit hours, and have no other holds to prevent registration, you will be assigned to a College Success Advisor within 72 hours of completion. Your advisor will appear in myChargerNet (under "Student Services," click the "My Advisor" icon) and you will be able to make an individual advising appointment using the Student Success Portal (please note, appointment scheduling requires 24-hours notice). You may also email your advisor to schedule an appointment.
• If you do not see an assigned College Success Advisor after 72 hours of completion of orientation, please email ChargerCenter@ColumbiaState.edu from your Columbia State email address, and include your legal name and A#.
• If you are a transfer student with 24 or more accrued credit hours, you are not required to complete orientation, and you will be assigned to a faculty advisor in your program of study.

First-Time Advising Appointment

• Once the admissions file is complete, and orientation requirement satisfied, first-time freshmen, or transfer students with less than 24 credit hours, having no other holds to prevent registration, will be assigned to a College Success Advisor after 72 hours from completion of orientation requirement. Schedule an appointment with your advisor for in-person registration. Click here to access your Student Success Portal to make an appointment. (Please note, appointment scheduling requires 24-hours notice). You may also email your advisor to schedule an appointment.
• Returning and transfer students with more than 24 transfer credits should have an assigned advisor. If no advisor is assigned students should check with the division office of your declared major.
• Other registration assistance is available:
  • Virtual Registration Hotline
  • Registration Round-up
• For additional assistance, email ChargerCenter@ColumbiaState.edu or call the Charger Center at 931.540.1321.

Finding Your Advisor

To find the name and contact information of the assigned advisor, log into ChargerNet and:

• Click “Student” tab in green shaded area.
• Click “My Advisor” button under Student Services.
• Choose current term.
• Identify “Primary Advisor” (If an advisor is not listed and all admissions requirements, including completion of orientation, please contact ChargerCenter@ColumbiaState.edu, from your Columbia State email, and include your legal name and A#).

Student Learning Outcomes for Advising:

As a result of actively participating in academic advising, students will:

1. Understand program requirements, to include general education requirements.
2. Create an academic plan based on goals and interests.
3. Use advising technology to make advising appointments, register each semester, and communicate with advisor.
4. Utilize college student support services to meet academic, personal, and career goals.
5. Locate college policies and procedures regarding registration, academic standing, and student conduct.

Responsibilities

Student Responsibilities:

• Checking Columbia State student email regularly (individual class email may be separate).
• Scheduling appointments when required or needed with an advisor.
• Knowing important dates such as early registration, confirm & pay deadlines, schedule adjustment periods, financial aid deadlines, drop/withdrawal, etc.
• Consulting with an advisor or instructor for referrals to college resources if experiencing academic or personal difficulties.
• Knowing the graduation requirements for program of study and transfer institution (if applicable).
• Satisfying all requirements for degree completion and graduation.

Educational decisions are ultimately the student's responsibility. However, it is important for every student to receive academic advising to ensure the best possible choices are made. 

Advisor Role and Responsibilities:

• Maintain confidentiality
• Be knowledgeable about and ensure students understand advising technology, academic programs, college policies and procedures, and graduation requirements.
• Encourage and guide students to develop and pursue their goals and create an academic plan through graduation.
• Refer students to appropriate campus resources.
• Be accessible via phone, email, and by appointment and respond to students in a timely manner.
• Follow through on actions promised to students.
• Recommend appropriate classes and describe catalog of record and other tools/resources to assist students in course selection and registration.
• Collaborate with program faculty to ensure a smooth transition to the faculty advisor.