Professors and Advisors
Professor/Instructor Expectations
The student-professor relationship is one in which each has responsibilities to the other. Professors' responsibilities include:
- To be well prepared with current material
- To have integrity in evaluation and grading
- To maintain an environment in which learning can take place
- To make clear what is expected from students
Other things to remember
Professors are busy, yet they want you to stop by if you have questions or concerns. However, don't expect them to complete your work for you! Make appointments whenever possible; yet also be aware that all professors have office hours posted.
Professors are human. If they know that you are interested and trying, they often will give you extra academic help and/or the benefit of the doubt on a grade. If they know you're not, they won't. Most are willing and anxious to help people learn. A teacher's greatest satisfaction comes from seeing someone learn and succeed.
Working with your Academic Advisor
When you were admitted to Mohawk Valley Community College, you were assigned an academic advisor for both educational and career advising.You can locate your assigned academic advisor by checking your Plan of Study in your SIRS account or by checking the advisory directory on the website. Since your advisor is responsible for assisting student advisees as needs occur, the following suggestions are offered to enhance your experiences with your advisor:
Your responsibility
- Know the name, office hours, office location and phone number of your advisor
- Contact and keep in touch with your advisor
- Make and keep appointments or call if it is necessary to change or cancel an appointment
- Come with specific questions in mind
- Come with necessary materials (pencils, course guide, forms, etc.)
- Ask about other sources of information
- Be open concerning careers, choice of majors, and selection of courses
- Make decisions concerning careers, choice of majors, and selection of courses
- Visit the Academic Advising Center (http://www.mvcc.edu/academics/advising/index.cfm) if you need immediate assistance and are unable to speak with your faculty advisor
How to see your advisor
- Become familiar with your advisor's office hours/schedule.
- Whenever possible, call to make an appointment rather than dropping in without one.
- If it is necessary to drop in without an appointment, try to come at a time when your advisor has office hours and allow plenty of time in case you have to wait to see your advisor.
- Because the first and last two weeks of each semester are the busiest for your advisor, schedule longer conferences (to discuss issues like possible majors and careers) during the middle part of the semester.
