Fewer students are getting advised since implementation of permanent PINs, according to several professors. Formerly, students used to have to see their adviser every semester to receive their PIN to schedule for classes on the Nicholls website. Professors would advise students at that time. Currently, all students receive a single PIN for their entire college career. Consequently, professors are reporting fewer students seek advising.

“I used to see 15 to 20 students every semester,” James Stewart, department head of mass communication, said. “I had two last advising cycle.”

Professors are concerned that students who are not getting advised will have trouble scheduling the correct classes at the correct time.

“This can be a real problem for the students,” Rick Duet, associate professor of mass communication, said. “Students do not always pay attention to prerequisites and take courses out of turn. They don’t realize that a course they need to graduate may not be offered every semester.”

Duet said he has several students he advises who hope to graduate early, but may not due to lack of advising. They have encountered setbacks at the last minute.

“You can cause yourself some problems,” Duet said. “You may be taking extra courses and cause yourself some extra time to graduate.

Duet said another issue he is concerned about is accreditation. The different academic departments must keep records of student progress during school and after graduation. Advisers who see their advisees regularly are able to keep track of information like current addresses, awards and phone numbers.

“If you see your adviser regularly,” Duet said, “we can keep track better, and when you come to check out for graduation there are no surprises.”

The accounting department is also looking into the effects of advising on students and how to improve it.

“We do exit interviews with graduating seniors (in the accounting department) every semester,” Benny Zachry, professor of accounting, said. “The one thing that keeps popping up in these interviews is they are not happy with advising.”

According to Zachry, many students believe advising is scheduling the courses they want, when they want them, at the time they want them, but it should be more than that.

The accounting department has formed a committee on advising, chaired by Zachry, that is forming a focus group of students to get input on what they want from their advising experience.

“Our curriculum in the accounting department is very cut and dry,” Zachry said. “Our students don’t need advising on what courses to take. I think what they want is more advising on career opportunities after they graduate.”

Robert Alexander, director of advising training for University College, said he is working to improve advising at Nicholls.

“Advising on this campus and other university campuses is leading more toward advising students on what courses they want to take and actually plugging them in the computer,” Alexander said. “While we still think that is very important, we also believe it is very important for students to engage their adviser in a dialogue about various issues related to their acclimation to campus.”

According to Alexander, other concerns include getting students involved in extracurricular activities related to their major and getting students familiar with resources on campus they may need.

Students who do get advised say the process has helped them.

“I get advised every semester,” Stacey Bestal, health care management senior from Houma, said. “I just want to make sure I am getting the right class, and I think people that don’t get advised get messed up and have to graduate later.”

“I get advised because the professors in my field are very knowledgeable and help me a lot,” Sarah Thibodeaux, psychology sophomore from Lockport, said.

Students who do not get advised have said they believe it is too much of a hassle.

“I schedule on my own because it is easier,” Brooke Oubre, nursing sophomore from Gramercy, said. “I do not have to go and set up an appointment and talk to anyone.