SBP looks into academic plan

Student Body President J.J. Raynor has proposed a more personalized approach to advising.

But a large portion of her academic platform has been under way well before she took office and most likely would have happened whether Raynor supported them or not.

Other parts still must be examined for feasibility. Raynor will have to work with University administrators to lobby them to get her ideas approved before she leaves office.

'Personalized advising'

Raynor wants students to have a closer relationship with advisers than they now do with a team system.

Former Student Body President Eve Carson had already started working with the advising department to accomplish this, and as a result, teams will be disbanded by the next academic year, giving students one adviser from day one.

During C-TOPS, each adviser will be responsible for meeting with four students per session, rather than about 20, as in previous years.

Also, Raynor is pushing more electronic interaction with advisers via instant messenger and chats.

To determine the feasibility of that idea, Raynor will have to meet with administrators, who have an understanding of what's actually possible.

"We always listen," said Carolyn Cannon, associate dean of Academic Advising. "Sometimes the ideal situation sounds great, but trying to implement it may be a little more difficult."

Technological progression

Raynor said that there's software available for chats but that it would require a grant because the University has called for a moratorium on software purchases because of Enterprise Resource Planning.

ERP will change how students register for classes, review academic progress and handle financial aid.

Raynor attended a demonstration for the new portal that will eventually replace Student Central and MyUNC. She said that she was impressed with the power of the prototype but that she thinks improvements are possible.

"It needs to be a little bit prettier," she said.

Although an ERP timeline has already been established for the student implementation phase, Stephanie Szakal, assistant vice chancellor for ERP, said student leaders, including Raynor, have and will continue to have a say.

Pre-graduate school advice

A conversation between Raynor and Cindy Spurlock, president of the Graduate and Professional Student Federation, was the first step toward a pre-graduate school advising office for students to get support from advisers and graduate students.

"I think we need to move on carefully because it needs to be done right," Spurlock said, adding that she will be working on it with Raynor during the summer.

Spurlock said a pilot program is being run through the provost's office and has been successful so far.

Study abroad mentoring

Raynor wants to implement a peer-to-peer advising system for study abroad programs in which students will be able to talk to other students who have participated in the program they are interested in.

She said she hopes the study abroad office will offer its network to get in touch with study abroad alumni to advertise the program.

Raynor hopes both peer advising and pre-graduate advising will begin by the next academic year.

Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.