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ACADEMIC ADVISING : ACADEMIC SUCCESS & CAMPUS RESOURCES

 

What does it take to be SUCCESSFUL in my academic work?
In a new book, Making the Most of College (Harvard University Press, 2001; summarized in The New York Times, 8 April 2001), Harvard Professor Richard Light makes the following suggestions, based on interviews with 1,600 Harvard students about what worked best for them:

1.

 Meet the faculty (Light writes, "Your job is to get to know one faculty member reasonably well and get that faculty member to know you reasonably well. If you do nothing else, do that.").
2. Take a mix of courses (especially those courses that interest you).
3. Study in groups (talk over what you're learning with small groups of students in the same class).
4. Write, write, write (the more writing the better, especially in classes where you have a chance to improve your writing).
5. Speak another language (not only do you gain the skills for an exceptional study abroad experience, you can also participate in small, interactive classes with maximum faculty involvement).
6. Consider how you use your time (managing time is the key to success: keep a log, use your planners).
7. Get involved in something outside of academics: a job, a volunteer activity, a student organization, athletics.

CAMPUS RESOURCES

The most successful "K" students make the most of the resources available on campus and in the community. Here are some of the offices, program areas, and people you might find helpful, depending on your interests.

ACADEMIC RESOURCE CENTER Math Center – O/U 205, Writing Center – UL 310 (337-5734)
  Provides assistance with writing, mathematics, and first-year science courses.
   
BOOKSTORE Hicks Center (337-7317)
  Carries textbooks, leisure reading, clothing and "K" items, cards, and small gifts.
   
BUSINESS OFFICE Mandelle 201 (337-7226)
  The business office can help students with questions regarding their tuition bills and Federal Perkins Loans and will cash checks when possible.
   
CENTER FOR CAREER DEVELOPMENT Dewing 112 (337-7183)
  Provides help with resume writing, internships, mock interviews, and workshops, and maintain a large resource library. The CCD staff report, "Our Center focuses on helping you identify, seek out, apply for, and secure the career opportunities you want. We won't simply hand you a job that people in your major often wind up in."
   
CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS Dewing 112 (337-7133)
  Provides experiential opportunities in international education through study abroad, university exchange programs, and services for international students and scholars in collaborations with our international partners. As a leader in education abroad, the CIP also advocates for international experiential education in local, regional, national and international forums.
   
CHAPEL & SPIRITUAL LIFE Stetson Chapel (337-7362)
  The College Chapel program is designed to serve the moral and spiritual needs of the campus community in ways that respect and reflect the College's diversity. It seeks to build community by sponsoring a variety of formal events, informal gatherings, and personal services. The program includes a weekly service on Friday morning and various special events and convocations, as well as opportunities to pursue social activism and receive pastoral counseling.
   
CLASS DEANS First Years – Zaide Pixley (337-5755)
Sophomores/Juniors (Fall & Winter) – Alyce Brady (337-7065)
Juniors (Spring)/Seniors – Robert Stauffer (337-7125)
  Class Deans have 3 primary functions: 1) to serve as an ombudsman or "go to" person for students with a problem or concern; 2) to help students navigate the critical issues and events of a particular year; and 3) to foster a sense of community within each class. The Class Deans are not replacements for advisors, RA’s, or other sources of help, but are a supplement to those, particularly if students don't know to whom to turn or if students feel that other sources of help have not been effective.
   
COUNSELING CENTER 217 Monroe Street (337-7190 or 337-7191, pponto@kzoo.edu or ahill@kzoo.edu)
  At the Counseling Center, psychologists help students work through a variety of personal and academically-related concerns, including stress, depression, anxiety, relationship issues, problems with eating, substance use issues, learning disabilities, test anxiety, and time management.
   
DEAN OF STUDENTS DeWaters Hall (337-7209)
  The Dean of Students can be helpful when students have experienced an emergency, unusual problems or circumstances having an impact on their education, or if there are health, mental health or behavioral issues having an impact on the classroom or a student's education. The Dean of Students also has broader oversight of Security, Residential Life, Campus Life, Multicultural Affairs, the First-Year Experience, the Counseling Center, the Chapel, and the Health Center.
   
FINANCIAL AID Mandelle 105 (337-7192)
  Administers all forms of financial assistance including managing student records for scholarships, determining eligibility for need based aid and maintaining compliance with agencies that provide the funds for all financial aid programs
   
HEALTH CENTER Harmon Hall (337-7200, healthsv@kzoo.edu)
  Provides free and/or low cost medical care to students for acute or chronic illnesses as well as preventative services.
   
INFORMATION SERVICES Upjohn Library Commons (337-5800 or 337-7149)
  Consists of Computing Services, Curricular Support and Media, Library, and Web Services. Of special interest to students: the library, e-mail, help desk, graphic, media and computer lab services. References librarians can teach you how to find information in print and electronic sources. In addition, they can explain how to obtain materials from other libraries.
   
MAIL CENTER Dewing 004 (337-7252)
  Available for students from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM and offers the following services: sending overnight, 2nd or 3rd day letters or packages, UPS packages, international letters and packages, faxes, and selling envelopes and postage.
   
MAIL HUT DeWaters Lounge (337-7208)
  Mail and packages for students are distributed Monday through Saturday, except for holidays.
   
MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS DeWaters Hall (337-7209)
  Serves as a primary resource for students of color. Its responsibilities include assessing student needs and the development, implementation and assessment of specific programmatic and service activities to appropriately respond to identified developmental needs. It assumes leadership for the development of "Intercultural Understanding", one of the five dimensions or outcomes that characterizes the K-Plan. It structures and implements various training interventions and programs designed to meet student and campus community needs.
   
RESIDENTIAL LIFE DeWaters Hall (337-7210)
  Supports the academic mission by providing opportunities for experiential education and personal development. The professional (Area Coordinators) and paraprofessional (RA's) staff assist students in negotiating needs, setting boundaries, and making choices, and work with students to provide educational and social programming for their living unit.
   
SECURITY Olds-Upton 110 (337-7321, tyoung@kzoo.edu or gsimpson@kzoo.edu)
  Responds to call about larcenies, assaults, student aid (when someone is hurt); provides escorts from dusk to dawn; lock and unlock buildings; and issue tickets in the parking lots. Security patrols the campus 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and is in charge of the ID cards used for entry into the campus buildings.
   
STUDENT HELP DESK Dewing Commons
  Provides a referral service for questions about academics.
   
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS DeWaters Hall (337-7207)
  Student organizations provide social opportunities that enrich student life at Kalamazoo College. In
addition to making friends and having fun, you will gain skills such as communicating effectively, planning and coordinating, creativity, leadership, and responsibility. Explore your options!
   
STUDENT ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE (SAC) DeWaters Hall (337-7207)
  SAC consists of a group of student volunteers who plan, organize, and implement major campus events for the student body such as Homecoming, Monte Carlo and Spring Fling. SAC members meet weekly with the Student Activities Coordinator to plan these events. Being involved with SAC is a great way to get acquainted with Kalamazoo College.
   
UNION DESK Hicks Center Lobby (337-7187) (will relocate during Hicks renovation)
  Offers information regarding the campus directory, campus and community events, lost and found, games room equipment, and many additional services