8-03.4a Procedure - Faculty Advising Release

Eligibility for Advising Course Release

1. Commitment Period
   • Faculty must commit to advising responsibilities for both the fall and spring semesters, beginning on the first day of the fall contract period and concluding on the final day of the spring contract period.
2. Approval Process
   • All advising releases must be formally approved by the faculty member’s Academic Dean.
3. Maximum Release
   • Faculty may be granted up to six release hours per semester (fall and spring).
   • The maximum allowable release for nine-month faculty is twelve hours per academic year.
   • Summer advising release may be considered based on institutional need and must be approved by the Academic Dean.
   • Advising release cannot be submitted for an overload.
4. Probationary Period Requirement
   • Faculty members must have completed their probationary period at Greenville Technical College. Exceptions require approval from the Academic Dean.

Student Advising Deliverables

1. Advisee Load Requirements
   

   Load	Associate in Arts & Associate in Science Transfer	All Associate in Applied Science
   18 Lecture/Contact	20 students per hour of release	25 students per hour of release
   24 Lab/Contact	15 students per hour of release	19 students per hour of release

   The Academic Dean must approve any adjustments to load requirements.
2. Advisee Interactions
   
   • At least three interactions per advisee per semester are required, which can be conducted via in-person meetings, virtual appointments, phone conversations, or email dialogues. Group emails or other mass communications are not considered an advisee interaction.
3.  Assignment of Advisees
   • Faculty advising load will be within their academic area unless additional coverage is needed to meet advising targets in consultation with the Academic Dean.
4. Advising Standards
   • All advising must follow Appreciative Advising principles.
   • Regular documentation of interactions in the advising system of record is required, including detailed advising notes for at least 75% of assigned advisees.
5. Office Hours
   • Advising office hours are part of the faculty member’s established standard office hours.
   • Maintain weekly advising office hours in alignment with student availability:
     • Minimum of one hour on campus
     • Minimum of one hour during non-traditional hours, which may be conducted via Zoom
6. Additional Advising Responsibilities
   • Verify student prerequisites at the start of each term.
   • Support both new and continuing students during peak registration periods.
   • Assist with extended advising hours on Friday afternoons and/or Saturdays, as needed, during peak registration (two weeks before the term and one week after).
   • Provide students with:
     • Interpreting and following Guided Pathways
     • Reviewing and discussing the Student Success Plan
     • Referrals to appropriate support services
     • Transfer and reverse transfer options and processes
     • Health Sciences weighted admissions information, if applicable

Advising Training Requirements

1. Training Platform
   
   • All advising training materials will be made available via Blackboard Advising Resources & Training.
2. Mandatory Training
   • Faculty must complete all required training by the assigned deadlines.
   • A minimum passing score on the advising training assessment is required prior to the start of each semester.
3. Meeting Attendance
   • Faculty will attend monthly college-wide advising meetings, held virtually the first Wednesday of each month. Recordings will be provided for those with teaching conflicts.
4. Ongoing Professional Development
   • Faculty must participate in the Advising Training Academy each semester.
   • Additional training may be assigned as needed and must be completed as directed.

Compliance