HCC students and academic advisors must have a working relationship in order to effectively plan and execute a student’s academic or career plan. Prior to meeting an academic advisor, students should be made aware of the academic advisor’s role as well as their role as the advisee.

HCC Academic Advisor's Role
Academic Advisors are available to assist students with their educational plan and to provide information on academic resources and services available to them at HCC. To succeed in this helping role, an academic advisor must:

1. have a thorough understanding of the current curriculum, institutional requirements, course sequences and general education requirements. In addition to the core, an advisor must have knowledge of the specific requirements for all offered disciplines.
2. be knowledgeable of HCC’s current institutional policies and procedures.
3. be familiar with current institutional support services, special programs, and co-curricular activities for accurate and appropriate referrals.
4. have basic interpersonal communication and counseling skills.
5. keep information disclosed in all academic advising sessions confidential, unless written permission is given by the student or if sessions are in an emergency nature.

Students visiting the Office of Academic Advising will be:

1. aided by an advisor who will assist each advisee to plan each term's program of courses and, as soon as possible, help to determine a comprehensive educational plan.
2. explained the academic program core and departmental requirements.
3. advisor's signature (*on approval) for student's enrollment changes.
4. provided a record of his/her academic progress.
5. informed of all HCC partnerships of transfer credit articulations with in state and out-of state colleges and universities.

Student (Advisee) Responsibilities
Students should take the initiative to seek advisement and develop a close helping relationship with their advisors. Students must be proactive in regards to their academic and career plans. The advisee has primary responsibility for:

1. actively making decisions about his/her educational goals, including selection of courses, major, and career.
2. setting time for scheduling advising meetings with an academic advisor early in the semester and before peak registration dates.
3. preparing to make full use of the advising session with an academic advisor. By providing the advisor with needed academic documentation such as official college transcripts, SAT/ACT score reports, placement test results, and other pertinent information.
4. taking the time to review the core and major requirements, course offerings prior to an advising appointment.
5. being knowledgeable of changes made to academic programs, curriculums, class schedules, and academic policies and procedures which can be found in the college’s current student catalogue and printed schedules of classes.
6. being open-minded to the academic advisors recommendations and the willingness to take action on areas that require improvement.
7. reading all college communications and meeting all college deadlines pertinent to him/her. (For example, the colleges catalog, the course schedule booklet, the student handbook, letters/postcards from the registrar, deans, department chairs, etc.)
8. provide all necessary disability documentation for any needed academic accommodations.

Academic Advisor’s Advising Limitations
The academic advisor serves as a facilitator and role model. However, there are limitations to an advisor's responsibilities. An academic advisor:

1. can NOT make decisions for an advisee, but can be a sympathetic listener and offer recommendations and/or alternatives to consider.
2. can NOT discourage a student’s academic potential but encourage maximum development of talents.
3. can NOT change college policy or academic requirements, but can inform and recommend course of action.
4. can NOT serve as a personal counselor, but can be a resource for referrals to appropriate professional personnel.