HELP Undergraduate Catalog 2012-13 [ARCHIVED CATALOG] College of Arts and Sciences Print-Friendly Page (opens a new window) Facebook this Page (opens a new window) Tweet this Page (opens a new window)

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Alexander Enyedi
Dean

Cathryn Bailey
Associate Dean

Terrell Hodge
Associate Dean
 

Mission of the College

The College of Arts and Sciences, as a key component in a student-centered research university, integrates research, teaching, and service in a manner that supports the college’s vision by fostering the discovery, extension, dissemination, preservation, and application of knowledge, The college:

• Supports the personal and professional growth of students and faculty
• Provides high-quality teaching for the full range of the college’s educational responsibilities
• Pursues basic and applied research in and across disciplines
• Develops critical thinking, communication, research, aesthetic and creative abilities, problem solving, and multiple learning skills
• Fosters the development of disciplinary, core knowledge
• Provides students with the skills to communicate effectively across disciplines and cultures
• Raises awareness about the social, cultural, environmental, and international contexts of knowledge to help students develop the skills to address the most pressing social, scientific, and moral problems of our society
• Promotes high levels of professional integrity and general civility among faculty, staff and students
• Commits to diversity in the recruitment and retention of students and faculty
• Serves as a resource to the university and local, state, national, and global communities
• Generates enthusiasm for lifelong learning

Vision for the College

The College of Arts and Sciences seeks to create a challenging and intellectually vital learning community. Such a community engages students and faculty alike in a continuing discourse, providing focus for being active, informed, productive, creative, open-minded, and ethically responsible citizens in a complex, multicultural, and rapidly changing world.

The College of Arts and Sciences is committed to the support and enhancement of graduate education, undergraduate education, research, and public/professional service; informed in all dimensions by commitment to diversity, to collaboration, to social responsibility and to civility; and sustained by continuous development and recognition of the efforts of faculty, advising personnel, support staff, emeriti and alumni.

 *This major is to be selected only along with a standard major.

Academic Advising Office

Kevin Knutson, Director
Jacquelyn Bizzell
Nick Gauthier
Kerrie Jo Harvey
Bette Ludwig
Cheryl Ann Peters
Tammi Roberts
Yumi Takahashi-Ede
2318 Friedmann Hall
(269) 387-4366
www.wmich.edu/cas/advising

Mission and Goals Statement

Vision

Western Michigan University’s College of Arts and Sciences Academic Advising Office strives to be internationally recognized as a comprehensive advising program model for its students, the University community and the increasingly globalized academic arena.

Mission Statement

Academic Advising, as a key component in a student-centered research university, is dedicated to engaging students in intentional, collaborative, supportive, and meaningful partnerships that promote personal growth, educational excellence, cultural appreciation, and career development in order to facilitate self-directed, life-long learning.

Goals Statement

The College of Arts and Sciences Advising Office reflects the institutional goal of excellence in teaching and learning that is focused on student success. We will…

1. Ensure that students have access to knowledgeable and informed advisors who demonstrate care and respect.
2. Provide accurate information about educational opportunities, requirements, policies, and procedures.
3. Collaborate with students on the development and implementation of academic plans and educational experiences congruent with the student’s interests and abilities.
4. Teach students to utilize university resources to maximize their unique educational and personal potential.
5. Develop critical thinking, communication, research, aesthetic and creative abilities, problem solving, and multiple learning skills.
6. Serve as a resource to the university and local, state, national and global communities.
7. Transform university academic advising via ongoing assessment, evaluation, and dissemination of findings.
    

Students in the Arts and Sciences Liberal Education Curriculum should see a college advisor to plan their degree programs. The staff of the College of Arts and Sciences Advising Office advises students concerning Liberal Education Curriculum requirements as well as Intellectual Skills and other University requirements. An appointment with an advisor should be scheduled during the student’s first enrollment period in order to obtain information regarding requirements.

Transfer students in the Liberal Education Curriculum, after they have received their credit evaluation forms from the Admissions Office, should have their transfer courses evaluated for credit toward their Liberal Education and other college or University requirements.

The staff of the Academic Advising office will provide introductory information about the programs, majors and minors available within the College of Arts and Sciences and will make referrals to other advising facilities and university resources, such as departmental advisors, etc. Students seeking exploratory information about the programs and curricula of the College are encouraged to visit this office.

Within the College of Arts and Sciences at Western Michigan University, we offer a two-tier advising system for undergraduates. Students receive major/minor specific advising through the faculty or staff expertise within the department and general advising regarding university and general education requirements as well as pre-professional advising through the college’s advising office located in 2318 Friedmann Hall (schedule an appointment online at www.wmich.edu/cas/advising/ or by calling (269) 387-4366).

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