A variety of academic advice and counsel is offered to students during the course of their undergraduate education. Instructors, departmental and administrative officers and some special programs are available to partner with the individual student to help each explore and develop their academic interests and talents and take advantage of the academic and intellectual opportunities available through the College.
In the first-year each student is assigned an Academic Advisor who is either a member of the regular teaching faculty or an administrative officer whose responsibilities keep him or her in close contact with the curriculum of the College. The Deans of the College also advise undergraduates, transfer, exchange, and international students. The Deans of the College coordinate the first-year advising program, review the academic progress of individual students, and-when appropriate-call students in to discuss their situations.
In the sophomore year, students continue their relationship with their first-year advisor and it is recommended that they seek advice from deans, former advisors, and instructors, along with pre-professional and other special advisors (see page 415). Sophomores are also encouraged to discuss major options and requirements with faculty members from departments and programs in which they have an interest before declaring a major in the spring semester.
The student-run Peer Mentor and Peer Advisor programs can provide additional advice and information for students during their first and sophomore years in particular, as well as for any student wishing a peer perspective about particular courses, departments, programs, majors, or areas of study. New this year, six peer mentors (2 from each division) who are juniors or seniors, nominated by departments will hold weekly evening office hours and be available by appointment in the student organization suite on the second floor of the Paresky Center. Peer Mentors are nominated by departments and programs from among the year's senior majors. During the course of the year the Peer Mentors hold several Course and Majors Fairs, keep informed about any changes in faculty, and curriculum in their departments, and generally make themselves available for consultation by students.
In the junior and senior years students are advised by faculty from their major departments or programs. Each department or program determines its own advising system for its majors, although chairs are regularly available for consultation.
ACADEMIC ASSISTANCE
Additional programs of academic assistance are also available through the Academic Resources office. Any student who desires extra help in a particular course that he or she is registered may request a tutor who has been recommended by the respective departments to Academic Resources office; costs of this tutoring are covered by Academic Resources. Students seeking to enhance their writing skills in any course may take advantage of the Writing Workshop. Trained and supervised by a coordinator, student writing tutors provide assistance on papers already corrected and with drafts of papers in any stage of the writing process. The Math and Science Resource Center (MSRC), a drop-in help center staffed by student tutors who come highly recommended from the respective departments, is also available to students of Biology 101, 102, and 202, Chemistry 151, 153, 155, 156, 251, 255, Mathematics 100, 101, 103, 104, 105, and 106, Physics 131, 132, 141, and 142, and Statistics 101, and 201. The MSRC which is open from 8 p.m. to 12 midnight Sundays through Thursdays throughout both academic semesters works in close cooperation with the faculty teaching those courses.
All students are encouraged to take full advantage of these academic resources.
EXCHANGE AND STUDY ABROAD
Advising of exchange students and of Williams students wishing to study abroad in the junior year is coordinated by the Dean's Office. Special orientation and information meetings are held during the fall semester for new students and for students wishing to study abroad. Orientation and counseling of international students is arranged by the International Student Advisor in the Dean's Office.