Mason department works to ‘streamline the process’ of academic advising

Mason's Government and International Politics Department has changed its advising policy in hopes that it will help students receive academic advising assistance sooner. (darkensiva).

George Mason University’s Department of Government and International Politics is issuing a new advising policy this semester, incorporating an entire system of faculty and staff rather than one faculty advisor for the department.

Academic Coordinator Matt Green, says that he knows the change is “[Public and International Politics] specific [and] does not know whether or not other departments will also be changing their advising program in the near future”.

The former system assigned a faculty advisor to students within the major program while prospective students joining the major would receive advice from the Undergraduate Director.

Basic paperwork would be completed by the office staff with the exception of credit-evaluations for which the Undergraduate Director and Chair were responsible. Faculty advisors for specific minors were also available.

Green says that “major changes involve streamlining the process and consolidating non-specialized advising into an Undergraduate Advising team, something that helps students get assistance more quickly” The new system was implemented due to a decision made by a Regular Governance Faculty Committee review.

Green commented further on the change saying, “it's the same reason that Apple [computers] keeps designing better and better products.  They're simply not satisfied with good enough, and neither are we”.

General questions, orientations, freshmen/sophomore advising, student suspensions, and academic progress fall into what has been called the first tier of advising. Matt Green and Dr. Ann Ludwick, the Undergraduate Program Director, work in this tier.

The second tier handles upperclassmen advising, concentration questions, graduate school advising, and career questions. Field Directors are available by appointment for help in this tier.

These new positions allow for the same close advising feel that the previous system offered, with the head advising staff bringing undergraduates to these directors as needed. More information on specific Field Directors can be found at pia.gmu.edu.

The third tier includes minor degree advising and law school advising for majors, non-majors, and alumni. Each minor has its own advisor and there are separate pre-law advisors as well.

Matt Green can be reached from 9-5 p.m. in Robinson Hall A201, while Dr. Ludwick can be reached on Monday from 12-7 p.m.and on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 12-4 p.m. in Robinson Hall A204. Peter Balint, the Associate Chair, can be seen by appointment.

For general questions on the Bachelor of Arts in Government, emails can be sent to gvip@gmu.edu.  The Bachelor of Science in Public Administration can be reached at puad@gmu.edu.