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Personal counseling and advising of students is a primary responsibility of the Dean of Students and her staff. The Career Planning Office is also a part of the Dean of Students staff. This staff works in coordination with the Counseling Center, the Health Services, the Chaplains, the Office of Black Students Affairs and the Office of Chicano/Latino Student Affairs of the Claremont Colleges.
Faculty members are not expected to act as counselors or personal advisers, but only as academic advisers.
Academic Advisers: There are numerous resources available to assist students in educational planning. At the center of the academic advising program is the student’s faculty adviser who is available to assist in defining educational interests and goals and in developing course of study.
A faculty adviser is assigned to each entering student for the first year. Students are free to change advisers at any time and are encouraged to do so once a major has been decided upon. A change-of-adviser form is available in the Registrar’s Office. Faculty advisers are not always assigned to new students on the basis of expressed academic interests. Because no one person can provide all the information about courses and curriculum that a new student is likely to need, students are encouraged to ask questions of other faculty members and resource persons. Students interested in medical school, those interested in majors such as engineering, music, or science, and students interested in studying abroad are especially encouraged to see the faculty in these areas, because early planning is particularly important. A student, in consultation with the adviser, should compile information from many sources in planning the program.
A Scripps student is expected to assume responsibility for initiating all contact with the academic adviser for information and advice about requirements, classes, low-grade notices, potential graduate programs, and other academic matters. Specifically, a student accepts the following advising responsibilities:
- Read catalog, the current course listings publication, review all information and materials on the Scripps College Registrar’s web page, and The Guide to Student Life before meeting with advisor.
- Initiate meeting with advisor during posted office hours at pre-registration/registration time to discuss requirements, classes and plan of study.
- Contact advisor for approval on registration forms, declaration of major and minor forms, and any academic petition form in a timely fashion.
- Know the office hours of the advisor and adhere to them. If another time is necessary, contact advisor for a mutually agreeable appointment time.
- Initiate and assume responsibility for any contact with the advisor for information about requirements, classes, graduate schools, etc.
- Initiate contact with professor and/or adviser upon receipt of a low grade notice.
Career Planning and Resources: Career Planning and Resources staff offer assistance to Scripps women in planning and seeking their choices of graduate schools and professional opportunities. A special library provides extensive information on life planning and career opportunities. A calendar is maintained of fellowship and scholarship application deadlines for Scripps students who seeks such assistance in their plans for graduate study. In addition, an extensive file on summer (non-credit) internships is provided and students are encouraged to take advantage of these opportunities. Careers are discussed in groups with special guests representing a variety of life styles and professions as well as in private meetings between the student and the career counselor. Students play an active role in planning programs and discussions relating to career opportunities.
Resident Advisers: Each year, juniors or seniors are selected on the basis of their leadership to work as resident advisers to each hall. The residential life staff also includes four professional staff members who live in the residence halls and provide for the overall management of the residence halls.
Peer Mentors: The Peer Mentor Program is a year-long program designed to help new students in their adjustment to college. Every new student at Scripps College is assigned a peer mentor who is trained to be a resource for first-year and transfer students. These volunteers are chosen each year through an application process.
The Counseling Center: The Claremont Colleges maintain both a Counseling Center and Health Center. The Counseling Center offers counseling on personal and emotional problems. Consultation and instruction in reading and in study techniques are also offered. Students are encouraged to use the center whenever such services seem appropriate or necessary. It is to be understood that the relationship they establish with the Center is confidential as standard ethical practice.
Chaplaincy: Individual counseling and small group discussions are regularly offered by the office of the Chaplain which is staffed by a priest, rabbi and Protestant chaplain. The Chaplains of the Colleges also are active with the student activities and student organizations. They work closely with Resident Advisers and with the Dean of Students in their counseling capacities.
Africana Studies and Chicanx Studies: In addition to the academic/curricular components for Africana Studies and Chicanx Studies, the Colleges jointly support the Office of Black Student Affairs (OBSA) and Chicano/Latino Student Affairs Office (CLSA) which provide personal and academic counseling, support groups, career planning assistance, etc. The Dean of Students staff works closely with staff of these two services to provide support and assistance for Black and Chicana students and to promote programs of racial diversity for all students.
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