Advising Rights and Responsibilities

Rights and Responsibilities of Advisees

This Bill of Rights and Responsibilities governs advising during the Academic Year (Fall, Winter, and Spring Quarters). During Summer quarters, students are encouraged to communicate directly with the Biology Advising Office.

As a Biology student, you should expect the following

  • A caring and prepared academic faculty advisor who is familiar with the academic requirements of Biology degrees.
  • An annual welcoming message from your academic faculty advisor as well as other messages with information of special interest as determined by your advisor.
  • A response from your academic faculty advisor within a week of initial contact, unless advisor has communicated their unavailability and what steps you can take for advising in their absence.
  • Meeting with your academic faculty advisor upon a mutually agreeable time.
  • The opportunity to discuss a wide range of topics with your academic faculty advisor to the best of the advisor’s ability. These topics can include, but are not limited to, the biology degree, your experiences with college, and your post-college plans. Although advisors may not have all the answers in some cases, they should be able to refer you to others who may be able to help.
  • The ability to change your academic faculty advisor by making a request to the Biology Advising Office (BiologyAdvising@wwu.edu).

As a Biology student, you are responsible for

  • Contacting your academic faculty advisor for advising.
  • Responding to your academic faculty advisor within a week.
  • Advance communication with your academic faculty advisor to schedule a meeting and/or in the event that you need to cancel a scheduled meeting.
  • Being familiar with the academic requirements of your degree and tools for planning. This information is available via Viking Advisorthe Biology Department websiteDegree Works, and in emails sent from the Biology Advising Office.