Best Practices for Writing Advising Reports and Notes

What should go into a report/note?

  • Fact-based, descriptive notes convey the unique dynamics of each student advising contact
  • Be specific when describing what was discussed and agreed upon between you and the student
  • Use the outline below to help structure the note/report
    • Reason for meeting
    • Information provided to student (e.g., change of major, academic planning, pre-reqs, drop/add, satisfactory academic progress)
    • List of all majors, minors, certificates that are of interest to the student and you discussed
    • List of classes you suggested/discussed for enrollment
    • Note all referrals that were made and use the referral process functionality in Pathways to connect students to resources

Use objective language and be mindful of FERPA

  • Exercise care when recording information, conversations, or referrals of a highly personal or sensitive nature
  • Do not diagnose, assess, or offer personal judgment about students or their circumstance
  • As with any document containing a student's personally identifiable information, advising notes/reports are part of a student's education record and are subject to FERPA
  • For more information about FERPA, please visit the Registrar’s website
  • Note that all Pathways users are required to watch a video on FERPA