How to Meet with Advisees

Contact Advisees

You can access a list of all of your advisees and send e-mails to one or all individuals on that list using the College's online advising system.

• Log into the system using your netbadge password and login.
• If you have problems accessing the site, please write to
• Use the HELP button on each page for more information

The same system can also be used by Undergraduate Major Directors to access a list of all majors and to e-mail them as a group or by academic year.

Schedule Appointments

Please schedule expanded office hours during the weeks of advising so that students can sign up for an appointment. In the event students fail to come by during your expanded office hours, it is suggested that you schedule one or two subsequent group meetings rather than schedule individual meetings.

To enable advisees to schedule an appointment with you, use either the scheduling tool provided in the online advising system or post a sign-up sheet on your door. Be sure to let your advisees know via e-mail how to schedule an appointment with you.

Do not release advising holds without first meeting with students in person.

Prepare for Advising on Course Selection

Review the College of Arts & Sciences information about course enrollment prior to meeting with advisees. Directors of Undergraduate Programs should also review information about major advising.

A course selection worksheet (.pdf) and course enrollment time schedule worksheet (.pdf, 17KB) are available for students to help them plan their schedules, but it can also be useful for Advisors to keep track of student enrollments and plans.

Faculty use the SIS (Student Information System; formerly ISIS) to access the an Academic Requirements report (AR, formerly VISTAA) report or transcripts for their advisees. You may find it helpful to ask each advisee to bring a, AR report or laptop with them when they meet with you. You may make this request when you contact your advisees to inform them of your office hours.

Legal Liability of Advisors

Richard C. Kast, Associate General Counsel for the University of Virginia (; 924-3586), has issued the following statement on whether faculty can be held responsible for "faulty advice":

Generally, a faculty advisor who was sued for any reason would be entitled to representation, and would be insured in the event of a finding of liability, for acts undertaken in the scope of his or her employment. “Faulty advice” is probably not going to be a very compelling legal theory for a finding of liability, but of course anyone can file a suit, even if it is frivolous or silly.