Advising

• Provide an encouraging and supportive environment for students to share their goals, concerns, and interests.
• Actively listen to questions and concerns and assist in development of decision-making skills, self-evaluation skills, and educational plans.
• Understand and effectively communicate George Mason University degree requirements.
• Assist students in making informed course decisions utilizing PatriotWeb and Degree Evaluation tools.
• Refer students to appropriate campus resources, organizations, and faculty/staff members as needed to facilitate academic performance and enhance your college experience.
• Maintain confidentiality of student records as outlined in the University Catalog.
• Create a safe, positive environment to freely explore ideas and interests regarding personal, academic, and career goals.
• Uphold the values, policies, and procedures of their schools, departments, and George Mason University.

• At least once per semester, schedule regular and timely appointments with their advisors.
• Attend advising appointments as scheduled.
• Ask questions about the role institutional policies and procedures, general education requirements, academic programs, and student services are apart of the academic experience.
• Explore campus services, such as Learning Services, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), Office of Disability Services (ODS), Assistive Technology Initiative (ATI), Writing Center, Math Tutoring Center,
• Explore extracurricular activities in order to facilitate your academic achievements.
• Regularly review their academic progress utilizing GMU advising tools (Degree Evaluation/DegreeWorks) and assume responsibility for meeting academic requirements.
• Craft educational plans based on assessment of abilities, aspirations, interests, and values. Be thoughtful of your educational plan. Set short-term and long-term goals for achievements.
• Read both print and electronic university communication and respond when required.
• Assume responsibility for all decisions and actions that may impact academic and career options.
• Be aware of your rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

This is a federal law that gives protection to student educational records and provides students with certain rights. These rights include:

• Inspect and review their educational records;
• Request the amendment of inaccurate or misleading records;
• Consent to disclosure of personally identifiable information contained in their educational record;
• File a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by an educational institution to comply with this law

See more information at the Office of the Registrar’s website.

E-mail communication via a student’s college-issued e-mail account is the mandatory method of communication at George Mason University. Due to privacy regulations, the advisor will communicate solely through your college-issued account. While some inquiries may be resolved through e-mail correspondence, most situations benefit from scheduling a face-to-face appointment for further discussion.

Advisors are available to answer some questions via e-mail. E-mails to advisors are professional communications, so please include: first name, last name, and G-number. An advisor will return your message within three business days. Advisors cannot advise over the phone due to FERPA regulations.