Change of Advisor Process

The new advisor change process is accomplished through your Banner account. To check your current advisor or to select a new advisor, follow these steps:

     •  Log into Banner
     •  Select “Student Menu”
     •  Then select “Academic Process”
     •  Then select “Change of Advisor” – At this point you will be shown your current advisor(s)

Once in “Change of Advisor” you have several options.

• You will begin by identifying your major (or minor) department (you will not be able to change your major or minor);
• Once this has been done, you will be able to view all of the advisors that are currently available – In you department in addition to all advisors.
• From the list of available advisors you will be able to select the advisor of your choice.
• Once you have selected your new advisor your records will automatically be available to your new advisor(s).

          https://banweb.spu.edu/pls/prod/wwskadvr.p_change_advisor

Frequently Asked Questions about the Change of Advisor Process

•  There is an advisor that I want but she is not available on the list?
Faculty advising loads are pre-determined. Once a faculty member has a full advising load then they are no longer listed on the “available” list. These limits are set so faculty can spend enough time with each student on their advising list.

•  The advisor I want is not available but I really need him because of my particular area of study. What should I do?
First, consider whether there are other available advisors who might be able to assist you. Faculty are able to handle a wide variety of academic advising and vocational issues. However, if it is imperative you have a particular advisor you may go directly to that faculty member and if the faculty member agrees he can override the limit and add you to his advising list.

•  What if I have changed my field of study, but that is not reflected in the advisor change websites?
The advisor change websites draw information from other areas. Even if you have decided to change your intended major, and the system does not reflect that, you will be able you to choose an advisor from your intended department. You will be presented with a list of all possible advisor.

•  Do I really need an advisor as I feel I can figure this out on my own?
If you have not yet been accepted into a major you are required to see an advisor each quarter before you register for classes to lift your “hold.” Once you have been accepted into a major you are no longer required to have an advisor lift your hold. However, we highly recommend you see your advisor on a regular basis to assure that you are progressing towards graduation. Also, you are required to have an advisor for your major, and any minors if you have them, because it is your advisor who completes your graduation check list for the major (and minor) requirements.

•  I don't think I need a faculty advisor because I already have an advisor in Student Academic Services.
One great feature of our advising program at Seattle Pacific is you actually are required to have two advisors. Your faculty advisor provides guidance on the selection of classes, information on your major (and minor if you have any), and vocational guidance among other things. Your student academic services counselor provides essential policy related information such as transfer of credits, identifying appropriate off-campus courses, like summer school at home, academic petitions, answering questions specific to your education, and posting your degree. Our goal is for the faculty advisor and the student academic service counselor to work together to assure the successful completion of your education.

•  Do I need to select a new advisor now?
No. If you are satisfied with your current advisor you do not need to switch at this time.

•  How do I know who is my faculty advisor and how did I get the advisor I currently have?
When you log onto your Banner account, and follow the steps outlined above, your current advisor is listed.

When you came to Seattle Pacific you were assigned an advisor. If you came in as a freshman you were assigned your University Seminar professor as an advisor. Freshman generally stay with their advisor through their freshman year and may change at any time after the end of your first year; some freshman in specific programs, such as pre-med and engineering, often select advisors from these programs after the close of the fall quarter. After the freshman year you are welcome to, and often encouraged to select an advisor in the area of your academic interest.

If you came in as a transfer student you were assigned an advisor based on what you indicated as your intended major. Once you have completed one quarter at SPU, you are able to change advisors.

•  Why can't I change my advisor?
All students, in their first quarter at SPU, are assigned an advisor. Once you finish your first quarter, you will be able to change your advisor. If you feel you need an advisor change before the end of your first quarter, please contact advisorchange@spu.edu.

•  I am a Faculty member and I need a hard copy of my advisee's file. How can I get a copy?
Faculty can receive a hard copy of a student's file by contacting Student Academic Services at sasinfo@spu.edu.

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