Sep 02, 2025

News/Notes for Undergraduate Academic Advisors: Academic Dates to Note | Engaging Students - Expectations/Connections | Study Abroad Fair | Ascendium Repayment Support

Academic Dates to Note
  • See details and academic and schedule adjustment deadlines at the Office of the Registrar Calendar Dates to Observe.
  • Monday, September 8, 2025
    • Tuition & fees for semester based on load (4:30pm)
    • Full Semester: Last day to add a course for credit (Student Request required to add course after this date)
    • Full Semester: Last day to change to or from Audit
    • Full Semester: Last day to drop a course with No Report
      • The Drop Form is used for dropping courses once the term has begun and can be submitted in person (with a photo ID) or via email.
      • A completed form (with signatures if required) sent to registrar@uni.edu must be from the student's UNI email.
        • All forms received from a personal (non-UNI) email will not be accepted.
Engaging Students - Expectations/Connections 
  • Establishing clear expectations and responsibilities is essential for building a productive and supportive advising relationship—one where students feel empowered, informed, and engaged in their academic journey.
    • Establishing Clear Expectations
      • Define the advising relationship early - Explain your role and what students can expect from you (e.g., guidance, support, referrals—not decision-making).
      • Set meeting norms - Clarify how often students should meet with you, how to schedule appointments, and preferred communication methods.
      • Outline student responsibilities - Encourage students to: Come prepared with questions or topics | Review their degree audit before meetings | Follow through on action items
    • Building Connection
      • Invite questions and feedback - Let students know it’s okay to ask questions or express concerns about their academic path.
      • Be transparent - If there are limitations to what you can do (e.g., override policies), explain them clearly.
      • Adapt to individual needs - Recognize that each student may need different levels of support and adjust accordingly.
      • Celebrate progress - Acknowledge when students meet goals or take positive steps—this builds motivation and trust.
Study Abroad Fair
  • Wednesday, September 10 | 11 AM – 3 PM | Maucker Union Ballrooms
  • Students can explore programs in 30+ countries, meet past participants and faculty leaders, and learn about scholarships, credit transfer, and more.
  • Passport Services at the Fair: We are also working to increase accessibility to obtaining a passport. Faculty, staff, students, and community members can renew or apply for their passports at the Study Abroad Fair
    • Click here for detailed information on passport application requirements. If you or your students can’t attend, we’ll also host a Passport Day on Wednesday, November 19 at the Study Abroad Center.
  • Please help us spread the word to students and feel free to attend any of these events yourself! With questions contact: study-abroad@uni.edu
Ascendium Repayment Support
  • UNI is partnering with Ascendium to assist former students with loan repayment and want individuals to know this is a legitimate resource.
  • Successfully repaying student loans starts with understanding responsibilities, knowing repayment options, and creating a plan that fits a budget. We recognize that navigating this process can be overwhelming, which is why we’ve partnered with Ascendium Education Solutions® to provide expert, reliable and personalized student loan counseling and to protect our students from scams and misinformation:
    • Ascendium can help them navigate student loan repayment.
    • Ascendium has trustworthy experts that won’t take advantage of them.
    • There’s no cost to them should they utilize Ascendium’s help.
  • If you encounter a UNI student with loan repayment concerns, suggest they contact Ascendium Student Loan Success Center™ at (833) 707-1220 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. CT.
  • Contact Jennifer Sullivan, Assistant Director of Loans, as the UNI contact for questions about this student-facing service.
Is Your Student Questioning their Current Major?
  • Help them Pivot with Purpose by referring them to the Office of Academic Advising. Advisors offer personalized support to help students explore:
    • Major, minor, and certificate options | Reasons for changing majors (e.g., lack of interest, career goals, academic challenges) | Self-assessments like FOCUS 2 or Strong Inventory | Goal-setting and decision-making strategies
    • Encourage students to schedule an appointment or complete the Academic Discuss Your Major Options Request Form.
    • As a faculty or staff member, you can complete this referral form to start the outreach to a student considering changing their major.
Institutional Academic Advising Vision & Mission Statement (revised Spring 2016) [See Academic Advising Mission, Vision, Goals & Outcomes webpage]
  • Vision Statement: UNI aspires to create the best possible advising experience for each student.
  • Mission Statement: Academic Advising is a critical component of the teaching and learning environment at UNI. Advising is a personalized educational experience, empowering students to explore, articulate and achieve their academic, career and life goals.