Office of Academic Services

The Office of Academic Services offers a variety of programs designed to promote student success in the classroom and after graduation. The staff adheres to a developmental approach, recognizing that students learn best when they actively participate in making decisions about their fields of study and future careers.

Freshman and Undeclared Student Advising

The Office of Academic Services coordinates academic advising for freshmen and undeclared students. Faculty and full-time professional advisors are available for the academic and developmental advising of entering freshmen, transfer freshmen, and all other students who have yet to declare an academic major. Advisors have a working knowledge of the Roanoke College community and assist the student in the exploration of academic, co-curricular, and service goals. Freshman advisors are assigned to entering students during the pre-registration process.

ENTERING FRESHMAN AND TRANSFER STUDENT PRE-REGISTRATION

Beginning in May and continuing through August, the Office of Academic Services will send all new freshmen and transfer students (who have made their advance deposit with the Admissions Office) a packet of pre-registration materials. During a telephone appointment with an academic advisor, new students will be able to pre-register for those courses in which they wish to enroll for the Fall term. The Office of Academic Services facilitates entering students, access to pre-registration materials on the college website. Academic advisors will be available for course advising throughout the pre-registration period. All pre-registered full-time students are expected to attend the College’s orientation program and to finalize the registration process at that time.

SPECIAL STUDENT SERVICES

The Office of Academic Services maintains the documentation of students with diagnosed learning disabilities and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. The staff also notifies faculty members and academic advisors of reasonable accommodations to be made for particular students. Services such as extended-time testing and the tape recording of classes are facilitated by the office.

PEER TUTORING PROGRAM

A centralized peer tutoring program is housed in the Fintel Library. Tutors offer regularly scheduled sessions designed to assist students in improving their grades and developing more effective study habits. Features of the program include training sessions for tutors and ongoing evaluation.

FRESHMAN RETENTION

A recent study shows that approximately 79 percent of full-time freshmen entering in the Fall return in the next Fall. This compares favorably with the national average for four-year private colleges.