BYU–Hawaii has recently introduced a change in the academic advisory system for the fall semester with the creation of three new advisory centers. These centers are open 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily to all students, regardless of major, and they boast a flexible 'walk-ins are welcome' schedule.
"The main reason for the new centers is so that we [advisors] will be available to students more readily," said Marilee Ching, academic advisor manager and advisor in the College of Human Development. "It will be a big advantage to the students,” she added.
The new centers are located in the College of Human Development (SEB 106), Colleges of Language, Culture & Arts and Math & Sciences (MCK 173) and the College of Business, Computing, and Government (GCB 143).
The three centers have advisors cross-trained in different majors to help a broad spectrum of students. Noted Ching, "Students are welcome to see a certain advisor if they have a preference, but if they do not want to wait, they can see another advisor from one of the centers who will have access to their MAP and files. The advisors will have a file on each individual student, so they can pull up the student’s background and provide academic assistance."
The new advisory system will include a total of nine advisors (pictured above right): Marilee Ching and Martha Christensen (SEB 106), Karen Miller, Betty Nikora and Patrice Winstead (MCK 173), Hi'i Campbell, Charity Fonoimoana and Susan Wesley (GCB 143) and Jodi Chowen (Career Center). At least one advisor will be present in each center during the day—and always ready to help.