Families of Current Students

College is an exciting, but sometimes confusing, time of life. Students may feel an increased need for guidance and support. This is one reason Grand View  University provides every student an academic advisor.

The academic advisor is a valuable resource and can offer assistance in:
• Choosing necessary courses and planning class schedules
• Assessing academic needs and referring students to available resources
• Making decisions for long-term goals.

Enhance the Advising Experience
Students' participation in the advising process will directly impact their  advising experience. They can enhance their advising experience by:
• Meeting the advisor and getting acquainted early in the first semester
• Discussing goals and raising questions or concerns
• Becoming familiar with the general education requirements and major requirements
• Visiting with the advisor when they experience academic difficulty
• Consulting with the advisor if they would like to change a plan of study, course schedule, or major.

Faculty Advising Model
Faculty members serve as academic advisors. First-year students are assigned to their New Student Seminar instructor; this allows for a closer advisor-advisee connection during the first year. Upper-class students are typically assigned an advisor based on their major; this provides the opportunity to learn from the faculty’s expert knowledge in the field of study and the major curriculum. Students who have not yet declared a major will be connected to a faculty member who can provide guidance in selecting a major. Once a major is declared, a faculty member in the major area will be identified to serve as the academic advisor.

Academic Advising Center
Students are also welcome to visit the Academic Advising Center, conveniently located in the Student Center. The Academic Advising Center is staffed with professionals who can provide support, answer questions and provide assistance when the academic advisor is not available.

Questions?
Please contact the Academic Advising Center staff:

	Cathy Brent Director of Student Success Student Center, Room 203 cbrent@grandview.edu 515-263-2860
	Wendy Fedler Associate Director of Student Success Student Center, Room 205 wfedler@grandview.edu 515-263-6118
	Tara Mattiussi Academic Advisor tmattiussi@grandview.edu 515-263-6011

Regular office hours during the academic year: Monday–Friday, 8:15 a.m.– 4:30 p.m.
Summer hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.– 4:00 pm.

The Academic Enrichment Center provides tools to assist students in reaching their academic goals.  Contact Joy Brandt at 515-263-2971 or jbrandt@grandview.edu  for more information about these services.

• Tutoring – Receive assistance with specific classwork.
  How does a student get a tutor? (online form)
  How does a student become a tutor? (printable form)
   
• Time Management – Students can work to establish a healthier lifestyle, develop a personal plan of action for managing time more effectively to get the most out of recreation, work and relationships.
   
• Test Taking – Students can improve test-taking skills and grades,  learn different strategies for maximizing performance on different types of tests, and specific techniques for various content areas. Individual or group workshops can be scheduled.
   
• Learning Skills – See below for more information
   
• Math Lab – See below for more information
   
• Writing Center – See below for more information

Grand View is committed to enriching the academic experience of every qualified student and endorses reasonable accommodations for participation in all programs and activities. Students with disabilities should schedule an appointment in the Academic Enrichment Center to:

• review university policies and procedures
• request accommodations
• develop an accommodation plan
• discuss personal advocacy issues
• assess learning difficulties and needs

Transitioning Accommodations from High School to College:
If a student  has been receiving accommodations in high school and would like to continue using them at the college level, the student will need to complete the Support for Accommodation Request form (SAR) to determine which accommodations may continue. This should be completed by a school professional who knows the student and has access to  accommodation records. If you have any questions about completing this form, please contact:

Joy Brandt
Associate Director of Student Success: Academic Support and Disability Services
Student Center, Room 201
Phone: 515-263-2971

E-mail: jbrandt@grandview.edu

Students can drop into the Math Lab and get help with freshman, sophomore, and selected upper level math courses. Professional and peer tutors provide individual instruction for all students. Students may seek assistance on their own or be referred by faculty members or advisors. Computers are available for additional practice and combine with alternative instruction to balance the traditional classroom learning environment.

Located in the Elings Science and Classroom Building, Room 201

Additional individual tutoring is available by contacting Carolyn Wassenaar at 515-263-2971.

The primary objective of the Writing Center is to talk with writers at any stage of the writing process in a welcoming environment.  Students may be referred by their instructors or may schedule themselves, and walk-ins are welcome!

Writing Center Location & Hours
Rasmussen, Room 205

Sunday: 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Monday: 10 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Wednesday: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Thursday: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Writing Center Services
Drop-In Writing Tutorials: These tutorials are offered on a drop-in basis in the Writing Center and last for 30 minutes.  During these tutorials, tutors can talk with students about any aspect of a writing assignment for any course offered at Grand View.  In a 30-minute tutorial, students should expect to go over 4-5 pages of writing with a tutor.

Scheduled Writing Tutorials:  Students can make an appointment for a tutorial either online or by phone at 515-263-2855. 

Grammar Hotline: For a quick question regarding grammar or the writing process, contact the Writing Center’s Grammar Hotline, at writingcenter@grandview.edu  or 515-263-2855.  Our tutors will be happy to answer quick questions, when they are not tutoring, or will work to find the answer.

Workshops: The Writing Center offers workshops for students and faculty.  These workshops address everything from starting the writing process to correctly documenting your sources. Workshops will be advertised with plenty of advance notice.  Students can enroll in a workshop through email at writingcenter@grandview.edu or by phone at 515-263-2855. 

Resources: Handouts of quick references to parts of speech and various aspects of the writing process are available in the Writing Center.

Evidence of a visit for an instructor: Our tutors can provide evidence of tutorial for your instructor (in the form of a “blue card”), so that an instructor is aware of a student visit.

For more information about the Writing Center, contact Dr. Alison Bright, writing center director, at abright@grandview.edu.

Additional individual tutoring is available by contacting Carolyn Wassenaar at 515-263-2971.