The Department of English and AmericanLiterature and Language, which still maintainsstudent involvement via its Undergraduate SteeringCommittee, may serve as a model for otherdepartments.

The committee consists of two undergraduatesand Faculty members who meet regularly and reviewstudent questions, petitions and suggestions forimprovements of the concentration, among its otherduties, according to Werner Sollors, director ofundergraduate studies.

But the senior surveys indicate that studentinvolvement in department administration does notnecessarily translate into good advising. Despitethe department's relatively good record on keepingundergraduates involved, the English department'sadvising system received low ratings, ranking 36thout of 38 concentrations on the 1998 seniorsurvey.

In addition, the committee made severalproposals aimed at keeping Faculty members betterinformed about the requirements and regulations oftheir department and the College. The Committeealso proposed a focus on advising in the regularreviews by the Educational Policy Committee ofeach department and the allocation of some fundsfor improving advising systems in certaindepartments.

Bigger Isn't Always Better

The senior surveys indicated that it was mostlythe large concentrations--such as economics--thatleft students dissatisfied with their advising,whereas smaller concentrations generally leftstudents feeling well-mentored.

For example, the Economics department--theperennially largest concentration at theCollege--ranked near the bottom on most 1997senior survey responses on advising and rated 35thout of 38 concentrations for advising on the 1998senior survey.

Yet, according to the director of undergraduatestudies, they are not considering ways to improvetheir advising.

"We have no plans to rework the system," Footesaid.

Concentrations administered bydegree-conferring committees rather than academicdepartments earned generally higher approvalratings from the classes of 1997 and 1998. Of theconcentrations ranked in the top five by the classof 1998, four--women's studies, literature,folklore and mythology and religion--are committeeconcentrations, which tend to be smaller thantheir departmental counterparts.

Some concentrations went against the trend,however. Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations,a small department, got poor marks on questionssuch as satisfaction with academic and personaladvice, while students praised the largerDepartment of Biochemistry on the survey.

"One of the things that the data show is thatsome programs do an excellent job with advising,even some large programs," Lewis said.

It may not be the size of the concentration,but the priority the Faculty and department placeon advising that leads to good advising.

"What is essential, in my opinion, isprioritizing the role of the adviser within theconcentration and ensuring ample and, again,consistent opportunity for advising conversationsof all kinds," said Sandra A. Naddaff '75,director of studies in the literatureconcentration.

Dean of the Faculty Jeremy R. Knowles agreesthat it is the involvement of the Faculty thatmakes or breaks the advising system.