Commission/Interest Group:      Advising Business Majors Commission   

Chair:       Karen Boston, University of Arkansas   

Summary of Annual Meeting at National Conference:

Participants were divided into several working groups from various institutions and discussed issues related to advising business majors. Not only were issues discussed, but an exchange of ideas and programming opportunities emerged. Each group took notes and then presented their discussion during the meeting. Participants were encouraged to continue discussions at the afternoon round table. In addition, participants were encouraged to utilize the information they received and the information they provided to contribute to future conferences in the advising business majors field.

Issues and topics for discussion included:

•  Dealing with oversubscribed programs

•  AACSB and accreditation issues

•  Web development for the Commission

•  Encouraging publications in NACADA newsletter and journal

•  Research on advising business students

•  Brainstorm of possible advising topics for NACADA presentations

•  Career and internship advising

•  Faculty advising

•  MBA and Graduate students

•  Student demand versus little support

•  Innovative curriculum changes and programs

•  Technology

Approximate Number of Commission Members in Attendance:   20-25     

Critical Issues of Concern or "Hot Topics" Identified:

•  Dealing with oversubscribed programs

•  Ratios of students to advisors

•  How advisors balance advising role and other roles?

•  Demand for business classes

•  Demand for faculty resources

•  Faculty advising

•  Models and centers

•  Incentives for Freshmen advisors

•  "How to" and "Do we want to" get faculty involved?

•  Marketing students in a "hard market"

•  Career placement issues

•  Part-time students

•  Full time cooperative education/internship coordinators

•  AACSB

•  New standards and how they impact advising

•  Helping probationary students

•  How to deal with students who cannot "cut it"

•  Efforts for transitional students - "Do you really mean business?"

•  Admissions standards

•  Academic achievement workshops

•  Seminars for business students

•  First Year Experience seminars

•  Student Ambassadors

•  Technology

•  E-Advising

•  Websites

Unit Goals and Objectives for Next Year:

1. Encourage and sponsor programming at the National and Regional conferences.
2. Encourage sharing and sponsoring of materials useful to advising business students.
3. Develop a network of advisors and business students to keep in touch and share information.
4. Help advisors of business students stay abreast of changes in the academic environment as it relates to business students specifically (AICPA, AACSB, etc.).
5. Encourage NACADA to develop relationships with business agencies such as AACSB.

Future Activities Planned:

1. Explore types of advising models in business.
2. Career planning and placement issues for business students
3. Quantify spreadsheet for advising ratios - possible survey for research NACADA groups.
4. Book report for NACADA
5. Presentations at Regional and National NACADA conferences

Volunteer Opportunities:

1. Presentations at Regional and National NACADA conferences
2. Contributions to the NACADA newsletter
3. Hosting commission table at NACADA conferences
4. Future chair positions

Members Serving This Unit: committee members, Disney representative interested in partnerships with business schools