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NewsvineFeedback has been positive for a pilot program that replaced Head Peer Academic Coordinators (HPACs) in some undergraduate dorms with other forms of advising, according to a recent study reported by Undergraduate Advising and Research (UAR) Director Susie Brubaker-Cole.
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The pilot program, new this year, removed the HPAC position from Florence Moore, Toyon, Larkin, Burbank and Donner dorms, handing the job of residential academic advising to academic directors (ADs) or an additional residential assistant (RA).
“Results of this study showed that ADs provide information and guidance to an especially broad range of topics and issues and that students find that ADs are able to advise on more diverse topics in a single meeting than other types of advisors with whom students interact,” Brubaker-Cole said in an email to The Daily.
Academic Directors have offices in the dorm complexes, opening their doors to students with questions ranging from curricular planning and overseas study possibilities to fellowships and opportunities after Stanford. This year, there are Academic Directors in Wilbur, Stern, Florence Moore and Toyon, as well as the Athletics Academic Resource Center.
Student feedback was solicited in a series of December and January student surveys and focus groups evaluating the changes to residence-based academic advising.
According to Brubaker-Cole, surveyed students appreciate the easy accessibility of the ADs as well as the interest these advisors take in helping students with long-term planning.
The steering of undergraduates away from peer-to-peer advising came in part because of a report in Stanford’s last accreditation review that recommended reforming the current system, Brubaker-Cole said. In a May 9, 2007 Daily article [“HPACs on razor’s edge”], she said incidences of peer advisors misdirecting or not referring students to other academic advisors had carried serious consequences for some students.
Still, for some students, HPACs continue to be a valuable resource. Soto’s HPAC Olivia Puerta ‘08 defended her position.
“I think an HPAC can be more helpful because you’ve been in the same position as the student,” she said, adding that seeking outside advice was also critical. “I think the [administration’s] move is to encourage more students to go directly to an academic advisor in Sweet Hall, but I think the HPAC can be a valuable resource to refer them that direction.”
Milan Manchandia ‘11 agreed.
“I find her really helpful,” he said of his HPAC in Twain. “I’ve used her a lot. I find it easier to learn from peers.”
But for several Larkin freshmen who have never experienced the resources of an HPAC, the absence is no real loss. Carlos Plasencia ‘11 was not even aware of the HPAC position in other dorms and saw no need for it.
“You could go to the RAs with those kinds of questions,” Plasencia said of peer academic advising.
Brubaker-Cole said the pilot program will stay in place for at least another year, as it is still too soon to judge its overall outcome.
“The plan is to assess the current program and changes to date over the next 12 months, Brubaker-Cole said, “and to use the assessment information to inform future directions.”