The History of CAN

In the Fall of 2000, a group of academic advisors representing all areas of the University began meeting to brainstorm ways to improve the dissemination of advisement information on campus.  One of the ideas which emerged from these discussions was to form the Campus Advising Network (CAN) to facilitate communication among academic advisors, particularly in regard to changes in curriculum and academic policies.  The original steering committee, Kathy Hussey (CEPS), John Kilgore (CAH), Barb Kuykendall (Certifying Deans), Fraun Lewis (Professional Advisors), Andy Methven (COS), and Betsy Miller (CBAS), set out to establish a community of academic advisors which emphasizes professionalism and service to students at Eastern.  The steering committee has grown and now includes a student representative, Ronnie Deedrick.

In principle the Network includes all academic advisors at EIU.  More particularly, the membership consists of Contact Advisors, volunteers within each academic unit who serve as resource people, mentors to new advisors, and liaisons to the Steering Committee.  Steering Committee members all double as Contact Advisors.  Standing committees on Communication, Training, and Technology serve yearly terms, with chairs and members appointed by the Chair of the CAN Steering Committee.  Members are very welcome to volunteer for service on any of the CAN committees or subcommittees.

In March, 2001, the Network was launched in the first general meeting, attended by some fifty advisors.  In September, the Training and Technology committees conducted day-long training sessions for new advisors, with special attention to computer concerns, and advisor coffees devoted to news, review, and discussion.  A forum for the Contact Advisors was held in November.  Since February, the Communications committee has brought out thirteen "Advisorgrams" (see links at top left), e-mail newsletters designed to provide EIU advisors with important and timely information.  In addition, CAN has represented the views of academic advisors to the administration, consulting with Academic Affairs on such matters as the proposed 2-year Catalog cycle and the new EIU4 Program.

CAN plans yearly meetings of Contact Advisors in the fall, and of the general membership in the spring; yearly training sessions and advisor coffees each fall; publication of at least 4 Advisorgrams per year; monthly meetings of the Steering Committee; and other meetings and events as the need arises.

**CAN Photo Collection of Past Events**