Advising

The Department of Communication Studies utilizes a central adviser system. Within this system, nearly every communications major has the same adviser, Leigh Bryan.

Office: Coleman Hall 1827
Telephone: 217.581.8400
Email: labryan@eiu.edu

Schedule a Meeting

You can sign up on the appointment sheets, located on the black bulletin board outside the central adviser’s office. Time slots are 15 minutes long, and you can sign up for multiple appointments or schedule additional appointments if you have extra questions.

Preparation for the Meeting

You must bring a current degree audit to your appointment. You should print an up-to-date audit from the current term or it will make advising confusing and time consuming. Here’s how you print a degree audit:

  1. Log in to PAWS as a student.
  2. From the Main Menu, select "Student."
  3. From the Student Menu, select "Student Records"
  4. From the Student Records Menu, select "Degree Audit Reporting System."
  5. Click on "Submit an Audit."
  6. For Select Degree Program, choose "Latest (all)" and "List All Requirements", then click "Run Audit."
  7. Choose "View Submitted Audits."  If your name does not appear on the list, wait a few seconds and click "Refresh List."
  8. Once your name appears, select your audit and click on "View a Printer Friendly Report." This is the report you should print and bring to your advisement appointment.

You should also bring a list of classes you would like to take during the next semester, plus any questions you have regarding major/minor/graduation etc.

Meeting with Adviser

Be on time and do not skip your appointment. To cancel your advising appointment, provide at least one hour notice via e-mail. This way, other students can have your time slot. If you are late for your appointment and another student stops by, that other student takes the appointment.

Your adviser will check to see if you have any holds on your record. Holds on your record will prevent you from being able to register. Advisers usually cannot clear your holds, but can direct you to the appropriate office.

Your adviser will complete a scheduling worksheet, which contains a proposed schedule and any notes on which you need to follow up. You will need to sign the form; you will receive one copy, while another copy will be placed in your file.

Be sure to ask any and all questions you have, or make another appointment to get them answered. During the appointment, you will receive a personal identification number (PIN) you must enter into the computer system during registration. We recommend you enter your PIN as a contact in your cell phone so that you won’t forget it.