Each post-secondary institution that is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC; see Sec. 2.5.) is required to develop a Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) every ten years. Each institution is asked to examine key issues that are emerging on campus and have to do with student learning in the context of the institution’s mission. The institution then develops goals to address one or more such issues as a way of improving the academic life of the college or university. Institutions must also show that they have the means to implement and assess the effectiveness of the components of their plan, making use of broad-based campus resources and constituencies.

Oglethorpe was approved by its SACSCOC (see Sec. 2.5.) on-site accreditation team to proceed with its 2017 plan focused on holistic advising. This program, originally called Compass, is designed to give entering TU students a comprehensive and engaging advising process.

Through the first year seminar (FYS) experience, students now have a mentor who will guide them through their first year. Students are encouraged through this model to intentionally consider how what they do in and out of the classroom affects their lives after college. Oglethorpe admits a wide variety of students; some of them are more college-ready than others. We believe that all students, regardless of preparation, benefit from holistic advising that pays attention to multiple variables that influence how our students discover success.

In addition, Oglethorpe expects its advisors and FYS mentors to get to know their students and work with them throughout the first year to augment what they do well and improve on areas of concern. Students participate in academic advising through a collaborative educational process in which students and their advisors are partners in meeting the essential learning outcomes, ensuring student academic success, and outlining the steps for achievement of the student’s personal, academic and career goals. (See Sec. 10.1.).