(Decision of the Assembly of the School of Political Sciences, No. 230/4-4-2023)
Article 1: Purpose and Scope
1.1. The present Regulation defines the institution and duties of the Academic Advisor within the School of Political Sciences of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
The purpose of this institution is to provide specialised support to students of the School on matters such as academic orientation, academic performance, and career goals.
At the same time, it ensures that students of the School have access to alternative advisory resources.
1.2. This Regulation seeks to ensure that the Academic Advisors of the School of Political Sciences provide high-quality guidance to students and are held accountable for their performance and professional conduct.
1.3. This Regulation on the Academic Advisor applies to students of the School in all three cycles of study.
1.4. Each Postgraduate Programme of the School, or one in which the School serves as the coordinating unit, may, if it so decides and by decision of its governing body, appoint a separate Academic Advisor for that specific Programme and its students, in accordance with the provisions set out below.
1.5. This Regulation does not cover specific advisory services for international exchange programmes, particularly the Erasmus+ programme and the internship placement scheme.
Article 2: Appointment of the Academic Advisor
Each academic year, and at the first Assembly meeting following the beginning of the academic year, the School shall appoint at least one member of the Teaching and Research Staff (DEP) or Laboratory Teaching Staff (EDIP) as Academic Advisor for each of the four regular years of study, one member of the DEP or EDIP for each Postgraduate Programme, and one member of the DEP for the third cycle of studies (doctoral level).
The appointment shall take into account criteria such as qualifications, experience, and workload.
Article 3: Duties of the Academic Advisor
3.1. The Academic Advisor provides guidance to students regarding course selection, requirements for the award of a degree or other academic qualification, and career planning.
The Advisor shall keep a record of advisory meetings with students and regularly inform the governing bodies of the School about the issues raised by students.
3.2. The Academic Advisor shall be accessible to students by establishing regular weekly office hours and providing alternative means of communication (such as email or videoconference).
Office hours and alternative contact methods shall be published on the School’s website and updated promptly in the event of any change.
3.3. In addition to meetings initiated by students, the Academic Advisor shall monitor the academic progress of students and may proactively invite them to a special meeting if difficulties in academic performance are identified, in order to offer support and guidance for improvement.
By decision of the Assembly of the School and/or the governing bodies of Postgraduate Programmes, Academic Advisors may organise special group meetings with students at the beginning of each academic semester.
Article 4: Training and Professional Development
The School shall give priority to providing Academic Advisors with opportunities for further training, continuous education, and professional development through international cooperation programmes in which it participates, in order to enhance their awareness of current policies, practices, and research related to academic advising at an international level.
Article 5: Evaluation and Feedback
5.1. The School shall establish a procedure for evaluating the performance of Academic Advisors.
This procedure shall include annual feedback from students, teaching staff, and other stakeholders, taking into account criteria such as student satisfaction, effectiveness of advisory support, and compliance with the School’s policies and procedures.
5.2. At the end of each academic year, the School shall distribute to all involved parties (teaching staff, students, and administrative personnel) a questionnaire — which may be linked to the general evaluation questionnaire on the School’s courses and infrastructure — assessing the performance and operation of the Academic Advisor institution.
5.3. Responsibility for drafting the above questionnaire lies with the School’s Quality Assurance Committee (OMEA).
Article 6: Confidentiality and Ethics
6.1. Academic Advisors shall comply with the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki’s rules on confidentiality and professional ethics, including requirements to maintain the confidentiality of student information, avoid conflicts of interest, and adhere to a code of ethical conduct.
Article 7: Academic Advisors in Postgraduate Programmes
7.1. If the governing body of a Postgraduate Programme chooses to appoint a separate Academic Advisor for its students, in accordance with Article 1.4 above, it shall promptly inform the Assembly of the School of the appointment.
From the moment a Postgraduate Programme appoints its own Academic Advisor, the authority of the School’s Academic Advisor over the students of that Programme ceases.
7.2. The Academic Advisor of a Postgraduate Programme must be a teaching member of that Programme.
7.3. The duties, term, training and evaluation procedures, and confidentiality and ethics rules of a Postgraduate Programme’s Academic Advisor shall be consistent with those set out in this Regulation, mutatis mutandis.
7.4. If, for any reason, the governing body of a Postgraduate Programme does not appoint an Academic Advisor for a given academic year, the role shall be assumed by the Academic Advisor of the School.
Article 8: Entry into Force
8.1. This Regulation enters into force following its approval by the Assembly of the School.
8.2. This Regulation shall be automatically adjusted to comply with any contrary provisions established by a corresponding regulation adopted by the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.