California State University, Los Angeles

Latin American Studies Program Advisement Plan

Mission Statement

            The mission of the Latin American Studies Program at CalStateLA is to prepare our students to understand Latin America in all of its complexity – environmental, historical, political, social, and cultural, and to understand the interrelationships between Latin America and the rest of the world. The program strives to provide students with the analytic and academic skills that will enable their success and continued intellectual growth throughout life, whether through graduate training or entering the workplace. The program is dedicated to increasing students’ understanding of diversity in Latin America and among Latin American populations in the United States. In addition, the program aims to contribute to our growing understanding of the important links between Latin America and the United States and to engage local Latin American populations and our students in mutually-beneficial partnerships.

          The program is dedicated to fulfilling the College’s and the University’s commitment to academic excellence, free scholarly inquiry, and community service. The program actively promotes appreciation of diversity abroad and at home. In promoting a global perspective on the Americas, we are honoring the University’s pledge to serve a global community.

Contact Information

      Program Office Location             King Hall C3095

     Phone Number   (323) 343-2180

      E-mail                las@calstatela.edu                              

      Office Hours       Mon-Thurs*         8:00 am-6:00 pm

                                Fri                      8:00 am-5:00 pm

Seeing an Advisor

Advising appointments are strongly encouraged.

1. Appointments may be made by calling the Latin American Studies Program at (323) 343-2180 or contact us by email at las@calstatela.edu. You may also contact the Acting Director of Latin American Studies directly at bbakerc@calstatela.edu.
2. Cancellations - if you know you will not be able to keep your appointment, please call the office as soon as possible to cancel or reschedule.
3. Your appointment may be cancelled if you are 10 minutes late.

Walk-Ins are seen based upon the availability of an advisor on a first come first serve basis.

Preparing for Your Advisement Session

1. If you have questions about general education requirements or general education course selection, you may seek advisement from the University Academic Advisement Center in the John F. Kennedy Memorial Library – Palmer Wing, Room 1040A; phone (323) 343-3150; email aac@calstatela.edu.
2. If you are meeting with an advisor to talk about university policies, procedures, or requirements, do your homework first by reviewing the information provided in the catalog or on the web at www.calstatela.edu.

1. If you are experiencing academic problems, give some thought to what you believe are causing these problems and have a tentative plan for solving them.  The advisor will discuss your situation with you and identify some interventions and strategies for success.  The advisor will want to monitor your progress and have you return for a follow up meeting.
2. If you wish to discuss your academic plan please review your Unofficial Transcript from your GET account and bring a list of questions/concerns to the advisement session.  If your transcripts have not been evaluated in GET, bring copies of those transcripts.  (We are NOT the official evaluators for the University.)
3. Plan ahead in order to make your time with an advisor more productive.

Expectations of Students

1. See an advisor on a regular basis.
2. Check your CSULA email regularly.  This is the official means of communication used by the University.  (You can find step-by-step instructions to forward your CSULA email to your personal account at the following link: /sites/default/files/its/docs/pdf/forwarding_emails.pdf.)
3. Make and be responsible for your own decisions.
4. Know the requirements for staying in good standing.
5. Maintain accurate and complete advising records.

Expectations of Advisors

1. Review the students’ selection of classes to make sure courses are appropriate.
2. Help the student develop strategies for academic success.
3. Provide information regarding program requirements, policies & procedures.
4. Help the student plan appropriate steps to correct academic difficulties.
5. Maintain accurate and complete advising records.
6. If needed, refer the student to appropriate campus resources.

Expected Student Learning Outcomes

1. Students will understand their personal responsibility for their own academic, personal, and professional success.
2. Students will have an awareness of how to utilize the necessary information, resources, and available options to make sound educational and lifelong decisions.
3. Students will understand what they need to do to achieve their desired goals.

Key Considerations for Academic Success

1.    Go to class every day and get to know your professors. 

2. Understand the policies, procedures, and impact academically and financially for dropping classes within or beyond the no record drop period.
3. Balance school with other areas of your life.  Plan and devote enough study time to do as well as you can in your classes.
4. Have good study habits and get academic assistance early if needed.

Advising and University Resources

For information regarding other campus resources such as the Career Development Center, Testing Center, Tutorial Center, and Writing Center go to the UAAC website: www.calstatela.edu/univ/advise.