University Peer Advising Link

Club Description

ULink, or the University Peer Advising Link, is a student-run organization that offers academic peer advising to incoming first year students in order to supplement the current academic advising system.Who:ULink is comprised of students from the College of Arts and Sciences (CLAS), the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), the Curry School of Education, and the Nursing School. ULink is currently run through Student Council and receives guidance from the Provost’s Office.Structure:ULink is divided into three parts: the executive board, the advisors, and the advisees. The Executive Board, consisting of two Co-Chairs, five Vice-Chairs and five Coordinators help structure training and events for advisors and advisees. Currently, there are about 100 advisors from the four schools, consisting of second, third, and fourth years. They meet with approximately 400 first year advisees. Each advisor has between two to six advisees, depending on the school.When:ULink operates year round. ULink advisors and advisees are matched in June/July, and remotely work over the summer. They then meet in person four times throughout the year: before the add/drop deadline (September and late January), and before the course enrollment period each semester (November and April). In addition, advisors and advisees are encouraged to communicate (in person, through e-mail, or via phone) outside of these meetings. School coordinators arrange events throughout the semester designed to enrich advisors’ and advisees’ knowledge of U.Va., working with organizations like the University Career Services to ensure that all ULink participants feel comfortable accessing U.Va’s ample resources.