I was stunned to read the article of “Advising Concerns of WSC Students” in last week’s Wayne Stater. Since I am Brooklynn’s advisor, the article, as written, was about me. Unfortunately, this article was a product of hasty generalizations, misinformation, and the misrepresentation of a student’s words. As a WSC faculty member, an advisor, and particularly an advisor to Brooklynn, I have a duty to respond.

One of the great joys of teaching at Wayne State is that we get to know our students. Therefore, in our classrooms, teaching becomes advising and advising becomes teaching. The two concepts are interconnected, not separate. It happens in our daily communication with our students, not just during the “advising season.”

However, during the time of advising, faculty have the opportunity to visit one-on-one with our students. Here, the students take the lead as to how much advising they want. Some don’t want much, others do. Also, at WSC, students have the freedom to choose their advisor. Yes, perhaps they have an initial assignment, but a student may, at any time, decide to switch advisors by simply visiting the window at Records and Registration in Hahn and informing the staff of such. This makes our system work well.

Most of us remember a teacher/advisor whom we admired and emulate. That’s why we teach and advise now. For me, it was Dr. Jack Kay, who taught at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in the Communication Studies program. He was my advisor throughout my MA program. One day, in class, Dr. Kay shared a journal article entitled “Rhetoric and Advising” by Karl Wallace written in 1964 which is still relevant today. In it, Dr. Wallace presents an advising model based on ethical communication. Dr. Kay, a student of Dr. Wallace, emulated the model. In turn, we learned from his example.

Dr. Kay was a brilliant and thoughtful individual. He pushed and challenged us. He expected our best efforts. When advocacy/advising was needed, he was there for us. His door was open and he was always ready to listen. He is not unlike the faculty at WSC. I observe dedicated and highly engaged teachers who work countless hours with students outside of the classroom as faculty advisors and as student club advisors. We advise because that is part and parcel of our teaching, and it is especially rooted in the culture and tradition of Wayne State College. We take our job as advisors seriously. I look forward to the discussion of advising on our campus. However, let’s get the facts straight. Let us not be misinformed and/or misrepresented.

Brooklynn, I have a message for you as a valued student and advisee. I know you have been emotionally suffering this week. Please do not feel badly anymore, but actually be proud. Your misrepresented remarks are now at the very heart of this discussion. In the end, we have an obligation to get it right for WSC, faculty, advising and advisees. I have no doubt we will.