Recently, my school eliminated all positions but the director, in the Student Services Department. Each program chair in academics was then required to identify one or more menbers of the faculty to take on the role of "Academic Advisor" These advisors are required to perform the tasks which used to be managed by members of the student services department. While I definitely understand the thought process behind giving the students a person to go to who is a member of their faculty, and theoretically, this person will be their advisor for the student's entire time at school, this can and does present a couple of issues. Faculty members are specialists in the knowledge areas for which they teach. Teachers are a student's contact point in the classroom. Often times an instructor becomes an authority figure in the classroom, and this carries over to outside the classroom as well. A person in the role of Academic Advisor needs to be able to be a friend and confident, as well as an authoritarian. When a student goes to student services to discuss a problem or issue they are having, they want to be able to talk to someone wh can come down to their level. In order to maintain proper classroom conditions, an instructor can not do this! It can weaken the dynamic of the classroom. Another point to consider is that when a student goes to student services to discuss something, they want to feel that they are going to someone who's job and responsibility it is to help and handle the students issues. All students know that when instructors take on the role of academic advisor, it is an "extra" duty on top of their regular job requirements. They tend to not see the same level of expertise in an instructor performing the role of advisor, as they would in someone who is an employee of the student services department. Now, my school has had some really good results as a result of this change. I personnally feel that this is due to the dedication level of the particular instructors who are doing the job. The instructors chosen have been the type who would do anything to ensure that the students are properly and effectively taken care of. (Sometimes at the cost of classroom time, and DEFINITELY at the cost of their own personal time!!!) I am presenting this posting for two reasons. First, I feel it is important for any school concerned with retention to try alternative methods of reaching the students. Even if it does mean more involvement by the instructors. But second, I think that a Dedicated, specific staff of student services employees can provide a level of confidence to any student who comes to see them with an issue or a problem. Thank you.