Undergraduate Student Government’s idea to have academic advisers in each department at SIUC would be a major aid in helping students get through college without the hassle of finding their own schedules. But just hiring more people is not enough.

Both USG and the University must take steps to ensure that the new advisers understand the majors they are guiding students through.

Currently, students complain that advisers lead them into traps or ruin their chances of getting the classes they want. Some even complain that advisers kept them from graduating on time. Students also complain that advisers are never available. If this new program is to be instituted, it could help greatly in the availability of advisers for consultation.

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USG Vice President Megan Moore said the whole goal of the plan is to put the power of shaping students’ college careers into advisers’ hands. USG and the administration must be certain the new advisers are knowledgeable in how their departments work. If the advisers are well-informed and have the knowledge to correctly instruct students, they will be a definite asset to the University.

But if the advisers are just hired to punch numbers into computers from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and do not learn what is necessary to complete degree requirements, the current problems and student headaches will only grow larger.

Advisers also need to be in touch with their departments and understand how they function. Advisers must be willing to work with students’ schedules, and try their best to get the classes students need, working with what is available.

It is up to USG and the administration to make this idea, which is good in theory, good in practice. They need to examine it from all angles and find out what will best serve the students. If done properly, the nightmare of advisement could be nearly over.