Students and administrators agree that UNM's academic advisement system is flawed, but few students showed up to Tuesday's advisement forum in the SUB.
Sophomore Alison Gaik, one of about 35 students at the forum, said she wished more students were willing to express their opinions.
"I don't think this helped much. I think it could have been more of a forum for students," she said.
GPSA President Christopher Ramirez said student surveys will be available online soon so that students can voice their concerns in a less public setting.
Students who spoke up said UNM's graduate advisement needs attention.
"There is such a low amount of advisers in each graduate department, I have a really difficult time making an appointment. The only time I can get an appointment is three months out," said Renee Delgado, a graduate student in educational psychology.
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Adviser availability for graduate and professional students can be difficult because many are non-traditional students, Ramirez said.
"Some students are not here during the business hours of the University and find it difficult to access the resources," he said.
Another issue on students' minds was the lack of communication between colleges.
"We split advisement up and do not look at the links or the steps that need to be taken between the programs," senior Sarah Nezzer said.
Students filled out comment cards during the event, and many said advisers should be more familiar with academic requirements for individual programs and work to put students on the most efficient path to graduation.
Many faculty and staff attended the meeting and were disappointed with the student turnout.
"I think a lot more students had concerns than what was expressed here," said Richard Howell, interim dean for the College of Education. "I have a deep desire to reach some resolution to these problems."
Sophomore Katie DeLouise said the forum would have been better if staff from the advisement center had voiced their thoughts as well.
GPSA member Chriselle Martinez said she is hopeful that the forum will help find a solution to these problems.
"I thought this was a good first step. It will really get the word out so people have it on their minds," she said. "I think our administration is very apt to listen to what students want. I think this will reach them."
