Resources
Advising Services
Advising Services
The BAC offers academic and practice advising, as well as guidance in areas such as general life balance, time management, and effective study skills. Advisors are available to discuss educational plans, concerns about academics and practice, and to provide guidance through the portfolio, thesis, degree project, and progress review processes. All students are required to meet with an academic advisor at least once a year. However, we strongly encourage students to meet once a semester.
Academic Advising
Academic advisors are located in the Practice, Advising and Career Education Center (PACE) on the third floor of 322 Newbury St. and are available by appointment only. Evening appointments are available Monday through Thursday from 5:30 pm-9:00 pm, and daytime hours are available by special arrangement. Appointments may be made at the PACE Center, by calling the general advising line at 617.585.0160 or emailing advising@the-bac.edu. Important: Appointments must be canceled 24 hours in advance
Practice Component Advising
Practice-related advising is handled by the Practice Component Department as well as specific members of the advising staff. For a Skill Level Update, please schedule an appointment with Len Charney, Director of the Practice Component, by calling 617.585.0223 or emailing practice@the-bac.edu. For a general practice-related advising appointment, including help on resume writing and/or the lab search process, please contact either the Practice Component Department at 617.585.0227 or the Advising Department at 617.585.0160.
Disability (Learning and Physical) Advising and Accommodation
The Advising Coordinator, Disability Services provides advising for students with learning disabilities, psychiatric disabilities and physical impairments. Contact Rory Stein at 617.585.0159 or via email at rory.stein@the-bac.edu to discuss disability related issues or accommodations. Students requesting accommodations should contact the Advising Coordinator, Disability Services upon entrance to the BAC or as soon as possible.
The BAC offers reasonable accommodations to students who otherwise cannot reach their academic potential due to a learning disability, physical impairment, medical/psychological condition, or unforeseen circumstances that may arise during the course of their studies. All forms of accommodation are tailored specifically to the individual student and meet guidelines for educational benefit and academic consistency. Accommodations will be made only in a manner which maintains the integrity of required learning objectives. Due to the lead time necessary to process requests, students are strongly advised to contact the Advising Coordinator, Disability Services regarding the potential need for accommodation at least a half semester in advance of registration (one semester in advance if there is a request for alternative media).
Referral Assistance for Outside Services
Although the BAC does not provide mental health counseling (i.e. for stress, depression, addiction, etc) or testing services for learning disabilities, the Director of Advising can make referrals to local organizations that can be of assistance in these areas. Please contact the Director of Advising at 617.585.0259.
Mid-semester Warnings
Instructors are asked to fill out a warning form for students who by mid-semester are not performing up to expectations for a particular course. The instructor may also recommend specific steps to be taken. A copy of the mid-semester warning is kept in the student's file, and the original is mailed directly to the student. Students who receive mid-semester warnings are urged to seek out academic advising to assist in successfully completing the course.
Mentoring @ The BAC
The BAC has reintroduced its mentoring program, pairing students with practicing professionals, BAC faculty and staff, and/or advanced students for informal meetings and discussions about the BAC, design, and life in general. To inquire about becoming part of the mentoring program, please email mentoring@the-bac.edu.
Academic Support Services
The BAC Learning Resource Center (LRC) provides a range of tutoring and writing consultation services that can help you with your studies. Sessions are available on both a drop-in and by-appointment bases. At present, services include: Writing and Research consultations, Structures I & II tutoring, Math and Physics tutoring, CAD tutoring (call for availability), and Materials & Methods I tutoring. If you need a tutor for a course not mentioned, please contact the LRC to see what is available. Direct inquiries to 617.585.0174, or email to learningcenter@the-bac.edu.
M.Arch