The College of Arts and Science expressed a need to electronically manage approximately 10,000 paper files containing notes regarding student advisement. Advising Notes was developed as a web-based notes system where an electronic folder of a student's advising history may be shared among advisors. Security is based on the advisor's department, with additional privileges available to select employees. The system was developed with the intent of expanding it to other colleges in the future.

During Fall 2002, the system was released for campus-wide use. Other enhancements were added during this phase, including an interface with the Advance Registration system to facilitate advisement during the course selection process.