Quick overview of what we do at the Tutoring Center

1. Quick overview of what we do at the Tutoring Center Pam Cross, Writing Center Coordinator

2. Please come visit us in person for a quick tour. The Tutoring Center—both Writing and Math—is located in lower J-wing, the J-105 suite. Come visit! Besides large rooms for group and one-on-one tutoring, we now have a 16-unit computer lab and an area set aside for private tutoring for any students who—for a variety of reasons—would benefit from an environment free of distractions. This is big. Come check us out! We’re open in J-105 M-Th 9:00 – 6:00 p.m. and on Fridays until 4:00 p.m. Come after this session if you like and get the grand tour.

3. Plus! Through a partnership with Residential Life, we also offer tutoring in the evenings at the Townsend Residential Life Center (TRLC). Both math and writing tutors are available Sunday through Thursday evenings from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. We are located in the TRLC in the meeting room next to the computer lab. While aimed primarily at first-year students living on campus, this tutoring is open to all students. Please get on your students to take advantage, please.

4. Plus! A Writing Tutor will be in the Library on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings from 6:00 – 9:00 to help with research-related writing questions. This is part of the Learning Commons initiative located in space that was part of the Periodical Room.

5. How to work with a tutor at the Writing Center Students may come in at any phase of the writing process, but should have a copy of the assignment with them. Tutors may help students understand the parameters of the assignment, prepare a plan or outline, look over a first draft, or assist with editing and proofreading. The Center runs on a drop-in basis, and tutoring sessions typically last about 40 minutes. Students should expect to take an active part in the session. We cringe over language such as “I want to have my paper checked” or “Could someone proofread my paper?”

6. Part of an email I’m sending out next week to faculty Please encourage students to work with tutors early in the process. It’s much easier to help a student construct a good paper than try to fix a faulty one. I believe just about all of our students are worth saving; I often feel differently about their texts. Please remind students that our goal is to help them become better writers, thinkers, and self-editors. Sometimes students expect tutors to edit and proofread for them, which of course may improve a text but fails to help them improve their own skills. Please let students know that we have a peer-tutoring operation staffed by undergraduate students. Tell students they should bring any papers you have returned to them, so tutors will see your feedback.

7. Got a student who worries you academically? Give me a call or email. I can do an intake of sorts with the student. Maybe the student is just a knucklehead* and needs to know that her/his work was so shoddy the professor reached out to me. Maybe the student really is struggling and needs to work regularly with a tutor. Maybe the student would benefit from the LAP. * term used affectionately

8. The Math Center The Math Center provides tutoring for a wide range of Q1 and Q2 courses. We welcome students from all level classes, Basic Studies to senior seminars. Students can drop in to ask quick question about a problem on their homework, or they can stay awhile and get more substantial help with concepts or applications. The Math Center’s atmosphere bustles as tutors circulate between tables answering questions or assisting individual students. There is less one-on-one tutoring in the Math Center than in the Writing Center, however, students with special needs may speak to Luis Pena, Math Center Coordinator, about more intensive tutoring

9. I told you I was keeping this quick

10. In case you like cats. Call me.