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| About the Center |
Some WCTP Background: In 1995, the deans and other advisors who deal with students in academic trouble initiated a discussion with the Writing Center about how best to meet the needs of students who requested tutoring in various disciplines. The deans' offices had observed that tutoring varied widely from department to department and that there was no way to determine if the tutoring they had arranged was effective, or whether it was even occurring. In many cases, students were expected to pay out-of-pocket for this tutoring, a fact that conflicts with Bucknell's desire for equal access to the curriculum. Moreover, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires universities to make "reasonable accommodations"--e.g., free tutoring across the disciplines--for learning–disabled students. In order to determine the best way to meet these needs, the deans and the WC director consulted with representatives from academic and administrative departments to develop a proposal for a centralized tutoring program. The Writing Center negotiated with departments in the fall of 1995 and inaugurated a tutoring program in math and science in January and February of 1996. Though there are no math or science educators on staff at the Writing Center, the Center is the main academic support unit on campus with experience in training tutors in learner-centered strategies. We were thus asked to take on the job of developing centralized tutoring. This responsibility entails recruiting tutors; training them; processing client requests; matching clients with tutors; monitoring and supporting the tutors in their working relationships with clients; and communicating with professors, students, deans, and sometimes parents. Initially, tutoring was offered in as many disciplines as we could find tutors for, and in any course. However, the overwhelming demand for tutors and limited administrative resources precipitated a change in policy. In 1999, the deans' offices stipulated that tutoring would be offered only for introductory courses in mathematics, biology, chemistry, and physics. Thus we typically have a corps of about 20 tutors who serve clients in these courses. The tutors in the math/science program are matched with students on a semester-long basis; their goal is to help students who are really struggling and need ongoing help. Potential tutors are required to take a ten-hour training which runs on two consecutive Saturdays. We conduct the training in the early weeks of each semester. Thereafter, we provide ongoing support and training to tutors at our weekly tutor meetings. back to About the Writing Center Writing
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