For students struggling with grueling midterms and seemingly impossible course loads, the U offers many opportunities for easy and affordable tutoring.
In accordance with National Tutoring Week, Oct. 9 through Oct. 13, the Associated Students of the University of Utah and other campus organizations will be promoting their tutoring services.
The ASUU Tutoring Center, located in the Student Services Building, offers individual and group tutoring to all U students.
Subsidized by ASUU and student fees, costs are $6 per hour for individuals and $3 per hour for groups. Students with Federal Pell Grants may receive free vouchers for tutoring.
Students can come in to the ASUU Tutoring Center to register for appointments, pay for sessions and be directed to the tutoring center that coincides with their major or area of study.
Deborah Hair, office manager of the ASUU Tutoring Center, said, “We work as a referral center-we refer students to the tutoring center that will meet their needs. The students then arrange with their tutors to meet in a public place.”
Tutoring can take place almost anywhere-in the library, in computer labs, in the cafeteria-anywhere that is convenient and comfortable for both the tutor and the tutee.
Besides the ASUU Tutoring Center, tutoring is available in 18 departmental centers throughout campus. Some departments that offer tutoring include the athletic department, the Bennion Community Service Center, the Center for Disability Services, the Center for Ethnic Student Affairs, the College of Law, the University Writing Center, the Naval Science Center and the mathematics department.
Tutors are usually upperclassmen who have excelled in their area of study. They are selected through an application process and are expected to be personable, reliable and eager to help.
“The tutoring services at the U are phenomenal,” said David Martini, the ASUU student services director. “‘Students first’ is our goal here. If you’re struggling or need help, there are ways to get it.”
Currently, the ASUU Tutoring Center features about 120 tutors, with math being in the highest demand. According to available records, in the 2004-2005 school year, the center served a total of 874 students, providing 6,256 hours of tutoring.
First-year graduate student Anthony Buck, who is studying vocal performance and works at the ASUU Tutoring Center, said, “Some people come in and say, ‘I would not have been able to pass my class without the help of so-and-so.’ These are the kinds of services we are trying to provide.”
The Heritage Center also provides tutoring services for all U students free of cost. These services, provided by students employed by the ASUU Tutoring Center, are provided on a walk-in basis.
Ryan Perkins