East campus students who need a little extra help with their studies can get it at the new Math, Science and Technology Tutoring Center.
On Monday, the center opened its doors at its new location in the lower level of the Center for Academic Support in the Academic Support Building.
Tutoring is offered to students free of charge during select hours Monday through Thursday.
Services are also being offered in two new satellite locations -- the American Indian Programs Building and in Room 107 of the Aviation Technology Center.
Though tutoring services were offered during previous semesters, the times and facilities limited the services offered to the students. Feedback from students showed administration a need to provide more academic assistance.
Michael Lindyn, a multimedia writing and technical communications junior said he was surprised to hear of the improvements to the learning center and tutoring services.
"I've never used the tutoring centers, but I've been told that they were already very good," Lindyn said.
Cindy Boglin, director of the Center for Academic Support on east campus, said the increase in staff and tutor hours is "solely based on feedback from students and faculty."
Both primary and satellite locations offer individual or group assistance in a wide variety of math and science disciplines.
The writing assistance program is one of the most highly demanded services in the center. It provides students with help developing their writing skills so they can create their own work, rather than respond to tutor comments without understanding the creative process.
Appointments are recommended for any of the services, though walk-ins are allowed if students have a flexible schedule.
To keep up with the needs of the campus, Boglin suggests that students provide feedback on their tutoring experiences.
Real-time online tutoring is not currently available, and it seems to be the only thing missing from the learning center's efforts.
Lindyn, who is taking four classes of his 21 credits online, agrees.
"I think the idea of online tutoring would be very helpful," Lindyn said. "I have a hard time making it to a math tutor, so having access to help online would help a lot."
Boglin said she is excited about the recent expansion of tutoring services, though she said there aren't any concrete plans to expand the subjects offered in the future.
But that doesn't rule out that expanded subjects will be pursued if students show the need for it.
"If we find that the needs of the student are different than what we are currently providing, we will make adjustments," Boglin said.
"We are here to provide [a] service to the student," she said. "We want to help in any way we can."
Reach the reporter at Rachel.hawkinson@asu.edu.
