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University Learning and Writing Centers

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Male student tutors female student at Commonwealth University - Bloomsburg Writing Center
Contact Information

The University Learning Centers at Commonwealth University offer peer tutoring (content and writing support), supplemental instruction, and academic coaching for undergraduate students.

Our mission is to assist Commonwealth University undergraduates in experiencing learning success, to help student clients (tutees) to strengthen their academic performance, to provide individualized assistance, to foster interest in courses, and to aid tutees in achieving learning independence.

The link below takes you to CUSucceed where you can schedule in person tutoring appointments at your home campus or zoom tutoring appointments at any campus.

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Center Locations, Schedules, and Contact Information

Contact Information

Services offered to students Fall 2024

Director

Secretary

The Writing and Literacy Engagement Studio (WALES), supports students’ growth as writers and readers. We enjoy easing the writing process for all students from any background working in any major. We also enjoy helping students develop strategies for reading and making sense of research and course material. Students set the agenda for each appointment—whether they’re concerned about their reading material, about getting started on a writing project, about improving clarity, grammar, organization, or citations, or about any other aspect of reading, writing, or the English language. Our diverse group of WALES Consultants represent a variety of majors and share the common goal of working with students to develop skills and strategies that help them grow as readers and writers.

Online WALES Support for Winter 2024-25

For winter session, WALES will offer online consulting through Zoom, through which you will be able to speak and share your text with a WALES Consultant. To arrange for an online session, send an appointment request from your student email address at least 24 hours in advance to WALES@commonwealthu.edu.

We will monitor email during the day, and you should receive confirmation of your online appointment within 12 hours of making your request.

At the time of the appointment, please log into your Huskies email account. You should receive a link to an online Zoom room. Though there is no software to download, you may have to choose a user name (there is not specific requirement for your name). You will also be asked to provide your student number and other information, as you would in a face-to-face session in WALES.

Asynchronous Support

For students whose schedule does not permit working with us in real time, we offer asynchronous support. Students should complete our intake form to provide information about their writing situation as well as their current draft. They will receive feedback on their draft within 48 hours.

General Contact

Director

The Betty B. Schantz Tutorial Center

Betty B. Schantz was a long-time supporter of her Alma Mater. In 2008, Betty designated development funds that she had raised for support of Tutorial Services. This support enabled Lock Haven University to establish the Betty B. Schantz Tutorial Center. This Betty B. Schantz Tutorial Center, which started in the former library at East Campus, is now located and thrives in the Stephanie A. Wollock Learning Commons on the second floor of the Stevenson Library.

Fall 2024 Hours

  • In person writing hours
    • Mondays 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
    • Tuesdays 2:45 PM - 6:00 PM
    • Wednesdays 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM and 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
    • Thursdays 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM and 12:30 PM - 6:00 PM
    • Fridays 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
  • Math Center Robinson 409 hours
    • Mondays 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
    • Tuesdays 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM and 12:30 PM - 3:00 PM
    • Wednesdays 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
    • Thursdays 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

General Contact

Director

Services offered to students Fall 2024

Fall 2024 Newsletter for Faculty & Staff

General Contact

Descriptions of Services Provided

Our University Learning Centers offer peer tutoring, supplemental Instruction, and academic coaching during fall and spring semesters. NetTutor is our online tutoring service and is available to students during all semesters including summer and winter.

Scheduled peer tutoring for specific courses can be set up through CU Succeed before 5 p.m. the day before the session. Students can see the availability of tutors who support the courses they are taking and schedule appointments directly in the CU Succeed system. Peer tutoring appointments take place in the Learning Center (SSC119). Some tutors are available to meet with students via Zoom. Please contact us at tutoring@commonwealthu.edu to see if your tutor is available to meet online.

WALES, the Writing and Literacy Engagement Studio, supports Commonwealth University students in reading comprehension and writing. We can work with students via Zoom or face to face in the Bloomsburg campus, Bakeless Center for Humanities, room 206.

For students who cannot work with us in real time, we also offer asynchronous support for which students submit their written work and receive feedback within 48 hours. We also offer our Reading and Writing with Sources workshop several evenings via Zoom.

What is SI?

Supplemental Instruction (SI) is a series of weekly review sessions for students in selected courses. SI is provided for all students who want to improve their understanding of course material and improve their grades. For you the student, it’s a chance to get together with people in your class to compare notes, to discuss important concepts, to develop strategies for studying the subject, and to test yourselves before your professor does, so that when he/she does, you’ll be ready. At each session you will be guided through this material by your SI leader, a competent student who has previously taken the course.

What’s an SI leader?

Have you ever wished you could do something over, knowing what you know now? SI leaders are students themselves who are prepared to share with you what they have learned over the years about how to study. They know the course content and are anxious to help guide you through it. They’ll be in class with you every day, hearing what you hear and reading what you read. What they won’t do is lecture; their job is to help you think about the lectures you hear and the books you read, and then put it all together during the SI review sessions. SI can help you learn course material more efficiently.

When do SI review sessions start?

SI sessions begin the second week of class and continue until the last week of class each semester. Most courses will not have review sessions during finals week. The sessions will be held the same days/times/locations every week. Each session will be different because you’ll have new material to discuss. SI review sessions are informal. Bring your notes; bring your textbook; bring your questions.

What’s in it for me?

Students that attend SI sessions tend to earn (on average) a better grade than those who do not attend. You’ll have developed a better understanding of course content as well as more effective ways of studying. This will help you in other classes also.

SI sessions?

View the session schedule to see if your course is supported by SI and when the sessions will be.

What if I need help in a course that is not supported by Supplemental Learning this semester?

If your course is not supported by SI this semester, we highly recommend that you visit University Learning Center, which offers free peer tutoring services for Bloomsburg University students.

Drop-In Tutoring

Drop-In Tutoring is an alternative to scheduled Peer Tutoring that allows students to meet with our tutors for sessions during their scheduled open hours. Drop-in tutors have scheduled drop-in hours throughout the week which allows students who need help in courses they offer to simply stop by the learning center and get the help they need. We are currently offering drop-in tutoring for Math, Biology, Chemistry, Psychology, Nursing, Computer Science, and a few other fields of study. Like Peer Tutoring, Drop-In Tutoring will also take place in the Learning Center (SSC119). Specific courses, availability hours, and tutors can be found in the Drop-In Tutoring schedule.

Who are Peer Research Consultants?

Peer Research Consultants (PRCs) are students hired and trained through The North Hall Library and The Mansfield Learning Center. The purpose of PRCs is to support Mansfield / Commonwealth University students with written research projects by providing research assistance and information about library and Learning Center services and resources. PRCs engage with other students one-on-one, in small groups, with other tutors, and librarians.  For Commonwealth students at Lock Haven or Bloomsburg, sessions can be scheduled via zoom.

What can Peer Research Consultants help me with?

Research assistance may include:
  • using the library catalog,
  • simple database searching,
  • locating library materials,
  • peer-level guidance on planning and executing written research projects, and
  • referrals to library and other faculty when additional support is needed

Want to work with a Peer Research Consultant?

Find out more information about them and how to book an appointment at library.commonwealthu.edu/prcs

NetTutor

Students unable to connect with a peer tutor should work with NetTutor for support. Students can link to it directly from the home page in Brightspace. Many subjects are staffed 24/7 by professional tutors and all others have generous hours of availability.

More information can be found in the NetTutor Quick Reference Guide.

All content areas are available, including:
  • accounting
  • anthropology
  • biology
  • business
  • chemistry
  • computer science
  • economics
  • finance
  • languages 
  • marketing
  • math
  • physics
  • political science 
  • psychology

And plenty more!

Resources

Information coming soon.

Tutors are needed in many courses of study. There is a high need in the areas of English/language arts, math, and science. If you done well in previous courses and like to help people we could use you as a tutor. These are paid positions and look great on a resume. Come join our team!

Tutor small groups on a weekly basis or individuals on a drop-in basis. This is a great opportunity to convey knowledge you have acquired and and excellent experience to add to your resume!

Requirements to be a Tutor
  • Have an overall 3.0 GPA
  • Have an A or B in the course(s) you wish to tutor
  • Submit two recommendations from LHU faculty
  • Submit updated unofficial transcript
  • Complete an interview
  • Complete tutor training
Applying to be a Tutor

*If you work at another cost code on campus, remember you can only work a total of 20 hours per week.

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