Having problems in math? Need to study for the GRE? Want to learn about time management? The Center for Academic Learning Services offers various educational resources to University students, faculty and graduate teaching fellows.
“Any student can come in and talk to a staff member about issues related to their education, like time management, or even if they just have this sinking feeling that things aren’t going the way they want them to,” said ALS Director Susan Lesyk.
At the center, students can participate in workshops, courses for credit, drop-in math and writing labs, and receive tutoring in different subjects. The ALS also offers preparation courses for standardized exams, including the SAT, Graduate Record Exam, Law School Admission Test and the Medical College Admission Test.
Lesyk said about a quarter to a third of the student body comes to the center during a school year.
“We do not keep a tally as people walk in the door, but we do keep track of the number of people who sign up for tutoring or individual conferences and other programs,” she said.
One of the services the center offers is a “Get Savvy” workshop for students and faculty, which runs Tuesday through Friday.
For students, the “Get Savvy” workshops address a number of areas including critical reading, presentations, class discussions, objective tests and essay exams. Students can also learn about motivation, stress and time management. Faculty workshops focus on classroom assessment, teaching portfolios and grant writing. Teachers also discuss how to facilitate difficult discussions, help students with texts and create course Web sites.
Lesyk said that during the school year, students can consult a database of qualified tutors in subjects not offered by the center, or take advantage of drop-in math and writing labs. The labs run Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in PLC 72.
The center also offers group tutoring sessions for math, chemistry, physics, French and Spanish that meet twice each week. There is an $80 fee per course for these group sessions. For a schedule of group meetings, check out the Web site at als.uoregon.edu.
The ALS center also offers some courses for credit as well as special programs such as the TRiO Student Support Services. This program, which is funded through the department of Education, caters to the University’s non-traditional students. The program provides classes in math, writing and critical thinking, as well as access to personal counseling and academic advising for students who qualify. Eligibility is based on income level, parents’ education and an academic need for support services.
Sarah Adkison, a returning student in her senior year, is one of the students in the Student Support Services program. She said she gets help with academic writing and test taking.
“Academic Learning Services is like a small college within the larger one. I come in and people know my name, they know what I’m studying; I’m very comfortable,” Adkison said. Adkison said if students have problems with any aspect of school or if their educational approach needs improvement, they need to remember that they can get help.
“Students just have to wander in, and we’ll help them,” said Deb Casey, associate director of the SSS program. I feel bad when students come in and say that they wish they’d found us sooner, because we’re here to help.”
Academic Learning Services is not just for students, though. Faculty and graduate teaching fellows can participate in the Teaching Effectiveness Program. The program assists instructors in evaluating and improving their teaching.
The center is located in PLC 62 and is open from 8:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m. For more information on the Center for Academic Learning Services or any of its programs, visit www.uoregon.edu/~al or call 346-3226.