SOS! Tutoring and Other Learning Assistance

The Successful Outcomes for Students (SOS!) programs offer you help to improve your course work through tutoring, workshops, courses, and individual conferences. This directory collects all SOS! information in one place for convenient reference.

Office Hours

The university’s most prized SOS! service is the faculty office hour where instructors in every department can routinely help you to:

increase your understanding of a course
improve your study techniques
assess your knowledge of course content
explore approaches to an assignment
review course material and solve problems
identify sources of further help
plan academic and career goals

Instructors welcome the opportunity to confer with students about their work, but often it is up to you, the student, to initiate such a meeting.

You will find faculty office hours identified in the course syllabus, posted outside faculty office doors, and listed in the department office. If you are in doubt about the time or place, ask the instructor. It is always a good idea to arrange your meeting in advance, when possible. Most instructors observe regular office hours; others meet students by appointment; many do both. Many instructors also use e-mail as a way of keeping in touch with their students.

Course Preparation: By Major

THE STUDENT LEARNING CENTER:

Tutoring available for CDES, HCSV, FIN, MIS, E E, CMPE majors and many more. Many majors offer tutoring through the Student Learning Center in MLIB 458. Specific tutoring is arranged by appointment. Hours are M-W 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Th 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and F 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Accounting

Tutoring Lab in Accounting: For students in BADM 015, BADM 016, and MINS 110, tutoring by accounting mentors, GLNN 206.

Student Learning Center: For students in BADM 003, BADM 015 and BADM 016, tutoring by appointment, MLIB 458.

Agriculture

For students in ABUS 080, ABUS 083, ANSC 002, PSSC 002, and AGRI 145, tutoring is provided by peer tutors and arranged by faculty.

Anthropology

Anthropology tutoring and peer advising services for students in undergraduate anthropology courses or those considering a career in anthropology. The services are offered by appointment and provided by members of the faculty advanced undergraduates and graduate students, as well as those active in the Chico Anthropological Society. For services call 898-6192.

Biology

Biology Tutoring Lab: For students in lower- division biology courses, members of Omicron Theta Epsilon provide tutoring on various dates and times. For schedule information, inquire in the Biology Department, Holt 279 (898-5356).

Student Learning Center: For students in biology courses, tutoring by appointment, MLIB 458.

Business

The Business Resource Center (BRC) is located in Glenn 206. The BRC is an academic support program for undergraduate business students. The center includes ten personal computers designed for use by first-time computer users. The center is open for computer use M-Th 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. and F, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

The BRC provides regularly scheduled Supplemental Instruction (SI) workshops. Space is limited so sign-up at the beginning of the semester. In addition, student mentors are available for BADM 001, BADM 003, BADM 015, and BADM 016.

Chemistry

Chemistry Tutoring Lab: For students in lower- division chemistry courses, drop-in tutoring by members of Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Society. Hours posted in PHSC 207.

Student Learning Center: For students in chemistry courses, tutoring by appointment, MLIB 458.

Computer Science

Tutoring Sessions: For students in computer science courses, tutoring is available as a free service from various student organizations within the department, such as the UPE Honor Society and the ACM Student Chapter. Please go to the department office, OCNL 215, for more information.

Student Learning Center: For students in undergraduate computer science courses, tutoring by appointment, MLIB 458.

Economics

Exceptional majors in economics provide tutoring and peer advising services for students enrolled in economics courses. Drop by the Economics Conference Room, Butte 601, or phone 898-6141 for an appointment.

Student Learning Center: For students in ECON courses, tutoring by appointment, MLIB 458.

Education

For students in the School of Education working on computer aided instruction and personal computer literacy. Drop-in service: Apple Macintosh (Tehama 132B) and Pentium PC’s (Tehama 116) are available M-F. Open lab hours are posted left of the door to THMA 116 each week or call 898-6249. Drop-in use of these labs requires purchase of the Tehama Lab Use Manual available in the A.S. Bookstore (approx. $35 per semester-subject to change).

The Teacher Diversity Program offers free workshops throughout the semester. Please call 898-4081 or visit Siskiyou 126 or 143.

Engineering

Tutoring Sessions: For all engineering students, tutoring by Tau Beta Pi members. Please go to the appropriate engineering department office for more information. For EE, CMPE, and MECA students, IEEE and Eta Kappa Nu provide tutoring in OCNL 349.

Tutoring problem sections (CE 198As) are available for students who need assistance beyond that given during classtime for the following: CE 010, CE 035, CE 101, CE 121, and CE 150.

English

See below — “Skills Preparation: Writing”

Environmental Science

Geosciences Tutoring Service: For students in undergraduate environmental science courses, tutoring by appointment provided by members of the Chico Geosciences Students (CGS). See the bulletin board located next to PHSC 217.

Foreign Languages

Tutoring is available by appointment in MLIB 458, for French, German, Italian, Japanese and Spanish.

Geosciences

Geosciences Tutoring Service: For students in geosciences courses; tutoring by appointment provided by members of the Chico Geosciences Students (CGS). See the bulletin board located next to PHSC 217.

Student Learning Center: For students in geosciences courses, tutoring by appointment, MLIB 458.

History

Student Learning Center: For students in undergraduate history courses, tutoring by appointment, MLIB 458.

International Relations

Peer Advisers: For students having difficulties in their lower-division international relations courses, services are arranged by request in the Political Science Department, BUTE 741, M-F, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Mathematics and Statistics

Mathematics Tutorial Lab: For students with course-related math problems, refresher information, explanation of concepts and opportunity for further practice. Drop-in tutoring service provided by student tutors. Inquire in the Mathematics Department, HOLT 181, for time and place.

MATH 007X, MATH 007Y: For students enrolled in MATH 007A and MATH 007B, respectively, one-unit enrichment and practice courses. See The Class Schedule (TRACS Book) for time and place.

Student Learning Center: For students in undergraduate courses requiring mathematics, tutoring by appointment, MLIB 458.

Multicultural and Gender Studies

MCGS 055-Introduction to Multicultural and Gender Studies is part of the fall GE Course Link program for Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) students. Students also receive supplemental instruction through the Student Learning Center. Such support is also offered in introductory courses in American Indian Sudies and African American Studies. In addition, MCGS faculty provide academic and student organization advising, financial, and logistical support for student-sponsored speakers and events.

Music

Student Learning Center: For students in music theory courses, tutoring by appointment, MLIB 458.

Nursing

Media Laboratory: For students in the nursing program, tutoring provided by retention coordinator, HOLT 369, by appointment only.

Philosophy

Student Learning Center: For students in philosophy courses, tutoring by appointment, MLIB 458.

Physical Education and Exercise Science

Peer Advisers: For students in undergraduate physical education courses, by appointment, AGYM 135.

Computer Lab: For physical education majors working on computer-aided instruction projects and personal computer literacy skills. Drop-in service: Apple Macintosh (Tehama 105) and Pentium PCs (Tehama 116) are available, M-F. Open lab hours are posted on the door of Tehama 105 each week or call 898-6249. Drop-in use of these labs requires purchase of the Tehama Lab Use Manual available in the A.S. Bookstore (approximately $35 per semester).

Physics

Physics Tutoring Service: For students in lower-division physics courses, drop-in tutoring service provided by volunteer student tutors. Hours posted in PHSC 110.

Student Learning Center: For students in undergraduate physics courses; tutoring by appointment; MLIB 458.

Political Science

Public Law peer advising by student interns at CLIC (W. 2nd and Cherry) 898-4354. Legal Studies peer advising by student interns, Pre- Law Society and CLIC, 898-4354; BUTE 702.

Student Learning Center: For undergraduate students in political science courses, tutoring by appointment, MLIB 458.

Psychology

Student Learning Center: For students in undergraduate psychology courses, tutoring by appointment, MLIB 458.

Recreation and Parks Management

Computer Lab: For recreation majors working on computer-aided instruction projects and personal computer literacy skills. Drop-in service: Apple Macintosh (Tehama 132B) and Pentium PCs (Tehama 116) are available M-F. Open lab hours are posted to the left of the THMA 116 door each week or call 898-6249. Drop-in use of these labs requires purchase of the Tehama Lab Use Manual available in the A.S. Bookstore (approximately $35 per semester).

Religious Studies

Religious Studies tutoring service for students in undergraduate religious studies courses is provided by undergraduate majors. See adviser for details (TRNT 239).

Speech Pathology and Audiology

Student Learning Center: For students in undergraduate SPPA courses, tutoring by appointment, MLIB 458.

Skills Preparation

Writing

The Writing Center: For students in any course requiring writing, including specialized assistance for ESL writers. Not a proofreading service but a writing assistance program to help you with:

understanding writing assignments
producing any writing: short essays, business letters, term papers, master’s theses
developing lively and important ideas, organizing them effectively, and supporting them with well-chosen specifics
writing clearly and with conviction
preparing for CBEST tests

By appointment, Taylor 203, 898-5042:
M, W,Th, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.; T, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; and F, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m

Mathematics

Mathematics Tutorial Lab: For students with course-related mathematics problems. Refresher information, explanation of concepts, opportunity for further practice. Drop-in service provided by student tutors. Inquire in the Mathematics Department, HOLT 181.

Student Learning Center: For students in courses requiring mathematics, tutoring by appointment, MLIB 458.

Study Skills Tutoring

Student Learning Center (SLC): For students seeking to improve skills in reading, examination-taking, concentration, memory, writing as a study aid, spelling, use of the library, or time management. Tutoring by appointment.

Study Skills Survey

to diagnose study habits and attitudes
to prescribe study improvement activities
to monitor study skill improvement

The Student Learning Center (MLIB 458) has a remarkable computer program that can help students not only learn to learn but also survive and succeed in college. It is a computerized study skill survey that can diagnose and pinpoint potential problems. The printout you receive after completing the survey prescribes specific materials and makes study suggestions you can use immediately. You will be amazed at the insight your profile will reveal about your study behaviors and habits.

Study Skills Workshops

The Student Learning Center sponsors specialized workshops for students in the following areas. Check at MLIB 458 for the schedule.

Essay Tests
Memory and Concentration Strategies
Motivation
Note-taking Styles
Reading Strategies
Test Anxiety Reduction
Test-taking Strategies

Supplemental Instruction (SI)

Supplemental Instruction (SI) is an academic program that increases student performance and retention. Students learn valuable skills such as note-taking, organization, and test preparation in a collaborative setting. The SI program targets traditionally difficult academic courses and provides regularly scheduled out-of-class peer facilitation sessions. The SI instructors receive 20 hours of training in methodology before leading the workshop and must demonstrate superior comprehension of the course. For more information, contact the Student Learning Center, 898-6839. Selected course offerings are subject to change.