This year will be the first in which Pacific students can receive tutoring for all subject areas in one place on campus. The location is called the Tutoring and Learning Center and can be found in Scott Hall.
The idea to house all tutoring services for math, writing and science in one location was put into action because it “makes sense in terms of usefulness,” according to Writing Resource Center Director Brent Johnson. Rather than having the originally separate tutoring centers seen as separate entities, the merging “brings more of a solid sense of where students can go for help,” said Johnson.
Because Pacific’s tutoring services are a “pretty unique and special service,” an all-subject Tutoring and Learning Center appeared as a concept that was well thought out, said Johnson.
Although initially the merging of all tutoring centers was an improvement to the physical campus, Director of School of Social Sciences Sarah Phillips had an even greater goal in mind when planning the TLC.
“Sometimes what appears to be a problem in class is really something else,” said Phillips, “and you need help but you don’t exactly know what you need help with.” Because of this, Phillips finds it necessary that the TLC be a place in which students can come for help whether the issues are school-related or personal.
“The school has a responsibility to do everything we can to see students succeed,” added Phillips.
The next step in helping students succeed and feel welcome in the TLC is hiring a director fit for the task at hand. The interviewing process has already begun and Phillips said the most important quality that is crucial for the TLC director on such a diverse campus is to “be able to relate to people at the university at all levels.”
The TLC director is a new position to Pacific but the tutoring services will continue to be student-run, said Johnson.
When asked about some of the difficulties the new TLC may face, Phillips said, “it’s hard to start something new.”
But the faculty will work through these potential problems and focus on the true job, “to help students succeed,” said Phillips.
The Tutoring and Learning Center provides writing resources to students Sunday through Thursday noon to 3 p.m. and 7 to 10 p.m. Tutoring for math and science is offered Sunday through Thursday 7 to 9:30 p.m. as well as Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1:30 to 3 p.m.
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