By Matthew McConathy/ reporter
Bogdan Sierra Miranda/The Collegian
Students on NE Campus have access to a tutoring center that provides students with faculty assistance.
The SOS Center is geared to help students in most subjects and provides a quiet place to study. It offers assistance directly by campus instructors rather than through peer tutoring.
“Our faculty meet with students,” SOS Center coordinator Diane Pierce said. “There are seven computers for students to use, books to borrow and areas to study. If there isn’t a faculty member that is available, we refer them to other instructors on campus, other services on campus that may be helpful.”
The SOS Center has a club site on myTCC that students can add to their home page. The bookmark section has scheduled listings when NE instructors are available as well as 20 online tutorials to assist in studies.
NE Campus has other learning centers such as the Math Lab, Computer Learning Center, Language Lab and Writing Center, but the SOS Center incorporates all subjects and provides one-on-one assistance with faculty.
The center was created in April 2011 to help students succeed and provide a location for students to learn in a comfortable environment.
“Over the last five years, the SOS Center has grown in the number of students we have assisted. We’ve added computers, added books and other resources for students to utilize,” Pierce said. “Most students that come to the SOS Center have commented that they really like studying and meeting faculty here.”
A few supplemental instructors meet with students in the center. They have a specific class or subject where they provide assistance for students.
“We are not tutors. We are assigned to specific instructors and organize outside sessions,” supplemental instructor Emerald Artist said. “It is a learning setting that is very interactive. We come up with games or problems so students dig their hands into the material, using different learning techniques and learning games.”
The center’s name stands for “Study, Organize, Succeed.” Students can be referred there from other learning centers on campus.
“What motivates me to come to the SOS is that I find it intimidating to ask my professor questions after class. I feel comfortable here,” NE student Diana Hernandez said. “I can ask another professor the same questions on the same subject without feeling intimidated.”
Instructors who come into the center work with students or meet in different places around campus, such as classrooms and the library. They do their best to help students succeed and find their learning style.
“I usually try to get students to come up with the answers,” NE history chair James Hathcock said. “I ask to see their notes, to make sure they are taking good notes. Good note taking is important, and I talk to them about their instructor. I just do what I do. It’s teaching, helping students have a better understanding of the world they live.”
The center is located in NACB 1207 outside the Writing Center. No appointments are needed, and it’s open Monday through Saturday.
