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We, too, have reduced tutoring services for social sciences because of the lack of participation. However, I think that part of our problem is the lack of support from faculty--not that they do not "like" us, but that they don't think to encourage students to seek assistance, in reading skills, writing skills or content. When the instructors participate, the students come in droves and tend to come back for other courses. We have one history professor who was so concerned about her students' papers that she required the students to see a tutor before turning in the paper. I think this is a little radical (and does put us in a tizzy for a while), but it gets the students thinking about writing good papers for courses other than English. My goal is to develop peer assisted study groups for those courses. I'm thinking that we will enlist the support of instructors/professors, supply a staff person to initiate the study group and back out as the group attains proficiency. This is not SI, but should work in a similar manner. Since I don't plan on paying a study group facilitator for an entire semester, I hope to save some money. -----Original Message----- From: Carolyn DeLorme [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Friday, October 27, 2000 9:42 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Social Sciences Tutoring Larry, We see both situations. When we offered tutoring for social science courses, we had very little reponse to utilizing those tutors. We dropped funding for those areas and concentrated on courses with higher numbers of students requesting assistance. Those individuals that come into our program need help with how to more effectively and efficiently prepare for social science classes (study skills). However, the social science programs offer their own resource centers where students come to get help with course concepts. For example, some individuals find it very difficult to understand the idea of "conditioned responses" and other related psychology concepts. Carolyn DeLorme, Director University Learning Center University of North Dakota P.O. Box 7124 Grand Forks, ND 58202 [log in to unmask] Office: (701)777-4406 FAX: (701)777-3397 >>> Larry Arrington <[log in to unmask]> 10/27/00 08:33AM >>> I'd like to know if there are any strong opinions or observations regarding the need / usefulness of Social Sciences tutors (Psych, Soc, Hist, etc.) in a college learning center environment. It seems that some people believe that assistance for students in these courses is mainly study skills / writing related vs. actual content area....while others feel that the material / concepts need to be addressed for some students. Larry Arrington Director of Learning Assistance Lab MCCC - Blue Bell, PA [log in to unmask]