Expectations of the Tutor

• Attend Tutor Training session.
• Only those students officially registered as a tutor will be reimbursed for their efforts. Please refer all first year students who want tutors to the Student Affairs Office.
• Do not allow tutees to "switch" tutors on their own. If your assigned tutee wants to switch tutors (don't take it personally), direct them the Student Affairs Office to make the switch. Please be sure to report all progress, including any difficulties, to Kathy McGovern.
• Try to set up a regular meeting time and be on time for all appointments.
• Be willing and able to develop rapport with the student. Use basic communication skills.
• Make the student comfortable. Be friendly.
• Help student identify his/her academic problems.
• Do not assume that a student knows something . . . ask!
• Have students bring in all paper, handouts and class syllabi and review these materials with him/her.
• Ask questions that require explanations - not "yes" or "no" responses.
• Look at the student's notes - the notes may give you clues as to how the student is thinking about the subject.
• Be very patient; you are assisting because you confronted the same materials and mastered them. Your goal is for the student to understand the material, but it may take time and a variety of approaches and explanations.
• Use concrete examples - draw it, show relationships.
• Try everything you can think of to explain something to a student. If nothing works, ask a fellow tutor, teacher, etc., then try again.
• Do not be afraid to talk to professors when preparing materials for tutoring sessions.
• Keep accurate records of dates and times of appointments, including attendance of student.
• Know about other services for referrals, or refer student to Sue Ann Hennessy or Tina Wilcox.