Tutorial Program
The Academic Support Unit is committed to providing quality tutoring for a variety of undergraduate courses. We provide students with the option of individual or small group tutoring to fit your needs. We hire quality tutors with the ability to combine their subject area expertise, communicate with students, and work towards creating self-motivated independent students.
Tutors
Apply to be a tutor!
Tutorial Program Policies & Procedures
Tutee
Getting a Tutor
- Students must complete a Tutee Application and return it to Room 202 of the Black Cultural Center.
How will I be notified if I will be receiving a tutor?
- Student will be notified via email on the status of their application for a tutor(s).
- Tutors and Tutees will receive the contact information to establish a tutoring schedule which is convenient to both parties. (Tutoring schedule must be submitted to the Assistant Director of Minority Student Affairs.)
- All Tutoring must take place in the Black Cultural Center.
- If a Tutee misses two unexcused consecutive sessions or a total of three for the semester the session will be terminated.
- It is the responsibility of Tutors and Tutees to establish clear communication regarding tutoring appointments, delays, or cancellations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Supplemental Tutoring Support Information
Tutorial Program Policies and Procedures (for Tutors)
In order to provide timely and effective academic support to students, the MSA's Academic Support Office provides the Book Loan Program, Tutoring, and Early Alert Programs. The purpose of the Tutorial Program is to provide students with the opportunity to request free academic assistance from student tutors in a variety of subjects. In an effort to equitably provide this service, students are served on a first come, first serve basis and the program is open to all students.
Procedure for Tutors
- Application » Before a student can participate in the Tutorial Program a Tutor Application must be completed and submitted to the Assistant Director of Minority Student Affairs.The application includes demographic information, contact numbers, and the subjects students are proficient in tutoring. A letter of recommendation or an email from a faculty member in the respective subject area(s) that you are interested in is also required to complete the application process. Tutor applications are available online at the Minority Student Affairs website or at the front desk of the Office of Minority Student Affairs.
Employment » Tutors are then notified in writing regarding the status of their Tutor Application. Before a Tutor can establish contact with Tutees or begin the process, they must meet and complete all of the payroll requirements and documentation. International Students must provide the required immigration documents indicating their eligibility for employment. All of the payroll information must be turned in to Yolanda Brooks, Administrative Assistant for the Office of Minority Student Affairs. Her office is located on the second floor of the Black Cultural Center.
Students are paid on a bi-weekly system and total university employment cannot exceed 20 hours. Therefore, if you are employed in another department on campus you must declare that information to Yolanda Brooks for payroll and the Tutor Coordinator or Assistant Director. - Orientation » Orientation is mandatory for Tutors, unless, prior approval has been granted by the Tutor Coordinator or Assistant Director with a specific make-up date to cover orientation materials.
- Contact with Tutees » The Coordinator will assign Tutees based on a first come, first serve basis and the availability of the Tutors in the subject area. Tutors are responsible for contacting their assigned Tutees and arranging a meeting time for Tutoring. All tutoring session must be held in the Black Cultural Center unless you have received written permission from the Tutor Coordinator or Assistant Director.
- Clock in and Clock out process and Absence Policy » All Tutors must clock in for payroll located at the Program Resource Specialist's desk. In addition, Tutors and Tutees must sign-in and sign-out in the Academic Support Office, Room 202, in order to receive payment. Tutors are only paid for the hours worked and reflected on the time clock and sign-in sheet.
If a Tutor or Tutee misses more than (2) consecutive sessions or a semester total of (3) sessions, they will be re-assigned or terminated from the Tutorial Program. All absences or make-up sessions must be recorded on the sign-in sheet and reported to the Coordinator within 48 hours of absence. - Number of hours working with Tutees » Tutors can tutor two subjects at 4 hours per student per week. Total hours worked for tutoring in Minority Student Affairs cannot exceed 20 hours in a week.
- Pay Rates for Tutors »
Undergraduate Rate - $8.00 per hour
Graduate Rate - $9.00 per hour
Student can only be paid at the hourly rate per number of students whether individual or group. - Tutoring Policies and Procedures Regarding Academic Assistance » Under no circumstances are Tutors to do the Tutee's homework (i.e. write papers or complete homework assignments for students). Tutoring is designed to assist students with their comprehension methodology, reviewing materials covered in class, and basic study skills orientation not actually doing the Tutee's work. A violation of this constitutes plagiarism and academic dishonesty.
- Evaluations » In order to more effectively serve you and assess the effectiveness of the tutoring program, students are required to complete a midterm and final semester evaluation of the tutoring process.
Frequently Asked Questions (for Tutees)
How will I be notified regarding my request for a Tutor?
- Students will be contacted via email regarding the status of their application for tutoring. If there is no response to email we will contact the students by the telephone number listed on the application.
Where will I meet my Tutor?
- All tutoring takes place in the Black Cultural Center. Any exceptions must be approved by the Coordinator of Academic Support.
What is expected of me (Tutee)?
- I will sign a commitment statement for the semester to ensure your Tutor is rewarded for the time they have committed to assisting you. Be punctual and communicate any changes/cancellations in tutoring status to your tutor. Be prepared for the session with writing materials, books, notes, questions, etc... Be respectful of the tutoring environment and avoid any noise or distraction to yourself or other students. Complete an evaluation form and provide feedback regarding your Tutor.
What can you expect from your Tutor?
- Your Tutor in your course has outstanding academic credentials and success and a recommendation from a faculty member to be an effective tutor. Proficiency in your subject area. They may not be able to answer every question but they have sound fundamental knowledge of your requested subject area. Your Tutor should provide feedback on your progress throughout the tutoring sessions. Your Tutor receives additional training on techniques to enhance the tutoring process.
What happens if I miss my tutoring appointment?
- It is the student's responsibility to notify their Tutor if they are unable to attend the tutoring session. Students who miss two consecutive session without notifying their Tutor or miss three sessions within a semester will no longer be able to receive tutoring services.
How long are the tutoring sessions?
- Students can be tutored up to two hours per subject per week for a total of four hours. Students must sign a commitment statement that they will attend tutoring for the semester.
How can I become a Tutor?
- Tutoring applications are available online and at the Office of Minority Student Affairs. We also require a recommendation (by letter or email) from a faculty member in the subject you are interested in tutoring and a copy of your transcript indicating a "B" minimum in your subject area.
Contact
Office of Minority Student Affairs
Academic Support Unit
1800 Melrose Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37996-4200
Phone: (865) 974-6861
Fax: (865) 974-0888
Email: omsa@utk.edu