Expectations of Tutors

  1. Tutors are expected to begin tutoring at the times listed on the schedule. Arrive a few minutes early if you need to get organized or want to check e-mail. If you are late or are going to miss a scheduled time, you must let the Tutorial Center manager know.
  2. If you need to be absent for a shift, it is your responsibility to find someone to cover your shift! You can access the tutor contact list and shift schedule on the course webpages.
  3. When you arrive, please sign-in on the clipboard in the Tutorial Center (FOX152). Find your nametag on the display.
  4. After you sign in, put your nametag on. Return your nametag to the display at the end of your shift.
  5. Before you leave, make sure the tutor for the next shift is ready to work. If the next TA is late by longer than you can remain to cover for them, please let the Tutorial Center manager know.
  6. Greet ALL students as they enter the Center. Even if you are helping another student, you should acknowledge the student and let them know that you will be able to help them in a few minutes.
  7. If you must leave the center for any reason during your shift, never leave for more than 5 minutes.
  8. Tutors should make every effort to ensure that students sign-in when they arrive at the tutorial center. We need this information to know how much the center is being used. This may allow us to help them in the order they arrived.
  9. Do your best to remember the order you are helping students. You may need to rotate and help students a second or third time before starting to work with the next student.
  10. Do not work with one student for more than 5 minutes without checking in with the other students. If the students are all in the same class, consider working as a group. If there are several students needing your attention, you will not be able to spend much time with any one student.
  11. If you do not know the answer to a student’s question, refer them to their professor, TA, textbook, or another tutor. Do not feel that you need to have ALL the answers ALL the time. It is better to refer them to another resource than to answer their question incorrectly. In addition, if you think you can help a student who is waiting for another tutor, please do so.
  12. ALWAYS remain hospitable, patient, and positive with students while making expectations clear. Through your interactions with them, let them know what you anticipate on their next visit i.e. “I think that your notes would be an excellent reference for us to use when you come in next time, so why don’t you plan on bringing them?”
  13. If you have any communication or discipline problems in the CTC, handle them in the most mature way you know how. If you are having trouble understanding the student or the student is having trouble understanding you, get help!
  14. NEVER talk negatively about a student or any tutoring situation while in the tutorial center.
  15. ALWAYS support the instructor. Many students will come in complaining about some situation from lecture. Don’t join in even if you agree with their complaints. We do not want the CTC to become a place where students come to unload their frustrations!
  16. Tutors should do their best to help students without automatically spilling the answer. They will most likely forget what you tell them anyway. It is better for them to discover the answer on their own. Guide them while letting them write their work out. If this fails, try doing an example and then let them work their problem. You should not be doing 10 homework problems with students if they all reinforce a similar skill. Consider doing one or two problems together, then letting them work independently.
  17. Help keep the Center clean and stocked. Before you leave, make sure tables are clear of trash & wipe off the whiteboard. If there is ever anything needed in the CTC (ex. paper, pens, reference books) please let someone in the General Chemistry Stockroom (Fox 228) or Dr. Petrovich (Fox 248) know the need.
  18. If you work the last shift of the day, turn the lights off and make sure the door is locked.
  19. If you have an emergency, call 911 for immediate life/safety assistance. For non-emergencies or if an escort is needed, call Campus Police at 515-3000.