CFAA - Tutoring

Frequently Asked Questions

• Who do you tutor?

  Tutoring resources are available to all ETSU students, faculty, and staff.
• How much does it cost?

  Tutoring is FREE for all currently-enrolled ETSU students, faculty, and staff.
• What courses do you tutor?

  The Center employs tutors capable of tutoring in three broad academic areas--writing, mathematics, and the natural sciences--along with most general education courses. In addition, our staff members can tutor any course that they have earned a B+ or better in and that they feel comfortable and capable of tutoring.
•  Who are the CFAA’s tutors?

  Tutors are undergraduates, graduates, and professional tutors, from a variety of majors and backgrounds. All participate in general tutoring training as well as ongoing professional development in their discipline.

•  What are your services?

  We offer a variety of services to suit the learning needs of ETSU's diverse student population. These include Individual Tutoring, Supplemental Instruction (SI), and Academic Coaching.

  
  Individual Tutoring: Individual tutoring is available on a walk-in and appointment basis. Walk-ins are accepted if appropriate staff members are available. Individual tutoring is available in the broad areas of mathmatics, writing, and natural sciences, along with most general education courses.

  
  Supplemental Instruction (SI): SI is a structured study group designed to help students achieve success in "historically difficult" courses: those courses with consistently high rates of D's, F's, and W's (Withdrawals). The SI sessions are free and open to all students enrolled in the supported courses. A trained SI leader will facilitate three hour-long sessions per week, focusing on difficult course content and engaging students using active learning strategies. Weekly SI sessions serve to reinforce course material, clarify confusing concepts, and approach course material from a fun and engaging perspective.

  Academic Coaching: Academic Coaching gives students an opportunity to become a VIB (Very Important Buccaneer)!  VIBs are paired with academic coaches who will meet weekly with students to provide support and tips on everything from transitioning to ETSU to being successful inside the classroom. Coaches help students develop the skills they need to be academically successful while increasing students' confidence and motivation. Academic coaching is for everyone as we all benefit from having a peer who can help answer our questions, troubleshoot issues as they arise, and have our backs. Additionally, students who participate in coaching receive access to perks and exclusive events.

• What information should students know before making an appointment to see a tutor?

   The following information is part of the "tutoring contract" that students agree to when accepting our assistance:

  The tutor will not do my work for me. The tutor's job is to assist me in mastering course material and developing my skills by providing examples, asking questions, pointing out areas for improvement, engaging in a dialogue about my subject matter, and/or discussing study strategies and techniques.

  The tutor is not responsible for my grade; the tutor is also not able to forecast the grade my instructor will give me.

  While I may request a specific tutor, I am not guaranteed to be able to work with him or her every time.

  I will come to my session adequately prepared, with necessary materials, and take an active role in the session.

   

  Learning is a process that takes time and consists of numerous stages. In order to make the best use of the CFAA’s tutoring services, I should visit early and often.

  I am aware that I am limited to one tutoring session per subject per day.

  If I schedule an appointment, it is my responsibility to call and cancel or re-schedule if I can’t make it; after two missed appointments, I will no longer be permitted to make appointments during that term.

   

• Can we tutor high school students who are dual-enrolled in ETSU courses?

  Yes. Dual-enrolled students are treated the same as any other ETSU students.
• When are tutoring and other services available?

  Tutoring begins the second week of classes each semester. 

  Supplemental Instruction and Academic Coaching begin the first week of class. 

• Are appointments required?

  Appointments are required for academic coaching and strongly encouraged for individual tutoring. Although it is often possible to walk-in and get an appointment immediately, especially near the beginning of the term, students with advance appointments have priority. You can make an appointment in Navigate

  Supplemental Instruction does not require advance appointments; the drop-in schedules are posted on the Supplemental Instruction page and updated regularly.

• How does a client request a tutor or register for other services?

  No need to register!  Visit our service pages to find out how to schedule an appointment. 

•  How do clients schedule appointments?

   Clients can call the Center (439-7111) to make an appointment or make their own appointments online at Navigate. 
• How far in advance do appointment have to be made?

  Students can call the Center (439-7111) to make an appointment at any time the CFAA is open. Students making their own appointments online, however, are prohibited from making appointments more than two weeks in advance; they are also prohibited from making back-to-back appointments.
•  Can students cancel or re-schedule appointments?

  Students can cancel or reschedule their appointments online up to 4 hours before the appointment is scheduled. If they want to cancel or reschedule less than 4 hours before the appointment, they will be blocked from altering the appointment online and prompted to call the Center to cancel the appointment. This is so that the Front Desk staff is made aware that an appointment time has opened up. Call 439-7111 to cancel or reschedule an appointment.
•  What happens when a student doesn’t show for an appointment?

  Students who are 10 minutes late are considered "no shows" and their appointment reports are marked accordingly. They are sent an email warning them that after two no-shows in one semester their account will be locked and they will be unable to make any new appointments; this may be appealed, in person, to the CFAA Director or Assistant Director.
•  What if a client is late?

  If a student is running late, the tutor will remain available for 10 minutes before they are reassigned to a waiting student. Session time cannot be made up – the session will still end at the appointed time.
•  Do clients with appointments have priority over walk-ins?

   Students with appointments are our first priority. However, we will make every effort to take walk-ins.
• How long are individual tutoring sessions?

  Appointments are scheduled in hour-long blocks, but sessions are limited to 45-50 minutes. The additional 10 minutes is necessary so that our tutors can submit Client Reports and have a short break between sessions.

For further questions, visit our front desk located on the first floor of Sherrod Library, call us at (423) 439-7111, or email us at learning@etsu.edu.