Tutorial center challenges
While I share the disappointment expressed in your August 21st lead article “Foreign language tutors cut, students react”, it is important that your readers know how and why the decision was made.
Last spring the Undergraduate Tutorial Center (UTC), a unit within the Division of Undergraduate Academic Programs (DUAP), experienced significant permanent budget reductions. Therefore, it was necessary for the UTC to reduce some of its services for future academic years. These difficult decisions were made intentionally as we studied the past demand for our services.
The result is that reduced resources are being directed towards the four highest demand subjects: chemistry, math, physics and writing/speaking in the English language. Math, chemistry and physics accounted for more than 1,100 tutoring by appointment requests that we received during the fall 2008 semester. In addition, we served nearly 1,200 students through Supplemental Instruction (SI) and 350 students in our Writing and Speaking Tutorial Services. In contrast, there were approximately 300 total requests for other subjects, including foreign languages, statistics, economics, accounting and biology.
This change does mean that there will no longer be services for previously offered subjects, including foreign languages at the 100- and 200-level (we have never provided tutors at the 300-level).
In April 2009 we informed the CHASS administration and faculty about this decision. We also informed Technician through a press release on 4/23/09. It was disappointing this information did not appear in the paper at that time.
Unfortunately, the global financial situation continues to impact units on campus in unfavorable ways. We are all experiencing unprecedented challenges. Nevertheless, the UTC continues to be committed to focusing on our core mission of helping undergraduate students become independent learners through academic support in N.C. State’s highest demand courses.
Barbara B. Windom
director, Undergraduate Tutorial Center
