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University Learning and Writing Centers

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Male student tutors female student at Commonwealth University - Bloomsburg Writing Center
Contact Information

The University Learning Centers at Commonwealth University offer peer tutoring (content and writing support), supplemental instruction, and academic coaching for undergraduate students.

Our mission is to assist Commonwealth University undergraduates in experiencing learning success, to help student clients (tutees) to strengthen their academic performance, to provide individualized assistance, to foster interest in courses, and to aid tutees in achieving learning independence.

The link below takes you to CUSucceed where you can schedule in person tutoring appointments at your home campus or zoom tutoring appointments at any campus.

I need a tutor

Center Locations, Schedules, and Contact Information

Contact Information

Services offered to students Spring 2025

Director

Secretary

WALES supports Commonwealth University students in reading comprehension and writing. We can work with students via Zoom or face to face in the Bakeless Center for Humanities, room 206. For students who cannot work with us in real time, we also offer asynchronous support for which students submit their written work and receive feedback within 48 hours.

Individual drop-in or scheduled sessions

The Writing and Literacy Engagement Studio (WALES) enjoys easing the writing process for all Commonwealth University students from any campus and from every major. We're a free resource that offers peer support for undergraduate and graduate writers at any stage of their reading and writing process.

We're a diverse staff of peer writing consultants who represent a variety of backgrounds and majors and share the common goal of working with you to develop your skills and help you grow as a writer or a reader. You set the agenda for the appointment — whether you're concerned about getting started, or about clarity, grammar, organization, citations, or any other aspect of writing or the English language.

WALES Support for Spring 2025

WALES Consultants can work either in person or via Zoom during most of our hours, but night and weekend hours are available only via Zoom. We also offer asynchronous support for students who cannot work with us in real time.

Spring Hours for In-Person or Remote Support

  • Weekday Hours
    In person in Bakeless 206 or via Zoom
    • Mondays - Thursdays: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
    • Fridays: 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
  • Evening and Weekend Hours
    In the Learning Center on the 3rd floor of the Andruss Library or via Zoom
    • Monday - Thursday evenings: 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm
    • Sundays: 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm

How to Make an In-Person or Remote Appointment

Students can schedule to work with us through CU Succeed, which should be linked through BrightSpace for each course. They can also drop into Bakeless 206 or email wales@commonwealthu.edu to request an appointment.

Asynchronous Support

For students whose schedule does not permit working with us in real time, we offer asynchronous support. Students should complete our intake form to provide information about their writing situation as well as their current draft. They will receive feedback on their draft within 48 hours.

Reading and Writing with Sources (RWWS) Workshop

Our Reading and Writing with Sources Workshop helps students avoid the kinds of citation practices that many students are unaware constitute what their faculty consider to be plagiarism. Data collected from these workshops indicate that prior to attending the workshop, most students misused sources without realizing they were doing so in ways most faculty consider a form of plagiarism.

We offer RWWS workshops in classrooms upon faculty request but also remotely via Zoom several evenings during the semester. Students can sign up to attend an evening RWWS workshop through CU Succeed, which should be linked through BrightSpace for each course. They can also drop into Bakeless 206 or email wales@commonwealthu.edu to register.

Peer Research Consultants

Who are Peer Research Consultants?

Peer Research Consultants (PRCs) are students hired and trained through The North Hall Library and The MU Learning Center. The purpose of PRCs is to support Commonwealth University students with written research projects by providing research assistance and information about library and Learning Center services and resources. PRCs engage with other students one-on-one, in small groups, with other tutors, and librarians.

What can Peer Research Consultants help me with?
  • Research assistance may include:
    • using the library catalog,
    • simple database searching,
    • locating library materials,
    • peer-level guidance on planning and executing written research projects, and
    • referrals to library and other faculty when additional support is needed.
Want to work with a Peer Research Consultant?

Students can to schedule to work with a Peer Research Consulting using CU Succeed or they can use the contact information below to request an appointment. If you have any questions about Peer Research Consultants, please reach out to Holly Jackson, Student Success Librarian at hjackson@mansfield.edu or 570-662-4688 or Dr. Chris Cummings, Learning Center Director at ccumming@mansfield.edu or 570-662-4828.

Additional Resources for Writers

General Contact

Director

The Betty B. Schantz Tutorial Center

Betty B. Schantz was a long-time supporter of her Alma Mater. In 2008, Betty designated development funds that she had raised for support of Tutorial Services. This support enabled Lock Haven University to establish the Betty B. Schantz Tutorial Center. This Betty B. Schantz Tutorial Center, which started in the former library at East Campus, is now located and thrives in the Stephanie A. Wollock Learning Commons on the second floor of the Stevenson Library.

Spring 2025 Hours

  • In person writing hours
    • Mondays 9 AM - 12:30 PM
    • Tuesdays 11 AM - 1 PM and 2 PM - 6 PM
    • Wednesdays 9 AM - 12:30 PM
    • Thursdays 11 AM - 1 PM and 2 PM - 6 PM
    • Fridays None
  • Math Center Robinson 409 hours

General Contact

Director

Services Offered to Students Spring 2025

Appointments can be scheduled through CU Succeed or by contacting Dr. Cummings at ccumming@commonwealthu.edu.

Spring 2025 Newsletter for Students, Faculty & Staff

General Contact

Descriptions of Services Provided

Our University Learning Centers offer peer tutoring, supplemental Instruction, and academic coaching during fall and spring semesters. NetTutor is our online tutoring service and is available to students during all semesters including summer and winter.

Scheduled Peer Tutoring

Scheduled peer tutoring for specific courses can be set up through CU Succeed before 5 p.m. the day before the session. Students can see the availability of tutors who support the courses they are taking and schedule appointments directly in the CU Succeed system. Peer tutoring appointments take place in the Learning Center (SSC119). Some tutors are available to meet with students via Zoom. Please contact us at tutoring@commonwealthu.edu to see if your tutor is available to meet online.

Drop-In Tutoring

Drop-In Tutoring is an alternative to scheduled Peer Tutoring that allows students to meet with our tutors for sessions during their scheduled open hours. Drop-in tutors have scheduled drop-in hours throughout the week which allows students who need help in courses they offer to simply stop by the Learning Center and get the help they need. We are currently offering drop-in tutoring for Math, Biology, Chemistry, Psychology, Nursing, Computer Science, and a few other fields of study. If available on your campus, Drop-in Tutoring schedules for Bloomsburg, Lock haven, and Mansfield can be reviewed from each campus’s drop-down list under Center Locations, Schedules, and Contact Information above.

WALES, the Writing and Literacy Engagement Studio, supports Commonwealth University students in reading comprehension and writing. We can work with students via Zoom or face to face in the Bloomsburg campus, Bakeless Center for Humanities, room 206.

For students who cannot work with us in real time, we also offer asynchronous support for which students submit their written work and receive feedback within 48 hours. We also offer our Reading and Writing with Sources workshop several evenings via Zoom.

What is SI?

Supplemental Instruction (SI) is a series of weekly review sessions for students in selected courses. SI is provided for all students who want to improve their understanding of course material and improve their grades. For you the student, it’s a chance to get together with people in your class to compare notes, to discuss important concepts, to develop strategies for studying the subject, and to test yourselves before your professor does, so that when he/she does, you’ll be ready. At each session you will be guided through this material by your SI leader, a competent student who has previously taken the course.

What’s an SI leader?

Have you ever wished you could do something over, knowing what you know now? SI leaders are students themselves who are prepared to share with you what they have learned over the years about how to study. They know the course content and are anxious to help guide you through it. They’ll be in class with you every day, hearing what you hear and reading what you read. What they won’t do is lecture; their job is to help you think about the lectures you hear and the books you read, and then put it all together during the SI review sessions. SI can help you learn course material more efficiently.

When do SI review sessions start?

SI sessions begin the second week of class and continue until the last week of class each semester. Most courses will not have review sessions during finals week. The sessions will be held the same days/times/locations every week. Each session will be different because you’ll have new material to discuss. SI review sessions are informal. Bring your notes; bring your textbook; bring your questions.

What’s in it for me?

Students that attend SI sessions tend to earn (on average) a better grade than those who do not attend. You’ll have developed a better understanding of course content as well as more effective ways of studying. This will help you in other classes also.

When are SI sessions held?

SI session schedules for Bloomsburg, Lock haven, and Mansfield can be reviewed from each campus’s drop-down list under Center Locations, Schedules, and Contact Information above. 

What if I need help in a course that is not supported by Supplemental Learning this semester?

If your course is not supported by SI this semester, we highly recommend that you visit your campus’s Learning/Tutorial Center, which offers free peer tutoring services for Commonwealth University students.

What is Academic Coaching?

Academic Coaching is one on one support assisting with general study strategies- time management, note taking, studying for exams. This is offered in person at BU campus only at the Bloomsburg Learning Center (AL306). Our coaches are available remotely via Zoom for MU and LHU students. Students can schedule a coach via CU Succeed or requesting an appointment at the Bloomsburg Learning Center.

Academic Coach Bios

Who are Peer Research Consultants?

Peer Research Consultants (PRCs) are students hired and trained through The North Hall Library and The Mansfield Learning Center. The purpose of PRCs is to support Mansfield / Commonwealth University students with written research projects by providing research assistance and information about library and Learning Center services and resources. PRCs engage with other students one-on-one, in small groups, with other tutors, and librarians.  For Commonwealth students at Lock Haven or Bloomsburg, sessions can be scheduled via zoom.

What can Peer Research Consultants help me with?

Research assistance may include:
  • using the library catalog,
  • simple database searching,
  • locating library materials,
  • peer-level guidance on planning and executing written research projects, and
  • referrals to library and other faculty when additional support is needed

Want to work with a Peer Research Consultant?

Find out more information about them and how to book an appointment at library.commonwealthu.edu/prcs

NetTutor

Students unable to connect with a peer tutor should work with NetTutor for support. Students can link to it directly from the home page in Brightspace. Many subjects are staffed 24/7 by professional tutors and all others have generous hours of availability.

More information can be found in the NetTutor Quick Reference Guide.

All content areas are available, including:
  • accounting
  • anthropology
  • biology
  • business
  • chemistry
  • computer science
  • economics
  • finance
  • languages 
  • marketing
  • math
  • physics
  • political science 
  • psychology

And plenty more!

Resources

Information coming soon.

Tutors are needed in many courses of study. There is a high need in the areas of English/language arts, math, and science. If you done well in previous courses and like to help people, we could use you as a tutor. These are paid positions and look great on a resume. Come join our team!

Tutor small groups weekly or individuals on a drop-in basis. This is a terrific opportunity to convey knowledge you have acquired and excellent experience to add to your resume!

If you are interested in becoming a tutor, contact the learning center director on your Commonwealth University Campus.

  • Requirements to be a Subject Based Tutor
    • Have an overall 3.0 GPA
    • Have an A or B in the course(s) you wish to tutor

*If you work at another cost code on campus, remember you can have a maximum of two jobs and work a combined total of 20 hours per week.

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