The programs and services offered by the department are designed to support the academic process. The Department of Academic Services conducts multifaceted operations.  The following academic services, coordinated by the Department of Academic Services, are provided to students without charge.  Further information may be obtained in Room 106, Bailey Library.

SERVICES FOR STUDENTS IDENTIFIED IN NEED OF ACADEMIC SUPPORT

The Department of Academic Services recognizes that students entering college are characterized by diversity, not only in age and maturity, social background, ethnicity, and language, but in ability, academic preparation, and in general readiness for the college experience.  Research (Maxwell, 1994) shows that only 1/3 of high school students enroll in college-prep courses, and students greatly underestimate the amount of study time required for college courses.  Students whose high school ACT or SAT, class rank, course selection, and QPA indicate inconsistency (for a multiplicity of reasons) are identified in need of academic support.

The department provides academic support services to students in need through both grant-funded and university-supported programs:  

The state funded ACT 101 Program addresses the academic needs of incoming first-year and transfer students from Pennsylvania meeting PDE guidelines.

The Students Support Services Program (SSSP) is federally-funded and addresses the needs of students on probation or returning from suspension.

FYRST's Academic Support Program serves first year students not grant-eligible by connecting support among the student, advisor, and program.

Depending upon student need, support services can include placement assessments, orientation, appropriate course scheduling, proactive advisement, classroom instruction, peer tutoring, supplemental instruction, and peer assistance.

ACADEMIC ADVISEMENT CENTER

The Academic Advisement Center serves to coordinate the University's advisement activities, the Exploratory Program, and the First Year Studies Program (FYRST) advisement.  Through a system of department liaisons, the coordinator communicates with the faculty, who serve as academic advisors. Advisor training, coordination of the academic portion of new student orientation, developing advisor and student advising resources, conducting student advising information workshops, and involvement in retention related activities are typical responsibilities of the Advisement Center.  You can e-mail questions to academic.advisor@sru.edu.

TUTORIAL CENTER

Students enrolled in most first and second-year level coursework are eligible to receive peer tutoring. The tutors are upperclassmen who have earned an "A" or "B" in the class(es) for which they tutor and have been recommended by at least two faculty members.  Each semester, over one thousand students typically avail themselves to the individual and group tutoring opportunities at the Tutorial Center.  The Tutorial Center also offers free materials on making the transition to college, time management, effective reading, test preparation, test taking, note taking, and academic advisement.

COLLEGE SKILLS WORKSHOPS

During the fall and spring semesters, the Academic Services Department offers a series of workshops designed to improve students' learning skills.  All students are  eligible to participate in the workshops on such topics as managing time, taking effective class notes, reading your text, building a strong memory, increasing your test-taking skills, and preparing for final examinations.