Tutoring Program at Mabee Library:
University Tutoring & Writing Center
Tutor Orientation Handbook
At Mabee, we don’t just house books, we house learning!
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Dear Tutor:
January 2014
The Center for Student Success in Mabee Library is pleased that you have agreed to tutor for our
program. As a peer tutor, you will provide individual one-on-one tutoring and may work with a small
group of students who share a class. Your contribution to the student’s experience is very significant. Not
only are you providing academic help, you may also be providing the intangible link that keeps a student
engaged with the university.
The most important ingredient in an effective tutoring program is the tutor. You have been carefully
selected from applicants with above average academic abilities and recommendations. Each of you brings
special talents for understanding and interpreting subject material. We plan to provide some professional
development and training for you along the way.
As of this writing, the renovations in our new location (Mabee #308) are almost complete. Now that we
have a new home, I hope we can expand our services to more students in a variety of ways. You will be a
critical part of this project. I am excited to be part of this new initiative and I think it will be a positive
experience for you as well. Thank you for your time and effort in helping students in their quest for
higher education. I am sure we will do great things as we work to help Washburn students succeed!
Sincerely,
Ann Callies
Program Director
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Peer Tutoring Qualifications & Commitment Contract
The Tutoring Program at Mabee Library provides individualized and group tutorial assistance to help
students develop the academic and study skills necessary for success in the college classroom.
Job Description:
Tutors work with students in a one-on-one or small group basis. The main expectation is to support or supplement
regular classroom instruction. Tutors report to the director or supervising tutor. A tutor is considered a role model
and has a major impact on the success of students receiving tutoring. A tutor is expected to be dependable,
responsible, and trustworthy. Tutors must show patience and encouragement through the learning process, and
respect individual differences. Tutors may have access to confidential information and must respect that privilege.
Qualifications:
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To be eligible to tutor in a particular course area, students must have a 3.0 GPA in that area.
A cumulative GPA of at least 2.7.
Excellent interpersonal, communication, & study skills. Ability to work well with a diverse student
population.
Dependability, ability to work independently.
Hours: Work hours will be arranged before the semester starts and established during our big orientation
meeting. We prefer that you work a minimum of 2 hour shifts. You will be paid for hours on the job, training, and
staff meetings.
Compensation: $7.25/hour
General Guidelines:
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Greet every student when they walk in the center.
Make sure each student signs in.
Briefly get a sense of the reason(s) the student is here. Ask questions, review any readings, homework
assignments, and quizzes/tests the student has so that you may be more effective in helping.
Be patient and understanding, offer praise and encouragement when warranted.
Wear your tutoring name tag. It indicates you are on the clock.
If nobody shows up to take their next shift, contact Ann or a supervising tutor ASAP.
When assisting a student in a field that is not in your specialty, point them in the right direction.
No headphones, gaming, face-timing/skyping or watching movies/videos while students are present.
Confidentiality and Privacy Policy: When hired as a tutor you are required to sign an “acknowledgement of
privacy act” form to ensure our students’ confidentiality. No information should be shared outside the tutoring
sessions except with professional staff. When a student is experiencing emotional, physical or personal
difficulties, please refer them to the appropriate resources or talk to the staff.
I understand and agree to adhere to this tutoring commitment to the best of my abilities during the
_________________________, 20_______ semester.
______________________________________________
________________________________________________
Tutor Signature
Date
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Acknowledgement of Privacy Act
In the course of my duties with the Tutoring Program at Mabee Library at Washburn University, I may
have access to records and information containing individually identifiable material that is protected
from unauthorized disclosure by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). I hereby
acknowledge that I fully understand that the willful or intentional disclosure, by me, of this information
to any unauthorized person could subject me to criminal and civil penalties imposed by law. I further
acknowledge that such willful or intentional unauthorized disclosure is also against the policy of the
Tutoring Program at Mabee Library and could constitute cause for my dismissal regardless of whether
criminal or civil penalties are imposed.
Signature:_____________________________________________
Date: _________________________________________
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General Information
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A tutor is expected to wear the name badge when working.
o You may keep your name badge in the tutoring center.
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Each tutor has a "mailbox." This is a folder kept in the file box in the tutoring center. Most of our
communications will occur in person, via e-mail or text message, but please check your physical
mailbox when you are on duty.
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Any announcements will be posted on the bulletin board.
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Each day you work, please sign in and out. This way we can confirm the payroll hours submitted
online.
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If you need a substitute for a temporary/permanent shift change, please contact your
colleagues/Ann to find a replacement as soon as possible.
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Please hang on to this manual (feel free to file it in your mailbox folder)!
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We have monthly staff meetings (with free food!). Anytime you attend a staff meeting, please
count that time as "working" so that you are paid for it.
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Reporting of hours worked: Please be sure to record your tutor hours accurately. The payroll
calendar is included in this handbook.
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Final Exam Week: Tutors may arrange to work during final exams week if they choose. Mabee
Library will be open 24 x 7. If you are simply too busy studying for your own exams, you do not
have to work.
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Mabee Library Tutoring Standards
1. Sign In
List the class/reason you’re here and what you need help on.
2. Check the Schedule
Tutors have different specialties and different shifts; not all subjects are covered during all
tutoring hours -- check the schedule online or in the library.
3. Peer Tutors
While we are knowledgeable, we don’t know everything. We don’t guarantee grades, or
that we will always be correct.
4. Guide Your Learning
We will help you work through concepts, suggest ways to approach or fix problems, and
help improve your study skills. We will not do problems for you, or give you answers.
5. Come Prepared
Attend class, take notes, read the textbook, try the homework, etc...
6. Improve Your Learning
We will encourage you to work on your own after some assistance so that you can improve your
learning, and so that others can receive help.
7. Share the Tutors
Since we’re drop-in, tutors have to help all students; we appreciate your patience!
8. Respect Each Other
Students and tutors will treat each other with respect and kindness. Maintain personal space
when working with others. Stay on topic (remember you are here for academics). Keep
conversations academically based.
9. Help Reduce Noise
Silence your cell phone, take calls outside the center, and keep your voice at an indoor level to
respect others’ learning.
10. Computer Use
Computers are for quantitative use. Please do not play games on them, check your
Facebook status, watch YouTube videos, etc...
11. Clean Up
Please clean up after yourself before you leave.
Failure to comply with these standards could result in your removal from the tutoring center/prevent
you from receiving assistance.
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About Me
________________________________________________
Name (First & Last)
[picture]
Home town:_______________________________________________
Year in School: _________________________________________
Major: _____________________________________________________
Date Started Tutoring Job: _____________________________
Subject Areas in Which I Can Tutor: ___________________________________________________________________________________________
Interests/Organizations: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Interesting Fact About Me: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
E-mail Address: _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Phone #: ___________________________________________________
Do you text? Yes / No (please circle)
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Tutor's Code of Ethics
1. Subject proficiency and knowledge are a top priority in my task as a tutor.
2. My major motivation is building my student's self-confidence.
3. My student receives my total attention.
4. The language we share is mutually understandable.
5. I am able to admit my own weaknesses and seek assistance.
6. I respect my student's personal dignity and accept it without judgment.
7. I encourage my students without false hope or flattery.
8. I strive for mutual openness and honesty as a tutor.
9. I do not impose my personal values or lifestyle upon my students.
10. I do not use tutoring time to proselytize my belief system.
--Source unknown
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