WORKING IN
THE ARC
A Guide for New Tutors
CONGRATULATIONS!
You've been hired as a tutor for the Academic Resource Center
(ARC) and are now a part of our team! Before you begin this
challenging and rewarding job, there are a few rules, procedures,
and tips you must know in order to be the best tutor you can be
starting on Day 1!
Please carefully read all information in this PowerPoint so you
can sign the “orientation completion form” at the end.
QUESTIONS
If you have any questions, please contact the ARC Staff:
Coordinator Linda Zilgme
Lbzilgme@buffalo.edu
Administrative Assistant Brenda Reed
bdreed@buffalo.edu
Graduate Assistant Marcus Epps
arctutor@buffalo.edu
TABLE OF CONTENTS
General information about the ARC
 Tutoring Procedures
 Tutor Training
 Tutoring Tips & Strategies
 Filling out paperwork and getting paid
 Final thoughts

WHO CAN USE THE ARC?
Only Cora P. Maloney College (CPMC) students (listed in the
programs below) are eligible to use the ARC and tutoring services.
Check our website www.cpmc.buffalo.edu for more information.
ACE: Access to College Excellence Program
ACKER: Daniel Acker Scholars Program
CSTEP: Collegiate Science & Technology Entry Program
EOP: Arthur O. Eve Educational Opportunity Program
McNair Scholars: Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement
Program
SSS: Student Support Services
UB-STEM: UB Science
ARC TUTORING OPTIONS:

Individual Tutoring – Students set up an appointment to meet
with a tutor for one-on-one assistance.

Walk-In Hours – Tutors have regular lab hours to offer immediate
assistance in various subjects.

Academic Coach – An AC assists students with getting organized,
time management, and study skills to help them reach their
fullest potential.

Study Groups – A tutor would set up a structured group study
session for students taking the same course.
APPOINTMENT / WALK-IN TUTORS
Appointment Tutor: You will either be emailed a list of students
assigned to you or you will be given access to a google docs link
where you will have access to all students requesting a tutor. On the
link you will then print your name next to an open tutee. (Assigning
yourself).
Once assigned contact your tutees within 48 hours to set up an
appointment.
.
Walk-In Tutor: Some tutors will be assigned walk-in hours .
Walk-in hours are typically 2-3 hr shifts, M- F, between the
hours of 12 – 6 (our busiest time). Walk-in tutors can also
take appointments.
EXAMPLE OF EMAIL – CONTACTING A TUTEE
Hello “New Tutee”,
I have been assigned as your tutor for the following course: PSY 250
I am looking forward for a very productive semester to engage you in
your learning and supplement your attendance in lecture to help you
succeed this semester. Students who perform above average usually
meet with their tutors once a week for each class and sometimes twice
a week when there is an exam.
I would like to meet with you ASAP so we can get started and kick off
the semester strong. Please send me your schedule of availability ASAP
so that I can set a block of time aside each week to assist you in your
course materials.
Thanks so much and I look forward to hearing from you.
Best,
Nick
APPOINTMENT TUTORING PROCEDURES:

After receiving your assigned tutee(s),
 Contact the tutee by email within 24 hours to make an appointment
(example email was on previous slide)
 After appointment has been made, arrive a few minutes early in the ARC
(remember that all tutoring must take place in the ARC).
 Log in at the front desk kiosk. (Directions are posted next to the kiosk).
 Walk to the back of the ARC and pick up your name plate (remember to
have your name plate in plain view so that your tutee can find you) and a
blank verification form and Tutor / Tutee contract. (shown on slide 12)
 Find a table and wait for your tutee.
 After the tutoring session, place your completed daily verification form in
Back box by the copier and back desk.
 When leaving, return your name plate to the back and log out at the kiosk.
WALK-IN TUTORING PROCEDURES:

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Arrive in the ARC a few minutes before your shift.
Log in at the front desk kiosk (read directions on the sign posted).
Walk to the back of the ARC and pick up your name plate (remember to have
your name plate in plain view so that students know what subject(s) you are
tutoring) and a blank verification form.
Make sure to record properly, “group tutoring or individual tutoring” (group
tutoring is two or more students, even in different subjects).
Each tutoring session is limited to no more than one hour.
Find a table and wait for walk-in students.
After the tutoring session, place your completed daily verification form in
Black inbox by the copier and back desk.
When leaving, return your name plate to the back and log out at the kiosk.
WHAT IS AN ACADEMIC COACH?
An Academic Coach Concentrates on the Four S’s
 Skills- Study and test taking tips
 Structure- organization and time management
 Support- focus, motivation, and accountability
 Success- connect your goals to your college life
Why do students need an Academic Coach?
 To Build Confidence
 To Get Organized
 To Believe in Themselves
 To Get Connected to Campus Resources
 To Receive Strategies for Learning
 To Vent and Discuss Frustrations
At the first meeting sign
the Tutor/Tutee contact.
Use the contract for all
weekly or bi-weekly
appointments. This
contract should be
reviewed in detail at the
first tutoring session.
The top portion goes to
the tutee and the bottom
is kept by the ARC. Place
bottom portion in the
box outside my office.
.
IMPORTANT POINTS ABOUT TUTORING

Tutoring sessions run in 15 minute increments, never
exceeding one hour.

A tutor can not exceed 30 hours in a two week pay
period.

The tutor should encourage the tutee to bring all of
their notes and textbooks to all tutoring sessions.

The tutor should encourage the tutee to schedule
weekly appointments for the most benefit.

The tutor should encourage all students to attend their
courses and office hours.
TUTOR TRAINING
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All new tutors must participate in a mandatory Saturday workshop
held at the beginning of their first semester of tutoring.
Three to four additional workshops for certification will be held each
semester. Information will be sent out via email and posted.
Additional Life and Learning workshops qualify for tutoring
certification. Check with Linda to make sure the workshop is
acceptable. Workshops can be found at www.workshops.buffalo.edu
.
A training verification form should be completed after attending any
tutor training workshop. Completed forms are turned in to Linda.
A 1 credit MFC 200 online tutoring course is offered in the spring
semester which counts towards CRLA Certification. Register for the
course using HUB.
CRLA TUTOR CERTIFICATION
There are many benefits to becoming a certified tutor. This
qualification offered by the College Reading and Learning
Association is recognized Internationally and is a great addition
to a tutor’s résumé or CV.
Level I- Regular Tutor – 10 hours of training, 25 hours of
tutoring, and an observation.
Level II- Advanced Tutor – 10 additional hours of training,
including creating a workshop.
Level III- Master Tutor – 10 additional hours of training,
including creating and presenting workshop(s).
CRLA TUTOR CERTIFICATION

We encourage all of our tutors to attain at least
Level I
CRLA certification.

Upon completing these requirements, a short application (found
under Tutor Resources on the ARC website
http://www.cpmc.buffalo.edu/tutoring/tutor/index.php) must
be completed and returned to Linda.

The certificate of completion will be printed out and placed in
your mailbox.
TIPS ON BEING A GREAT TUTOR
While all tutors have their own style of tutoring, there are still
some commonalities in every tutoring session. For example:

Introducing yourself and finding out a bit about your tutee.

Pinpointing exactly what your tutee needs help with by
asking questions.

Testing for comprehension by asking open-ended questions.

Before ending the tutoring session, setting up the next
appointment.
TUTOR CYCLE
For detailed
information about
the tutoring cycle,
click on the link
below:
http://www20.csueastbay.edu/library/scaa/files/pdf/tutor%20resources/tutor%20cycle.pdf
TIPS ON BEING A GREAT TUTOR
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TIPS ON BEING A GREAT TUTOR (CON’T)
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Encourage your students to aim high, but remember your goals
may not be their goals.
Make sure your tutoring session is a safe and comfortable
environment where the tutee can ask questions and not feel
intimidated.
It’s always good to incorporate humor into your tutoring session
when you can. It creates a bond, and a less stressful environment.
PAPERWORK

Verification Form
A
worksheet of all daily tutoring sessions
 The tutee is responsible for printing their name
and person number.
 The tutor adds time in/time out, subject, and
circles type of tutoring session, etc.
 Forms are turned in daily to black inbox, located by
the copier or back desk.
 Forms are then returned to the tutor in their
mailbox (filing cabinet under the tower)
 All pay period verification forms are turned in with
the timesheet, to Brenda’s inbox outside her
office.
PAPERWORK

Timesheets
A
tutor must fill out the student assistant timesheets,
found on the ARC website.
www.cpmc.buffalo.edu/tutoring/tutor/index.php.
 Use the information below on all timesheets
Address: ARC, Capen 46
 Phone #: (716) 645-6693
 Account #: 900125
 Pay Rate: $9.00+
 Person #: 8 digit UB Person #

 Print
and sign your timesheet, attach all verification
forms and turn in to Brenda before 5pm on the last
day of the pay period.
PAPERWORK
If you are paid by work-study funding, do not fill out the
student assistant timesheet. Please use your online
work-study timesheet.
http://www.cpmc.buffalo.edu/tutoring/tutor/index.php


When turning in your timesheet and verification forms,
please attach a note for Brenda that you are being paid
from work-study funds.
PAPERWORK
Additional points about timesheets:
 All verification forms and timesheet information much
match exactly.
 All log-in and out reports from the kiosk must also
match the timesheet.
 Checkout the example and direction sheet located on
the bulletin board outside of Linda’s office.
 Paychecks can be picked every other Thursday after
10am from Brenda’s office.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Hopefully you have read this valuable information
and are ready to start tutoring. If you have any
questions, feel free to stop by the ARC.
Please complete the “orientation completion form”
found on our website, and return to Linda.
Wishing you great success and welcome to the
ARCs team of tutors.