Below are some frequently asked questions about the Math and Science Skills Center. If you have additional questions, please contact Director Leslie Wade at wadel@kenyon.edu or Assistant Director Kevin Oldaker at oldaker1@kenyon.edu.
A: It is a walk-in center, no appointments are necessary. If you don’t need help immediately, just sit down and work. Some groups meet in other rooms, so check the chalkboard or ask the director for assistance finding a group or a tutor. With few exceptions, we always have a tutor to help you with the courses we officially support.
A: While that may be the case in some schools, it is definitely not the case at the MSSC. There is no stigma associated with MSSC attendance. Tutors are trained not to talk about the students they help. In fact, if we have a problem, it is getting the students who really need assistance to come see us. Good students often use the center to help structure their study/homework time.
A: This helps us understand how many students seek help for certain subjects. It also helps us preserve our funding and provides some basic demographic data to show how well we are serving Kenyon’s students.
A: Come anyway! While your LT knows the most about what is going on with your specific class, we have tutors who can help you. You may find classmates to work with.
A: This is a tricky situation. Generally, we encourage you to look ahead and come to the MSSC on an earlier evening. The MSSC designs its hours to fit the schedules of as many students as possible, but we cannot be available to everyone each night. If you need to make an appointment outside of MSSC hours and office hours, we encourage you to work with your classmates and/or make an appointment with your professor.
A: This is possible, but you should be considerate of the tutor's time. Is it a quick question? Are they engaged with friends? Try to be sensitive to the fact that they are busy students, too. Don’t be offended if they tell you that they can’t spare the time right then.
A: Not normally! But they do regularly communicate with your professor about their expectations and they are knowledgeable about their subject areas. Their goal is to model learning and problem solving for you, not solve your problems.
A: Come anyway! You can work on your homework. If you have a question while you work, your classmates and a tutor will be nearby to help.
A: Information about applying to be a tutor is available online. Typically we hire in the spring for the following year.
A: No, but you can talk to the classmates you met in the MSSC about making a study group. Several groups from upper level classes meet to work in the MSSC. Occasionally, you are able to get help from our tutors if they are not busy with their "assigned" students.
A: We are a bit noisy because we encourage group work and that leads to conversations. We are looking into solutions, but if you need help and can’t deal with the noise, please let us know and we’ll work something out. The center can also be confusing to first time visitors. Don't let the organized chaos dissuade you. Find someone with a name tag and ask for help.