UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA AT LAFAYETTE STEP Committee Technology Fee Application
ExCel Grant for Residence Hall Tutoring Title
Matthew Mattox & Bette Harris Name of Submitter (Faculty or Staff Only)
Academic Success Center Organization
ExCel Grant Proposal – Academic Success Center – Mattox
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Title: ExCel Grant for Residence Hall Tutoring Date: 1/14/2013 Name (Contact Person): Matthew Mattox, Coordinator of The Learning Center Address: P.O. BOX 41650, Lafayette, LA 70504-1650 Phone Number: 337-482-2827 Email:
[email protected] Department/College/Org: Academic Success Center
ABSTRACT The Learning Center has provided students throughout campus access to tutoring services and study skills classes since 1974. In the mid-1990s, The Learning Center relocated from DeClouet Hall to Lee Hall and in the 2010s, the computing facilities were updated and new computers were added. Since Fall 2004, approximately 8,500 students have used The Learning Center’s tutoring Services and STEP computer lab each semester. In the spring of 2004, an online tutoring service (Smarthinking) was added to the gamut and over the ensuing six years an average of over 11,000 students each semester have utilized one or more of the services offered by The Learning Center. An effort to better serve UL Lafayette students was initiated in spring 2011 when The Learning Center expanded its hours of operation several nights a week until 8:00pm. Finally, in Spring 2013, The Learning Center will be shouldering the load of online tutoring in-house, in an effort to better serve the UL student body and improve the tutoring services provided. In 2010 the Louisiana Grad Act was signed into law providing strong incentives for universities and colleges to increase retention and graduation rates. Increasing student support services such as tutoring services is one strategy to increase these rates. Research has repeatedly demonstrated that the students’ integration with their institution and engagement with their peers and the wider learning community is paramount to their success. In support of this and in line with the University’s dedication to increase its graduation rate of entering freshmen from 40.5 percent to 50 percent in a six-year period, in the Spring of 2013 The Learning Center is looking forward to collaborating with the UL Housing Department, and expanding its tutoring services to on-campus locations such as the new residence halls, the Conference Center and, hopefully, the new Student Union (these are Wi-Fi equipped buildings). To help realize the University’s objectives and continue to serve the UL Lafayette student-population, The Learning Center is petitioning STEP for the necessary funds to bring this project to fruition.
ExCel Grant Proposal – Academic Success Center – Mattox
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Purpose of Grant In line with the University’s strategic plan which focuses efforts on improving student services and student success, The Learning Center (TLC) is requesting the necessary funds to station a TLC tutor on location in the various residence halls. Additional tutors will expand and improve upon the existing tutoring services offered to the UL student-community. Below is a break-down of these services: 1. Labor: STEP funds are requested to pay the wages of four (4) TLC tutors. On weeknights (Mondays through Thursdays) these tutors will be dispatched to the Rose Garden Residence Halls/Conference Center where they will lead studygroups as well as tutor one-on-one for most mathematics and science courses, in particular historically challenging courses such as MATH 091/092, 100/105, 140, 250; BIOL 110, 121, 220; STAT 214; CHEM 107, 123; PHYS 201, 207. Laptop computers will be provided to the dispatched TLC tutors on location. The laptop computers will enable tutors to log attendees of study-groups and log/confirm existing individual appointments as well as schedule new appointments on-site. Having a laptop computer handy will also enable TLC tutors to assist students with academic problems requiring web-access solutions. Usage of the laptops will be monitored and kept track of by the Coordinator of The Learning Center with the help of our TutorTrac 4.0 software. Impact on Student Body The ExCEL Grant, if awarded, will impact students in the following ways: 1. This grant will first and foremost aid in the University’s effort to increase retention and graduation rates. Increasing the availability of and access to tutoring services will enable students to remain enrolled and do well in their courses rather than risking dropping out. In turn, this will allow them to advance more quickly through their curriculum and graduate in a timely fashion. 2. This grant will enable The Learning Center to continue to provide the UL Lafayette student-community with the highest possible academic support. Furthermore, the tutor-led study-groups for mathematics, biology, statistics, physics, and chemistry in the residence halls will enhance student integration with the institution and engagement with their peers and the wider learning community. Projected Lifetime of Enhancement Funds for the ExCEL Grant will enable the continuation of academic support at the highest level for the next three (3) years: The dispatching of the tutors is scheduled for the onset of the Fall 2013 semester. The hardware and software required has already been purchased, and is ready for use immediately upon approval of the grant. This new service will be promoted continuously throughout the University starting in the Fall 2013 semester by way of advertisement via The Learning Center, student organizations such as the Residence Hall Association, Student Life and Conduct, as well as the residential staff of each building. The Learning Center expects several semesters for this project to be fully and successfully up-and-running. Upon completion
ExCel Grant Proposal – Academic Success Center – Mattox
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of the three years (Spring 2016), TLC will re-petition the STEP Council for eligibility for funding for continued service to our residential population.
Budget Category Items PERSONNEL QTY
ITEM
Four (4)
Tutors
DESCRIPTION CRLA certified tutors for BIOL, CHEM, MATH, PHYS, & STAT who will be dispatched to the residence halls and Conference Center
COST/UNIT
TOTAL COST
$7,200.00 /tutor ($8.00/hour x 10 hrs/wk x 30 wks/yr x 3 yrs)
$28,800.00
Requested duration: 3 years
PERSONNEL TOTAL: $28,800.00
Persons Responsible for Project A. Implementation:
B. Installation: C. Maintenance D. Operation:
E. Training
Matthew Mattox, TLC Coordinator, Academic Success Center; Bette Harris, Director, Academic Success Center; Joy Okpala, TLC Graduate Assistant Matthew Mattox, TLC Coordinator, Academic Success Center; Joy Okpala, TLC Graduate Assistant Matthew Mattox, TLC Coordinator, Academic Success Center; Joy Okpala, TLC Graduate Assistant Matthew Mattox, TLC Coordinator, Academic Success Center; Joy Okpala, TLC Graduate Assistant; STEP Lab Assistants; TLC Desk Assistants; TLC Tutors Matthew Mattox, TLC Coordinator, Academic Success Center; Joy Okpala, TLC Graduate Assistant; STEP Lab Assistants;
* The University Computing Support Services (UCSS) will be called upon for reference and support when necessary.
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Qualifications Bette Harris serves as the Director of the Academic Success Center. She has been with the university for 24 years. She received her Masters of Business Administration from the University of Tennessee. Having many previous STEP grants funded such as the Online Student Information System, Smarthinking, and several computer lab grants, she has been instrumental in providing technology services to UL Lafayette students. Matthew Mattox is the Coordinator of The Learning Center in the Academic Success Center. He has worked in Higher Education for five years. Matthew’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Specialized Studies from Ohio University, a Master’s of Education in Student Affairs from The University of Southern Mississippi, and he is currently seeking his PhD in Higher Education from LSU. Matthew has a background in Residence Life, Student Activities, as well as advisor for various student organizations.
Budget Proposal 1.
Personnel (4 tutors):
$28,800.00
TOTAL:
$28,800.00
Previously Funded STEP Grants -
In 2012, STEP funding for Brainfuse online tutoring service; ExCel grant for Residence Hall tutoring
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In 2011, STEP funding for Smarthinking renewal continued.
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In 2010, STEP funding for Smarthinking renewal continued and STEP funding for the open-access computer lab in Lee 213 continued.
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In 2009, STEP funding for Smarthinking renewal continued and STEP funding for the open-access computer lab in Lee 213 continued.
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This grant also purchased a new, replacement special services computer (for use by students with special needs) and continued the training facility for students, faculty, and staff.
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In 2008, STEP funding for Smarthinking renewal continued and STEP funding for the open-access computer lab in Lee 213 continued. This grant purchased a new largevolume printer and continued the training facility for students, faculty, and staff.
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In 2007, STEP funding for Smarthinking renewal continued and STEP funding for tlcLand renewal, the computer lab in Lee 213.
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In 2006, STEP funding for Smarthinking & Plato renewal continued the online tutoring and academic support efforts of The Learning Center and the College of Education.
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In 2004, STEP funding for Smarthinking.com created tlcLand, an ideal computer lab and training facility for students, faculty, and staff use. Funding was also approved for tlcLand extension, which brought additional computers for student use, and an online calendar.
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In 1999, Bette Harris, the Director of Junior Division, wrote the STEP grant which, when funded, created the original Lee Hall STEP lab.
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