Purpose of the Instruction area of the HAC
The Instruction Area is committed to providing academic support to all students and teaching resources to faculty. The Director of Instruction, Dr. Jenny Bruce, supervises a team of tutors and mentors who work as partners with students. The major programs in this area are:
1. Tutoring-peer and professional tutoring is free to all students in most academic subject areas. It can be received either during drop-in hours or by appointment. Specialized tutoring for writing and speaking is offered through the Writing Across the Curriculum and Speaking Across the Curriculum directors (see home page).
2. Mentoring-peer and professional mentoring is free to all students who request it. Mentors work individually with students to assist them with study strategies, time management, strategies for preparing for and taking tests, note taking, effective reading skills and other areas of effective learning. Mentors also guide students toward appropriate campus resources, assist in the design of individualized learning contracts and act as liaisons between students and faculty. Mentors assist in planning and conducting skills workshops for classes, organizations and residence halls.
3. RISE (Randolph-Macon’s Initiative for Successful Education) English is an intensive academic support program for designated freshmen whose verbal SAT scores and/or high school English grades fall below acceptable standards prior to admission. In addition to designated sections of English 111-112, students are required to complete supplemental work throughout the academic year in the HAC.
4. Supplemental Instruction (SI) is provided for freshmen mathematics courses. Outstanding math majors on the HAC tutoring staff attend classes with the freshmen and provide out of class review sessions and individual tutoring.
5. Macon Academic Progress (MAP) is an academic partnership for first year students who receive two or more unsatisfactory grades at mid-term of the fall semester. MAP students are required to fulfill the requirements of an individualized learning contract that includes weekly meetings with a trained mentor, regular tutoring appointments, skills workshops, and other services deemed appropriate for the student.
6. Supervised Study Hall is provided for any student who desires a quiet place to study with access to tutoring services. Records are kept of attendance and sent to the referring faculty member, advisor and/or coach.