Oklahoma State University Athletics
Academic Enhancement Center (AEC)
October 26, 2005 | General
Individual Tutoring
OSU student-athletes may request one-on-one tutoring in any subject with which they need assistance. Frequency and length of individual sessions vary based on student-athlete need, as determined by the student-athletes, academic advisors, and tutors.
Tutors are current OSU undergraduate and graduate students, industry professionals, retired faculty or local teachers at all levels. Whatever their qualifications, tutors at the Academic Enhancement Center are dedicated to the academic success of all OSU's student-athletes.
Group Tutoring
OSU student-athletes may also work with tutors in groups of two or more. Group learning comprises a highly-effective method of instruction in the classroom and tutoring session. Student-athletes often find themselves enrolled in courses with other student-athletes, and tutor-facilitated group work can present an efficient method to supplement classroom instruction.
Tutors are encouraged to work with student-athletes in small groups to make the most efficient use of time for all concerned; however, some student-athletes prefer or need individual assistance. This preference is never a problem. The staff of the Academic Enhancement Center strives to customize the learning experience to fit each student-athlete's needs.
Contracted Study Sessions
Student-athletes may take real control of and responsibility for their academic regimen with contracted study sessions. On their own or at the request of their academic advisor a student-athlete may schedule several sessions at different times during the week to visit the Academic Enhancement Center and work on their own. The Center provides an environment conducive to study, complete with a full-service computer lab, textbook and study-guide library, and small, private rooms for quiet study. The Center's close proximity to the weight facility and training room make it very convenient for student-athletes to visit the Academic Enhancement Center before and after practice or workouts.
Mentoring
Some student-athletes may require an academic facilitator for any number of reasons. Acclimating to college life and living on campus, the rigors of NCAA collegiate athletics, or the increase in academic expectations often present nearly insurmountable obstacles to incoming freshmen. An academic mentor can provide the encouragement needed to get through a student-athlete's first year at OSU.
Facilitators have extensive experience on the OSU campus and in a variety of academic areas. Facilitators work with students in addition to regular individual tutors and may spend more time working on time-management and organizational skills that are so fundamental to a successful college career. Through the course of a year or more, a student-athlete will get to know his or her Facilitator and potentially make a life-long friend along the way.
Academic facilities
In addition to the tutoring and mentoring programs listed above, the Academic Enhancement Center maintains four academic facilities in core areas, complete with computer software, textbook libraries, and spacious classrooms.
Language Lab
The Language Lab is a facility for student-athletes taking courses in foreign language. The library in the lab includes texts for Spanish, French, Japanese or German students, and also houses computer units identical to the ones available in the foreign language lab on campus in Gundersen Hall. All foreign language students are required to spend time in the foreign language lab; as of Fall 2003, OSU student-athletes will be able to complete their required lab time in the Academic Enhancement Center, whose hours are far more convenient to a student-athlete's schedule.
The Language Lab is also equipped with a television and VCR for viewing of supplemental video materials.
Sciences and Mathematics Resource Center
All OSU student-athletes will complete at least two courses in both science and mathematics. As a result, the Sciences and Mathematics Resource Center was created. Complete with past and present textbooks and study guides, the Center provides a classroom environment for tutors to work with student-athletes individually or in small groups.
Math 0123 students will also be able to complete their on-line computer work in the Academic Enhancement Center.
Literacy Resource Center
The Literacy Resource Center is a fully-functioning writing lab, complete with writing manuals, two computer work stations, and space for individual, one-on-one, and group work. Tutors in the Literary Resource Center are most often English graduate students or professionals with teaching experience. As writing is a large componentt of any academic degree program, the Literacy Resource Center is a very important asset in the Academic Enhancement Center.
Assistive Technology Center
The Assistive Technology Center is designed to help students with learning disabilities. Currently, scan-and-read technology and voice-activated word-processing software are available in the Center. The Technology Center is available any time the Academic Enhancement Center is open and is available to all student-athletes.
