SMART Peer Residential Learning Centers

Each residence hall (plus Yudof Hall and University Village) has a SMART Peer Residential Learning Center, which provides academic support for residents. Residents can take advantage of five nights of one-on-one assistance in various subjects each week, and staff members create and implement numerous and varied types of academic support programming in the hall over the course of the semester.

Each Center is staffed by a Coordinator and four or more Peer Consultants. The Coordinator, a student, supervises the Peer Consultants of up to three Residence Halls/Apartments, implements the programming, and seeks ways to enhance the academic resources and nature of the hall through marketing and assessment. The consultants specialize in one or more popular academic areas, especially focused on the academic needs of the individual residence hall. Consultant hours are widely advertised throughout the hall.

Prior to fall 2008, the Housing & Residential Life Peer Assisted Learning Center was referred to as the Academic Service Center or ASC Program. During the previous year Housing & Residential Life Staff started working with the SMART Learning Commons Director (http://smart.umn.edu/) on campus to become part of their umbrella of academic leadership. The 2008-2009 academic year will be a transition year for the SMART Peer Residential Learning Centers, as physical spaces, signage, and training will be changing to meet the SMART standards. This will also be a transition year for the language of what the program is called. The program has been referred to the ASC program for years so it will take a bit of time for people to get used to the new language.

Why is this service available?

This service is provided to assist students with their success in the classroom. Providing the Peer Residential Learning Centers is one way Housing & Residential Life directly supports the academic mission of the university. Many of the services are provided in the evenings when other campus services are not available.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR SERVICE?
All students living in the Residence Halls and Apartment Students

DOES IT COST ME ANYTHING?
This service is absolutely free to any Housing & Residential Life student. The SMART Peer Residential Learning Center is one of the ways that Housing & Residential Life feels that it can have a direct impact on the academic success of its students.

WHAT SUBJECTS DO THEY OFFER ONE TO ONE ASSISTANCE?
There are over 30 subjects tutored covered in the system. Each residence hall and apartment has consultants who specialize in IT subjects (Math, Calculus, Chemistry, etc.) and there is usually a proofreading tutor during regular weekly hours. Feel free to visit any or all locations to find the subjects or tutors that fit you best!

WHEN AND WHERE ARE THESE SERVICES OFFERED?

The services are provided in the evenings when other campus services are not available. We are available 5 nights a week, Sunday through Thursday, between the hours of 6 and 11 PM. This means that sometime within this 5-hour period there will be at least one tutor present for two hours.