Faculty & Instructor Information
Announcement:
UC Merced tutoring and learning support services have been reorganized to help make our offerings more transparent and accessible to students and to better align with academic learning support needs. The New Peer Led Undergraduate Support (PLUS) Center offers students focused sessions on some SSHA courses and developing critical thinking skills. Your students can also find support through the STEM Tutoring Hub for many lower division Math, Chemistry, Biology and Computer Science courses. The University Writing Center continues to provide one-on-one consultations for students throughout the writing process.
Please follow the link to a flyer with information about learning support services or visit https://success.ucmerced.edu/tutoring.
Instructors could consider adding the following to their CatCourses sites (after adding the relevant topical area in the blank):
Peer Tutoring: UCM Learning Services offers peer tutoring in a variety of subjects including ______, at no charge above your tuition. https://success.ucmerced.edu/tutoring
Note: PALS has merged with other tutoring centers in the Division of Undergraduate Education. The New PLUS Center, The STEM Tutoring Hub and University Writing Center are a part of this new umbrella of services under UCM Learning Support. PLUS Center will focus on directed group study offerings, particularly for courses outside of STEM.
How do I Request Peer Assisted Learning Support (PALS) Sessions for my Course?
Faculty/Instructors can request learning support for a course by filling out a PLUS Request form, and by providing a poll of the class to the coordinator of PALS. A Class Poll is a way to show student interest and possible commitment to attending learning supported sessions. This allows us to make an informed decision about our support offerings. Please make sure your poll is capable of clearly answering the following questions: How many students are interested in Learning Support for “YourSubject 110?" If offered, how many students will attend PLUS Center sessions for “YourSubject 110?"
PLUS Center sessions for courses are contingent upon student interest in attending sessions, actual session attendance and continued need for the service.
How do I Recommend a Learning Assistant?
Faculty/nstructors can casually recommend potential Peer Leads by contacting the Coordinator of PLUS, Karen Linam, or by answering a request for potential Peer Leads. However, Faculty/instructors should be willing to endorse potential candidates with a formal letter of recommendation for a PLUS position. We are looking for high caliber students who interact well with others to fill these learning support positions.
Recommendation Letters
The instructor of record should send an electronic letter of recommendation to the Coordinator of the PLUS. It should contain the following information: It must address the applicant’s participation in class, attendance, communication, student responsibility, peer interaction, grade and why you (the faculty/instructor) think the applicant would be a very good to great Peer Lead.
PLUS Request Form
