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The Academic Support Center (ASC) exists to assist students in all aspects of their academic development. Our primary goal is student success. Our emphasis is on the individual student and his or her personal development in any field of study. We do not simply edit or proofread a student’s work. Instead, we encourage constructive dialogue between the student and the tutor with the aim of imparting to students academic skills that will improve their performance in the classroom and eventually in the workplace. Both the tutor and the student are active participants in the process, the ultimate goal of which is to encourage self-sufficient learning. The ASC employs student tutors in a variety of fields, including writing, mathematics, lab sciences, and social sciences. Tutors work scheduled hours in the ASC and are also available by appointment.

All about the ASC:

At the Academic Support Center, students receive one-on-one tutoring in which the student and tutor are equal participants. The ASC encourages constructive dialogue between student and tutor.  We do not edit or proofread a student’s work.  Tutors address writers’ concerns during tutorial sessions—discussing, collaborating, and exchanging ideas to create the best piece of writing possible.  Our goal is to help students develop into better writers and thinkers, not to proofread individual papers. 

Tutors are available from nearly all majors and concentrations offered at The College of Idaho.  Though our focus is on writing, we offer academic support to students from all fields of study. 

The ASC is located in the basement of Terteling Library.  Tutors are available throughout the day (check the Schedule,) or by appointment.

It is strongly recommended that students email a tutor a brief summary of the assignment and what they hope to accomplish with the tutoring session prior to their arrival at the ASC.  We are delighted to work with individuals who drop in to the ASC without an appointment—if a tutor isn’t busy with someone who has made an appointment.  You may also call the center at extension 5514.

Some tutors are available by appointment only.

Many professors require that tutors submit tutoring session report forms to track a student's progress and use of the ASC.  You can download them here.

It is recommended that students bring in a copy of the assignment, as well as any work they have done on the assignment thus far.  We will work with assignments in any stage of completion—from a rough outline to a polished final draft.  We are also available to assist in developing and/or clarifying a thesis or argument.  The most productive sessions involve students who come in with a clear sense of purpose and specific questions about the assignment.

ASC Goals:

• Assist students in all aspects of the writing process
• Create an environment that encourages self-sufficient learning
• Encourage intellectual development and growth through collaboration and discussion between students and tutors
• Offer advice that will enable students to be more academically successful in the future
• Create an academic resource for students in all fields of study
• Encourage critical thinking and engaging intellectual discussion among the CofI student body
• Promote peer tutoring as a two-sided, collaborative process, as opposed to editing and proofreading