Frequently Asked Questions

If your course is not supported by OLS' online tutors, you can request the service by emailing [email protected]. A staff member will determine whether a tutor can be made available. 

If you are not finding session availability that works with your schedule, please email [email protected]. A staff member will communicate with tutors and tutees to find a time that works for all.

Yes! All SUNY Oswego students are welcome at OLS. If you will be travelling a significant distance to visit our space, consider contacting [email protected] to schedule longer appointments to maximize your time.
 

The OLS space provides free beverages and snacks, a full kitchen, couches, charges and other amenities to make your stay comfortable, even if it is all day.

Drop-in tutoring sessions do not require an appointment; tutors will be on-site and ready to assist students as they arrive. Drop-in tutoring is offered for several subjects/courses as well as for writing. 

Appointment-based tutoring allows for one-on-one sessions between a tutor and tutee. The majority of the tutoring that takes place through OLS is appointment-based. To schedule a tutoring appointment, please visit TracCloud.

Tutees can cancel their own appointments in one of three ways.  Tutees may cancel by emailing [email protected], calling the office at 315.312.2571 or by emailing the tutor directly. Appointments that are cancelled with fewer than three hours notice will be marked as a no-show.

A no-show status is assigned to a tutee's appointment if the tutee does not arrive within 30 minutes of the start time. A no-show appointment status is also assigned to any appointment cancelled within three hours of the start time. Tutees are permitted two no-shows or two cancellations per semester. After either of these limits is met, appointment-based tutoring privileges are suspended for the remainder of the semester. There is no differentiation between no-shows and cancellations for the tutee. The difference relates solely to a tutor's compensation.

Students may request a meeting with a member of OLS professional staff in order to reinstate appointment-based tutoring privileges for the semester. To request such a meeting, please email [email protected].

Tutoring is not teaching. Teaching is the process of bestowing new knowledge unto a student while tutoring is the process of helping a student to understand and retrieve the knowledge that they have already been exposed to. Tutoring is not a substitute for class attendance. If you have missed class, please visit your professor during office hours. Tutors do not guarantee grades. Tutors do guarantee productive tutoring sessions with positive learning outcomes that will assist you in achieving your goals.

Tutees should bring their class textbook, class notes, assignments, quizzes or exams and any other resources that will help the tutor help them. It is also important to know your assignment prior to your tutoring session. Attempt the assignment before the tutoring session and bring what you have done with you. Be prepared to ask specific questions about the things you need help with, or anything that you and your professors have talked about during office hours.

It is acceptable to contact your tutor via oswego.edu email to share information pertaining to a session. Tutoring sessions are most productive when both the tutor and tutee are prepared. At times, tutors will email links, helpful videos, or other thoughtful follow ups after a session. These "off the clock" communications are strictly voluntary; tutors are not obligated to assist students beyond scheduled sessions.

No. Under no circumstance should students ever ask or expect a tutor to complete any work for them in accordance to SUNY Oswego Policy on Intellectual Integrity. It is the tutee's responsibility to disclose whether an assignment is for a grade or not. Best practice in tutoring uses assignments as a guide for establishing learning objectives. For example, a tutor will examine the assignment, recognize the content and create practice problems and explanations for the topic. At no time should the tutor and tutee work directly on the assignment.

If there is a conflict with a tutor or other concerns, please contact the OLS director or OLS professional staff immediately so that a positive and confidential outcome can be reached as soon as possible.

Yes. If you wish to attend drop-in tutoring, please refer to TracCloud for days/times. 

No. The Writing Center is not an editing service. To get the best out of a tutorial session, a face-to-face dialogue between the tutor and tutee is essential: an effective paper begins and ends with effective dialogue.

Yes. Bring the instructor's writing assignment directions to the tutorial session. Tutors will help you interpret the assignment and get started organizing your thoughts.