The Learning Assistance Resource Center (LARC) at San José State University evolved from the Tutorial Center at the Student Development Services (SDS). The Tutorial Program at Student Development Services was originally created in 1992 to assist students in both EOP (Educational Opportunity Program) and ASPIRE (Academic Support Program for Increased Retention in Education) programs. Over the years, the SDS Tutorial Center extended its support services to also include student athletes as well as students with disabilities. In 1998, Student Development Services expanded its programs and officially adopted the name of “Academic Services”.
In 1999, a University task force was appointed by the Provost’s Office to study the needs for student academic assistance and available learning support services. The committee found a fragmented system of more than thirty labs or clubs offering various types of learning support services on campus. A complete inventory of tutorial programs revealed a patchwork of fragmented and decentralized services that were often difficult to access or inconsistently presented. Many students expressed great frustration in their experience of finding the appropriate academic support they desperately sought. Some students needed help to build basic skills or to refresh the background materials for a current class. Others would need further diagnostic tests to assess the real hidden problems. Most students using the services reported limited access with restrictions in eligibility requirements and/or demand in concurrent registration in classes. Many faculty in those support programs also described problems with limited space, funding, and staffing. The need for a centralized Learning Center to systematically serve the large number of students requiring various levels of academic assistance was evident.
On February 9th, 2000, at the Provost’s Forum titled “Academic Services and Learning Assistance,” the task force reported the survey results to the campus community, followed by a program presentation from the Director of the Tutorial Center. Subsequently, a special consultant was appointed by the Provost’s Office to work with the learning specialists at the Tutorial Center to complete the preliminary draft of a campus-wide Learning Center. A 5-year strategic plan was developed and presented to the Provost’s office. The name of the Learning Assistance Resource Center (LARC) was adopted in the fall of 2000 when the Center opened its services to all San José State University students.
LARC is a comprehensive learning center that consists of two major components: Writing and Tutorial programs. The Center’s mission is to assist students to develop their full academic potential to become independent, life-long learners. It is also dedicated to supporting the curriculum offered by the University faculty. The Center provides year-round academic and tutorial assistance in many introductory and intermediate classes offered at the University.
LARC employs three full-time professional staff, the Director, the Tutorial Coordinator, the Administrative Assistant and one half-time faculty for the ESL/Writing Skills Test tutorials and about 20 to 25 peer tutors. The Tutorial component provides tutor training, evaluation and general administration of drop-in, small group appointments in individual and tutorials. The tutor training program at LARC is certified by the College Reading and Learning Association for both Level I and Level II training. The Tutorial services offer support in remedial, and primarily lower courses. Writing tutorials include support for English classes and general writing assignments as well as assistance for ESOL students and help students prepare for the Writing Skills Test, a junior-level writing requirement. The computer lab in LARC provides 30 computer stations and wireless access. Students and tutors often work together in the lab or use their personal computers for special projects.
The staff at LARC strive to build a learning community that provides a welcoming and nurturing environment for all students. They also collaborate with other departments and the campus community to form an academic support network. Tutors are the Center’s ambassadors to bridge the instructional gap by conducting office and classroom visits. The professional staff work closely with the Academic Advising and Retention Services, Counseling Services, the Disability Resource Center, Athletics, and other programs on campus to meet the needs of SJSU students. Staff often present workshops, assist with student referrals from faculty, and provide consultation on Writing Across the Curriculum issues and other topics upon request.
In the past year, the Center’s tutor training program was cited by the University’s Faculty Scholars at the 2004 SJSU College Teaching and Learning conference as an impressive writing resource on campus for embodying a student-centered pedagogy. LARC is also the winner of the 2004 Honorable Mention for the “Learning Support Center Website Award” given by the Learning Support Centers in Higher Education (LSCHE) and the National College Learning Center Association (NCLCA). LARC tutors are often awarded with prestigious scholarships. Many are also honored each year as Dean’s and President’s scholars. Staff at LARC are proud of their achievements and are deeply dedicated to serving the students and faculty at San José State University.
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