Movin’ on up

Portland State’s Skills Enhancement and Tutoring Center (SETC) is hosting an open house Oct. 5 in Smith Memorial Student Union to celebrate its move to a bigger room.

 

The center was previously located in SMSU room 425, but due to growth and demand, it moved across the hall to room 439 on April 20.

 

The SETC staff will give a tour and detail the tutoring services offered at the center.

 

“We’ll have edible goodies, pencils, bookmarks and friendly people to show students and staff the tutoring center, and share with them all the services that we offer,” said Lisa Hatfield, coordinator of SETC.

 

Last year, 6,500 tutoring sessions were held at the SETC, and sessions have increased by 1,700 sessions per year for the last six years.

 

“Moving here has afforded us more space so we can offer more tutors for longer hours, we now have lots of tables where students can study together or where tutors can meet with several students at once,” Hatfield said.

 

The SETC is open to all Portland State students and funded by student fees. Tutoring, supplemental information and workshops are available until 8 p.m., Monday through Thursday.

 

“All tutors are current Portland State students, both graduate and undergraduate, and they have gone through a training process,” said Hatfield. “Our center is certified by the College Reading and Learning Association, a national organization that certifies learning centers.”

 

Maki Endo, a junior biology major, came to SETC a year ago looking for a math tutor. Since then, her grades have improved drastically.

 

“There was nowhere else to go,” Endo said. “There is always someone to help [at SETC]. The tutors are so knowledgeable and they really want to help—so if you need help, please ask!”

 

The tutoring center is also an asset for students attending Portland State after a long absence from the classroom.

 

“We have so many people come in that are like, ‘I don’t know what to do, I haven’t taken a math class in 10 years, I’m terrified!'” said Melody Tremaim, receptionist at SETC and a senior sociology major. “Don’t be scared—just bring in your questions. We’re here, you pay for it, you might as well use it.”