Drop-In Centers
Math Center
The Math Center provides on-campus tutorial assistance to Virginia Western students who need
help in all levels of math. Associates provide students with individual and group tutoring as needed.
Completion of a form for services is required.
Students may receive free tutoring for Virginia Western classes in which they are currently
enrolled. The Virginia Western student community includes those in face-to-face classes, distance
learning classes, dual-enrollment classes, and workforce development classes. The Center
also serves students currently enrolled in Radford 2+2 programs, Old Dominion students and
University of Richmond students on the VWCC campus. Exceptions may occur, and tutoring may
not be available if tutors are not familiar with course materials in these four-year programs.
However, Virginia Western students are served first.
Math Center Rules and Operating Procedures
To be read and signed every semester
- Tutoring is done on a first-come, first-serve basis (more or less; keep reading). We don't take appointments.
- Be patient. If you see that the room is full of students, expect to wait a little while.
- Make contact. We (the staff) have a no-win situation: if we run around asking, “Do you need help? Do you need help?” we will annoy people who are trying to work. If we see you working busily, waiting for a tutor, we assume that you don’t need any help at the moment. We frequently look around the room, checking for people who look confused. If you raise your hand or call out a tutor's name (quietly please!), we'll know you need our assistance.
- Be flexible. We don't really work on a first-come, first-serve basis. We work to provide maximum help to a large group of students. Therefore, groups often take precedence over individual students. If student A has one quick question, and student B has a chapter review to go over, we'll probably catch student A first if both have been waiting. If you know you have a lot of material to get through, allow extra time. Unless we are having a slow day, we'll show you a section, move on to someone else while you work, and come back to you. Our expectation is that when possible we will spend 1/2 hour with each student. When the Center is quiet, we may be able to spend more time. We wish we could give you unlimited time and attention, but sometimes it's just not practical.
- Be reasonable. We make mistakes. We overlook people. None of it is intentional. If one of us has ignored, upset, or offended you, let us know. We'll try to fix any misunderstandings. You are entitled to polite and courteous treatment from us, and we expect the same from you.
- When you work with a tutor, SIGN THE NOTEBOOK! Math tutors have notebooks for attendance purposes. So, sign in with your tutor EVERY TIME….LEGIBLY! Each week the Math Center sends all instructors a list of those students who have utilized our services
- Be prepared. It's much easier for us to answer specific questions than explain entire chapters. If you've already attempted your homework and compiled a list of questions, we can help you with the areas you really have problems with.
- We do not help with take-home tests, quizzes, graded homework assignments, or study reviews that are graded. You are responsible for your personal academic honesty.
- Students may receive free tutoring for Virginia Western classes in which they are currently enrolled. The Virginia Western student community includes those in face-to-face classes, distance-learning classes, dual-enrollment classes, and workforce development classes. The Center also serves students currently enrolled in Radford 2+2 programs of study, Old Dominion students and the University of Richmond students on the VWCC campus. Exceptions may occur, and tutoring may not be available if tutors are not familiar with course materials in these four-year programs. However, Virginia Western students are served first.
- Students may not receive tutoring for non-Virginia Western classes, even if those students are currently enrolled in other Virginia Western classes.
- On a first-come, first-serve basis, the associates in the Math Center will assist students in preparing for the college’s placement test, Compass. This assistance will consist of going over the sample test questions that are provided for test preparation by ACT. Students who arrive at the Math Center for help should have attempted to complete the sample questions: the assistance provided is for review, not for teaching new concepts.
Hours Of Operation
Please refer to Hours Of Operation on our main page.
