Services for Academic Support

Amherst College offers a variety of services to support the academic work of students.  In addition to the advising and teaching support provided by the faculty, assistance is also made available through these services: Moss Quantitative Center, Peer Tutoring, Academic Peer Mentor Program, Writing Center, Writing English as Second Language, Academic Services for Students with Disabilities, Reading & Study Skills Seminar, and Math Review during winter break.  Students who have used these support services have consistently recommended them highly.  See brief descriptions below.

• Tutorial Services:
  • The Moss Quantitative Center
  • Peer Tutoring
  • Academic Peer Mentors
• Academic Writing Services:
  • Writing Center
  • English as Second Language
• Reading and Study Skills Seminar
• Math Review During Winter Break
• The Amherst College Library's Course & Research Support for Students

Tutorial Services

The Moss Quantitative Center provides walk-in study help at scheduled times for the introductory quantitative courses.  Faculty-approved lecture TAs or drop-in tutors are available to work with students who want to improve their understanding in math, science, and economics courses. The Moss Quantitative Center is in room 202 of the Merrill Science Center.  The schedule is available at www.amherst.edu/~qcenter.  For questions contact the Director, Jennifer Innes at 542-8331, jbinnes@amherst.edu.

Peer Tutoringi s available to students who are enrolled in Amherst courses and for a variety of reasons find themselves in need of tutorial assistance.  Peer Tutors are approved by faculty in the following disciplines: Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Chinese, Computer Science, Economics, French, Geology, German, Greek, Japanese, Latin, Mathematics, Philosophy, Physics, Psychology, Russian and Spanish.  As is customary, students who are concerned about their academic performance are advised to discuss their concerns with the professor in the course.  Those who are interested in working with Peer Tutors must first receive the approval of their professors.  Peer Tutor assignments are made in consultation with  Dean Boykin-East, Director of Academic Support, Converse Hall (room 106).  She is available for short-term counseling sessions that help students address problems that impede academic progress, i.e., procrastination, time mismanagement, competing priorities (academic and social) and related issues.  Dean Boykin-East can be reached at [cjboykineast@amherst.edu ].  For an appointment, contact Alice Simmoneau [asimmoneau@amherst.edu ] at 542-2529.

Academic Peer Mentors (APM) is a one-on-one tutorial program that assists students during their first year at Amherst.  The APMs are a group of eleven upper-class students who work with first year students in becoming familiar with the academic resources of the College and who work with students to identify the appropriate resources to address any academic concerns they may have. APMs hold regular office hours in the first year halls and work with resident councilors, faculty and staff to promote academic excellence.  APMs also coordinate workshops and lead discussion groups on topics such as, time management, study skills, how to choose a major and any other academic subjects that might be of interest to the students.

Academic Writing Services

The Writing Center is directed by Dean Susan Snively, assisted by two Writing Fellows, Alexx Campbell ’07 and Pat McGrath ’07, and twenty peer writing tutors. The Writing Center offers appointments on weekdays, Sundays, and evenings to assist students with their academic writing. Students may consult the writing staff about problems such as getting a paper started, editing a paper, writing with more energy and confidence, managing time and organization, or dealing with anxiety. Students who want to find new ways to write better may schedule an appointment on the on-line scheduler. To learn more about the Writing Center, students may visit the web site at www.amherst.edu/~writing .

Writing English-as-Second-Language (ESL) is a program that provides international students with English and English as a Second Language support. Lisa Moore who serves as the ESL Counselor provides opportunities for students to participate in private or small group sessions to review written work, review grammar and syntax or to practice pronunciation. Students can make arrangements to meet with Lisa Moore by contacting her at lmoore@amherst.edu or through the Dean of Students’ Office.

Reading and Study Skills Seminar

Learning Skills Inc., provides instruction on transforming reading and study skills into more effective academic tools for college.  Students are required to pay a modest fee for this course which convenes at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters.  It covers a broad range of techniques designed to help students increase their reading comprehension, speed, concentration, and recall.  For additional information, students may visit the web site at [www.learningskillsinc.com], e-mail LSI005@aol.com or write Learning Skills-Correct Read, Inc., 800 Main Street,    Suite #3, Amherst, MA  01002; Lewis Fleischner, Director (413-256-4111).

Math Review During Winter Break

Amherst students have an opportunity to work on specific math skills in a non-credit course arranged with the Math Counselor in the Moss Quantitative Center.  For information, students should contact Timothy St. Onge, trstonge@amherst.edu.

The Amherst College Library's Course & Research Support for Students

The Frost Library helps students in many ways: expert librarians are available at the Reference Desk in the Main Library, the Music and Science Libraries and in Archives & Special Collections. This friendly staff offers students individual assistance in using all Library resources. Students with brief reference questions may email the Library staff via the “Ask Us” website (http:// www.amherst.edu/library/forms/askus.html), or they may telephone the appropriate branch. Students who are seeking more in-depth research planning should contact http://www.amherst.edu/library/forms/irareq.html to arrange individual appointments.