Services

Orientation

Each semester, a Guided Studies Center Coordinator contacts faculty to discuss the purpose and function of the Guided Studies Center as it relates to curriculum students. Emphasis is placed on the availability of free tutoring and skills lab materials for students who experience academic difficulty. Students are advised to take advantage of the Guided Studies Center early before they begin having problems.

Brochures advertising Guided Studies services are distributed during orientation, given to all faculty and counselors, and placed around campus. The Lead Coordinator also contacts all instructors and asks them to publicize Guided Studies services and to refer their students for reinforcement or tutorial assistance.

All new employees are invited to visit the Guided Studies Center at a time convenient to their schedule. In addition to a tour of the department, a coordinator will demonstrate various tutorial equipment and discuss policies and services available to the new staff including:

1. Guidelines and paperwork for tutorial services

2. Various skills labs

3. Guidelines for student use

4. Make-up testing

5. Online tutoring via Skype

Computer Access

The Guided Studies Center has over 40 computers available for student use. The computers have tutorial programs in many subjects and all have Internet access. Following the Computer Use Policy established by the Richmond County Board of Trustees, students may use these computers for typing papers, researching topics, or completing class assignments only.

Testing

Guided Studies Center staff will administer make-up tests in Guided Studies for distance learning faculty and students upon request. Faculty who wish to use this service have to bring the test to Guided Studies and complete a cover sheet for each test. Unless otherwise arranged, completed tests will be kept in Guided Studies until picked up by faculty. Guided Studies staff also administer make-up testing to students who miss scheduled class tests. Call Guided Studies for further information.

Proctoring

The Guided Studies Center staff also proctor for other colleges and universities.  Call 910-410-1756 and 910-410-1757 for further information.

Tutoring

Free tutorial assistance is available to any curriculum student who is having academic difficulty. Tutoring is provided through one-on-one tutoring, online via Skype, or by small group sessions. Reinforcement and skill drill are also available in the form of computer, written, and video tutorials. Tutoring services are provided at the RCC Campus and Honeycutt Center.

Faculty members are encouraged to send students to the Guided Studies Center for skills labs or remedial work. Faculty are asked to complete referral cards for students to be tutored, and to identify specific academic weaknesses, and to make suggestions for tutorial materials and/or tutoring techniques. Students will be assigned a tutor only when a referral card has been received by a Guided Studies Coordinator.

Faculty are also encouraged to recommend students who would make qualified tutors for their subject area. Although student tutors are used when possible, professional tutors may be employed if no other qualified assistance is available.