other tutoring

[Kynell@aol.com]

I don't know how many of us are back in school, and hence actively
reading/participating on the list (except of course,  ste(ph)ven newman(s).)
 However, I have question about an issue that is always a hassle (at this
point) at the beginning of the term: academic tutors for students in their
"content" courses.  By default, in addition to running the writing center, I
also co-ordinate the academic peer tutors for Concordia.  Currently, I'm
mostly just a "matchmaker;"  I pull together a "yellow pages" of sorts of
peer tutors in different subjects along with information about how students
can reach them.  

I ask that the tutors fill out a session report each time they meet and they
make a copy of the report available for faculty who request/require it.
 That's about it.  It's not a bad system for hooking up students with tutors,
but I'm not sure it's always that effective or that any great tutoring is
going on.  I don't particularly want to "shepherd" this group as closely as I
work with the writing center crew, but I would like a better sense of their
general activity and effectiveness. I was wondering if any other of you
oversee academic tutors as part of your job and if you have any
suggestions/advice about organizing/training peer tutors in content courses.
 If this is not particularly writing center business, I'd be happy to chat
off-list.  Thanks!

Lynnell Edwards
Concordia University
Portland, OR