Academic Support Center
The Academic Support Center provides a variety of academic support services to help our students realize their educational and career goals. We help students recognize and build on their strengths and learn how to overcome or compensate for their weaknesses. Through developmental courses, peer tutoring, individual instruction, collaborative learning, and counseling, we work with students at all academic levels. We also provide academic support services to students with disabilities and work closely with the faculty to empower all students to be academically successful.
Content Area Tutoring
Free one-on-one tutoring in many courses may be arranged by coming to Room #14, second floor of the library to fill out a request form. Please call the Administrative Assistant with any questions at (614) 823-1610.
Tutors in music and foreign languages should be arranged directly through those departments. Please contact Music at (614) 823-1508 and Modern Languages and Cultures at (614) 823-1361.
Supplemental Instruction
Supplemental Instruction (SI) is a series of weekly review sessions in targeted courses for students taking historically difficult courses. SI is provided for all students in those courses who want to improve their understanding of course material and improve their grades. SI gives students the opportunity to get together with classmates to compare notes, discuss concepts, develop study strategies, and test themselves before the professor does. An SI leader, who is an ASC instructor or a competent upper-level student, guides students through the material. Attendance is voluntary.
Math Lab
The Otterbein University Math Lab provides free tutoring to support coursework in several math courses. There is no appointment necessary to get the help you need. Just call the Academic Support Center Office at (614) 823-1610 for information on the Math Lab schedule and offerings. A new schedule is printed each semester and copies are available in the Math Lab. Click here for current schedule.
Summer Hours: The Math Lab does not offer regular open hours during the summer. If you need help, please contact psens@otterbein.edu or call 823-1610 or Ann Biancamano at abiancamano@otterbein.edu or call 823-1823.
Writing Center
The Writing Center offers you a variety of services to help you write essays, research papers, compositions, and more. We offer:
- Help with any part of a writing assignment
- Advice on how to identify and target recurring problems in your writing
- Resources such as handouts, references, and exercises
- A friendly work environment
- A good listener if you'd like to try out an idea
To prepare for a session with Writing Center staff, you should bring your assignment; a draft on paper or saved electronically if you'd like to work with a consultant at our computers; your notes, outline, or pre-writing; and your ideas and questions. We won't proofread or grade a paper for you, but we're happy to work with you on your writing.
Walk-in Hours (no appointment needed)
Our writing assistants are available for walk-ins from the hour indicated on the schedule until 10 minutes until the next hour. Sessions are 50 minutes maximum, so we encourage you to arrive at the beginning of the hour. Click here for current Writing Center hours schedule.
Appointments
If you'd like to make an appointment, email us at writingcenter@otterbein.edu. Appointments must be made at least three (3) days in advance. Check the schedule for appointment times, select a time that's convenient for you, email us, and we'll confirm that the time you chose is available.
Email
We invite you to contact us at writingcenter@otterbein.edu with short, specific questions about your writing. We'll respond to you within 48 hours, Monday through Friday. It is important to keep in mind that we cannot read and respond to whole essays sent to us by email. If you would like to discuss an entire essay, we encourage you to visit us in the Writing Center. Schedule an appointment or stop in during our open hours.
Questions sent by email need to be specific and focused. Examples of questions that we can answer in response to your email:
- Please take a look at my introduction. Does my thesis seem clear and functional?
- How do I write a work-cited entry in MLA style for a personal interview?
- Here is one of my supporting paragraphs. Are my quotations incorporated and my in-text citations correctly formatted in APA style?
- How do I footnote in Chicago style?