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Show 10 Page MORE THAN JUST A NUMBER helping with the organization of papers; study Southwest Missouri State University is an institution of 12,000 students, situated in what is primarily a rural area. For many students, coming from communities with a population of less than 1,000 to a university activities, services, programs, and life styles. He is available to the student at any time of the day or night. of this size, the culture shock is significant. It is difficult, at best, for a student to be more than just a number to his teachers and the The administrators of the institution. third Services major activity of the Special . Project involves all instructors of every Special Services student. The instructors The Special Services Project at SMSU has a major goal to help the student qualified for this service to achieve in this situation and to help him feel that he is something more than receive a simple checklist three times a semester asking for four specific types of informa- of individual students who have no definitive ‘instructor’s a grade), in rate estimation absenteeism, the a student tutoring. space characteristics other than low family income could reserved for comments, Financial Aids office—to set them apart from the student body as a whole. Moreover, they don’t want to be set apart, singled out, or otherwise identified. difficulties as they see them. These comments are invaluable to the Special Services staff in most the the Special academic to evaluation. identifya Most student's in evaluating the poor program class itself. attendance, habits are some of the more problems. Lack of motivation and students Services Special almost be to seems habits universal this on campus. A study seminar to help overcome this problem was conducted for the group and another is being planned. The beneficial instructors’ to the Special evaluations are also Services student, in that, his instructors become more aware of him as an individual and watch his progress and study | Services time motivation, poor study among of serious personal problems detract- Secondly, of study as well. The tutor may else in contact with the ing from his ability to concentrate effectively. of the personal basis by the student assistants and/or the project coordinator. The problem of poor that is particularly difficult for him. Surprisingly enough, many students also use their student take is poor class attendance can be approached ona community and can offer the kind of in-depth assistance a student may need to pass a course tutors as confidants know before anyone and Lack common Faculty tutors can help bridge the and gram and primary goal of a student attending a university should be to understand and achieve in student part A which is probably the formulating goals and objectives for the pro- the various departments of the university. The the valuable instructors The Special Services Project at SMSU engages in three activities directed toward achieving the above-mentioned goal. First and foremost, is tutoring by faculty members in between from and of whether and low high school class percentile rank— both of which are virtually unknown to all but the Special Services staff and possibly the gap benefit of class ‘activities, more closely than they might otherwise. It might Project has been be added here that the project benefited greatly by the efforts of a employs upperclassmen as student assistants for the students served by the project. Students new to the campus may have many cheerful, outgoing secretary who can communicate with faculty and students alike. She questions in regard to university policies, social activities and interpersonal relationships flowing has together helping a welfare mother find shoes for her five children; helping students find part-time mates, parents iron out difficulties with roomand boyfriends or girlfriends: much and to keep knit help the work this group. smoothly. which the student assistant can answer. In the past, these assistants have been involved in jobs; helping done | BY: Joyce Teague, Coordinator Special Services Project Southwest Missouri State University Springfield, Missouri siniailetsiisiteeaaieemitiaieaiiag Broad words, participation The other Ax tion: evaluation of the student’s progress (in just a number. In a population of this size it is — impossible to keep one’s finger on the pulse his classes. December is a friend, confidant, motivator, supporter, and bridge to the campus community—its 1975 habits, etc:, etc. In short, the student assistant |
