Academic Support Program

The UWLS, together with the Student Bar Association (SBA), is launching a pilot program in 2007 to help its students succeed in their pursuit of a legal education. The Academic Support Program (ASP) will offer peer tutoring and study skills workshops designed to help students do their personal best in law school. As you work your way through Winter Quarter, you may find it useful to read the ASP's Reference Guide Halfway to Final Exams--Coping with Winter Quarter that discusses how to evaluate your performance and make changes to do your best on your upcoming finals.

Mission

The study of law is unique, and so is its pedagogy. The ASP will help students craft their own approach to studying legal issues by offering instruction and peer tutoring. The ASP does not take the place of professors, case books or study guides. Instead, the program will enable students to get the most from these resources as they adjust to the rigors and complexities of studying the law.

Programs

The ASP will help 1L students adapt to the academic demands of law school through three different types of activities: workshops, drop-in tutoring, and long-term tutoring.

Workshops

Prof. Sarah Kaltsounis will lead workshops throughout the year that focus on the skills students need to succeed in law school. Each quarter will present slightly different topics, although the most popular—outlining and exam-taking strategies—will be offered several times so that all students may take advantage of them.

Drop-In and Long-Term Tutoring

2L and 3L tutors will be available to work with 1L students to help them develop study habits, adapt their learning styles, and manage the academic side of law school that is not covered in the classroom. Depending on preference, students may choose to do one-on-one tutoring or small group tutoring. The tutoring sessions will be based on the ASP workshop topics and other skill topics, such as how to form a successful study group.

Peer tutors will staff between three and five hours of tutoring a week (except the first, last and exam weeks of the quarter). Each session is a half-hour, and students can reserve a time spot by filling out an online request form. Each student must note a specific topic that he or she would like assistance with, and these sessions generally are assigned on a first-come basis, although limits may apply.

The ASP will also offer long-term weekly tutoring until the end of the first year (or until no longer needed/desired by student) to a small number of students. This program will take the place of the informal tutoring system that has been in place at UWLS to help those students that find they need additional help. Students can be referred to the ASP program through Dean Lisa Kelly after consultation with the student and his or her professors.

Eligibility

In its first year, the ASP’s workshops will be open to all students: 1Ls, 2Ls, 3Ls, and LLM students. However, drop-in tutoring is reserved for 1L students only. If the peer tutors cannot accommodate the demand for tutoring requests, the program coordinator may need to do any of the following to ensure that 1Ls students have equal access to the program:

1. If possible, combine students with similar needs to the same session so the tutor can run a small group session.
2.  Priority system:
   1. Students who have not been to a tutoring session before receive priority
   2. Students who have been to a tutoring session in the past two weeks receive priority
3. Student may not go to more than three (3) drop-in sessions per quarter or six (6) over the entire first year.
   • In the rare case that a student becomes disqualified, the program coordinator can meet with the student to evaluate his or her need and to direct the student to resources that are available on campus.
   • NOTE: The program coordinator will keep track of students seen during tutoring sessions
4. Missed meetings: if student misses his or her scheduled time without contacting the tutor in advance, the program will reserve the right to refuse further tutoring.

Confidentiality

All records kept for ASP, including any student’s request for tutoring, will be kept confidential. Access to such records will be limited to the SBA’s Executive Vice-President (Rike Connelly), the ASP’s faculty advisor (Prof. Sarah Kaltsounis), and the ASP program coordinator. Individual requests for tutoring and session records will also be available to the 2L/3L tutor responsible for the student or the specific drop-in session.