Thursday, September 30, 1993
When lectures just don't cut it
by Kristin Wasifewsiti
Collegian Sue
The Learning Assistance
Center (LAC) changed locations
this year by moving into the
second floor of the library.
Bob Patterson, director of the
LAC, believes the move from
behind the Glenhill Farmhouse
will help a lot.
"Once the tables get moved
into the library, this will be a
great new location," Patterson
said. "This will definitely be
more convenient."
This is the first time that the
LAC will have adequate space and
facilities to accommodate
students and tutors, Patterson
said.
The LAC is a free tutoring
service provided by Behrend. The
Center served about 1,000
students last fall and spring, and
Patterson hopes it will serve even
more with its new facilities.
Tutoring is available in various
subjects including math, science
and foreign languages.
Specifically, freshman subjects
are the most popularly requested
tutoring services, Patterson said.
Child Care Center begins first year
of operation for Behrend community
by Hal D. Coffey
News Edam
The Penn State-Behrend Child
Care Center opened for business
on August 16 after six years of
planning.
Elsie Diduch, Child Care
Center Director, said she was
very excited about the facility.
"It enables single moms or
returning adult students the
chance to come back to school
without having to worry about
where to send their kids during
classes."
The Center's purpose is to
provide child care services to
student, faculty and staff of
Behrehd, as well as: the local
community, Diduch snid.
"We try to '> provide
developmentally affropriate
curriculum for each off thoages.“
The Center, on Station Road,
provides day care and pre-school
sOmicesior 76 chilcke& ages sis
weeks to 12 years._They are
taught hY :10 regularajultstaff
and six part-time *got study
studelqq
b•., .
The staff use 1. 1 1 - ands-on
approach to teachiny t , Diduch
said. "We teach by: learning
through the sodas and
individualized attention"
Howevery the childraa; are
encouraged to develop.at their
own pace, Diduch said. "They
-The LAC is primarily staffed
by upperclass students.
Although the tutors do get paid
for their efforts, most of them
participate to help other students.
One of those tutors, Chuck
Holmes, said he tutors because he
enjoys it.
"You have to enjoy helping
pie."
Jennifer Obbenreder, another
tutor, added that she finds it very
personally rewarding.
"Tutoring is definitely not easy
work," Obbenreder said. "It also
requires a lot of time and
patience."
The Center has a sign-up
system, but walk-ins
appointments are available.
However, the sign-up students are
taken Cost.
Some of the tutoring sessions
occur because of
recommendations by professors,
Patterson said.
Also, professors receive notices
if a student in their class attends a
tutoring session. This is so a
teacher knows if students are
having problems with his/her
class, Patterson said.
. . , t:. Cl* BrovavCalegirin Photign3pher
Chlitfritftraf liwtioaalettrend Child Care : Cenfir take tlrne.out of their busy schedule his smile for our camera. As you can see the
order prooMeaturredOC.lttion for evplysinal '
are diallenged at their own levd. available. Diduch - said. Those
We provide - enriching activities 1. . associ4ed with Behrend are
tor each chili""- ' . 10% 4 4 1 a :40 *Wrale, •
Fees. depend an age of the The types of pr ograms vary
child sand frequency of - visits. from one hour per week to full-
There is -s variety of fee options time (7aak-3pm)" -
Jen Colvin/Co/09km Photographer
Two students enjoy the new Learning Assistance Center, now on the second floor of the library.
The entire project was
conceived by:4W Child Care
Task - Force Committee in 1987.
It , was designed, to loot into the
need.for child care for students,
faculty and staff akßehrend.
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