There are a multitude of resources available on campus to assist you with your academic studies. Please make use of them. Below you will find links to these offerings.

Academic Advising: Get answers to general academic advising questions at advise@umw.edu. If you feel you are in academic jeopardy or need to speak to a dean in Academic Services, please call 540 654-1010 to make an appointment.

Computer Labs: Know where computer labs are on campus and what their hours are.

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS): Stress can negatively affect your academic performance, as well as your overall well-being. CAPS offers relaxation techniques, test and speaking anxiety advice, as well as counseling.

Important Dates: Know the dates and deadlines of the academic calendar and other schedules.

Language Coordinators: Language coordinators are international students studying for the semester or year at UMW who can offer tutoring in their native languages. Contact the Department of Modern Foreign Languages at 540 654-1032 to set up tutoring. The Language Coordinators for the 2011-12 academic year are:

Arabic – Maysoon Al-Sayed   malsayed@umw.edu  Combs 235    Ext. 1998

Chinese – Wenlian Zhang   wzhang@umw.edu  Combs 227    Ext. 1990

German – Michael Friedrich   mfriedr2@umw.edu

French – Lisa Morano   lmorano@mail.umw.edu   Combs 235   Ext. 199

Italian – Alessandra Cerizza   acerizza@mail.umw.edu   Combs 221   Ext. 1992

Spanish – Amaia Morris   amorris5@umw.edu    Combs 235   Ext. 1998

Library Online Tutorial will walk you step-by-step through the UMW libraries, from a virtual tour to how to locate the exact information you need.

Mermaid is a four-year planning tool designed by the Computer Science department. It is an extremely useful tool for students to use when planning their path to graduation. The four-year plan can also be saved and accessed by the student’s advisor.

Referral Sheet for UMW Students: This two page document is in PDF format and lists the contact information for offices that can assist you with the various issues you may encounter.

Scheduling Worksheet: A handy worksheet that will help you with scheduling your courses at UMW.

Speaking Center’s goal is to provide individualized consultation sessions and printed, audio-visual, and web resources to assist the university community in achieving its liberal arts education goals. The Center houses a collection of instructional resources (books, handouts, videotapes and equipment) which address a variety of topics ranging from public speaking anxiety to constructing effective visual aids. Consultants are available to videotape practice presentations and to provide feedback. Consultants are also prepared to offer advice on special types of oral communication activities such as speeches, group presentations, debates or interviews.

Starfish gives students a way to easily book an appointment with Faculty and Advisors during times that they set for those meetings.  It allows students to tell Faculty or Advisors of any special concerns in advance and to provide other information, including a photo with their appointment notice.  Starfish also provides reminders, calendaring and tracking for your advising appointments.

Study Skills: A series of study skills building workshops. Topics such as time management, note taking, and test preparation are offered, to provide strategies for academic success. Workshops are facilitated by students or the Assistant Dean of Academic Services and are designed to assist students as they adjust to the rigors of academic life.

Tutoring services offered through the Office of Academic Services are free of charge. Tutors are UMW students who have taken the class you need assistance with and have earned a grade of B or better. Please visit our “Tutoring” web page for more detailed information.

The Writing Center offers free tutorial assistance to students, regardless of major, class level, or skill level. Tutors:

• typically begin by reviewing the assignment sheet and asking what concerns students have about their papers.
• sometimes skim drafts quickly to get a sense of overall organization.
• may work on only one section or try to cover the entire draft.
• ask questions rather than give answers, leading students to discover what is wrong and what they can do to correct the problem.
• Sessions normally last from 30 to 50 minutes.

At the end of the session, the tutor writes a report giving a summary of what was discussed during the session.  The report is not an evaluation of the paper or the student.  A copy of the report is sent to the instructor for whom the student is writing the paper. The Writing Center is located in Trinkle 107A. Call x1036 to make an appointment.

Comments or Questions? Please contact our office.