Information About Using Our Peer Coaching Services.

We want to be certain that you understand the purpose and intent of our services, as well as your responsibilities as a user. Please take the time to read our list of Community Expectations and Standards in its entirety. If you have any questions, please contact us at tutoring@ithaca.edu.

I. COMMITMENT TO LEARNING

a. CLASS ATTENDANCE: I will attend classes on a regular basis and abide by attendance policies shown on course syllabi. I further understand that Peer Success Coaches and Learning Coaches are not responsible for teaching or lectures, and they cannot make up for my absences from class.

b. PURPOSE OF COACHING SERVICES: I understand that the purpose of Peer Success Coaching and Learning Coach services is for experienced students to serve as academic mentors/guides to inexperienced students.  Peer Success Coaches will help me adjust to collegiate and adult responsibilities.  Learning Coaches are responsible for sharing strategies for learning specific course content.  Both will motivate me to be a successful and engaged learner.

c. PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY: As a user of Peer Coaching or Learning Coach services, I understand that I am ultimately responsible for my success in all academic coursework. Coaches will support and guide me. It is up to me, however, to be an engaged learner and take responsibility for my success.

d. RESPECT FOR DIVERSITY: As a user of Peer Coaching and Learning Coach services, I will show respect for my IC peers, faculty, and staff. Engaging persons from diverse cultures, experiences, lifestyles, and opinions is a significant part of the collegiate learning process.

e. LEARNING MODALITY:  IN-PERSON, REMOTE LEARNING and/or ATTENDANCE: As a courtesy to my peers and to my professor who has prepared lectures and lessons for my benefit, I will attend classes and pay attention.  If any of my classes are REMOTE, I will keep my ZOOM camera on with my face visible during synchronous instruction.  If I cannot for any reason, I will inform my professor. 

f. ROUTINE, EFFECTIVE STUDYING: I will study on a regular and consistent basis. If I need to improve my overall study skills, time management, and approach to collegiate level academic immersion, I will discuss it with my peer coach or with staff professionals in the office of Tutoring and Academic Enrichment Services.

g. AVAILABILITY: Once I make a request for Peer Success Coach or Learning Coach services, I will make myself available for sessions when I am not in class, at work, or engaged in required sports or other formal extracurricular activities. I will also make myself available on weekends.  Academics and personal development are always my 1st priorities.

h. PREPARATION FOR SESSIONS: I will prepare for all meetings with my coach(es).  For tutoring, I will have completed the assigned readings for my classes, reviewed class notes, and studied. I will prepare questions ahead of time so that my participation in the Learning Cooperatives productive.  For peer success coaching, I will be prepared to discuss my progress and the specific assistance that I need.

i. CANCELLING A SESSION: Planning is important. If I have a schedule conflict, I will contact my Peer Success Coach or my Learning Coach at least 24-48 hours ahead of time. If I am ill, I will notify them as soon as possible.

II. ITHACA COLLEGE HUMAN and FINANCIAL RESOURCES

a. PROFESSOR'S OFFICE HOURS: Faculty are the first line of defense whenever I need help with challenging course material. I will visit my professor's office hours to ask questions about concepts and ideas that I don't understand. I will use this critical resource in tandem with Learning Coach services.

b. FACULTY ADVISING SERVICES: Faculty Advisors can answer my questions related to major and degree requirements, career goals, and much more.  Peer Coaches are not permitted to give me academic advice on course selection or degree and major requirements because it is not their role.

c. OTHER CAMPUS SERVICES: As a citizen of the IC Community, I understand that this is a diverse campus and there are many services. I will seek to understand the services at IC and ensure that I utilize those that are applicable to my needs.

III. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

a. PLAGIARISM: I have read in its entirety the Ithaca College Policy Manual Volume VII, section 7.2.4.1.1 on plagiarism and I fully understand what it means and the implications if I am charged.

b. GRADED ASSIGNMENTS: It is a violation of policy to ask my Peer Success Coach or my Learning Coach to help me with homework, take-home exams, midterms, finals or other graded assignments and projects. If I do so, I may be subject to disciplinary action.

c. GRADE APPEALS: I understand that I cannot appeal a low or failing grade in a specific course for any reason related to Learning Coach services.

IV. EVALUATION and ASSESSMENT

a. SESSION FEEDBACK: At any time, I can evaluate my peer coach. I can complete a brief session evaluation form shown on the Tutoring Services website, or I can send an email to the Manager of Tutoring Services at tutoring@ithaca.edu.

b. SURVEYS/FOCUS GROUPS: I agree to participate in Tutoring and Academic Enrichment Services evaluation and assessment activities when asked (online surveys and/or focus groups).

V. CONFIDENTIALITY STATEMENT / TITLE IX INFORMATION ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

a. Ithaca College complies with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. This act was designed to protect the privacy of educational records, to establish the right of students to inspect and review their educational records, and to provide guidelines for the correction of inaccurate or misleading data through informal and formal hearings.  For more information and to access a complete copy of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, please see the Ithaca College policy manual section on FERPA.

b. All educational institutions in the United States receiving federal funding are required to comply with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which mandates that: "No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance."  For more information about Title IX or for a list about confidential resources, please visit the Ithaca College web page for SHARE (Sexual Harassment and Assault Response and Education).