The ARC- the Academic Resource Center
Staffed primarily by students, the ARC offers individualized and group learning opportunities and support. Scroll down for a list of our various programs and services.
Writer’s Block
The Writer’s Block welcomes all students enrolled in courses—at all levels and in all classes. Trained writing assistants work one on one with student writers on any and all aspects of the writing process: brainstorming, planning, drafting, revising. Monday-Thursday 6-9 and Sunday 4-9. Rahme 110. Current tutoring schedule for additional open hours can be found here.
Tutoring
Many 100 and 200 level classes at Blackburn have tutors available—students who have taken the class and been successful. The ARC strongly encourages students to attend tutoring sessions regularly – research consistently shows that frequent and short spurts of studying are much more effective than pre-test cram sessions.
For questions or to schedule an appointment, please contact Barbara Clark, bclar@blackburn.edu or x4359.
ARC tutoring schedule found here
CO 105
An academic skills course offered for new and returning students, focusing on: motivation, time-management, listening, note-taking, reading, memory, and test-taking. Students apply learning skills to work being done in other courses.
To enroll, contact Barbara Clark at ex. 4359 or barbara.clark@blackburn.edu.
Supplemental Instruction
Supplemental Instruction (SI) is a form of group tutoring that has demonstrated success in improving students’ academic performance. SI leaders (trained students) attend class, take notes, and design study sessions to help students learn the study skills essential for success in the particular discipline.
Student Success Program
The Student Success Program (SSP) is designed to assist students’ transition from high school to college. The program includes three integrated components that researchers suggest enhance student performance in their first year, including:
- Enrollment in CO 105
- Participation in SI sections tied to one of the courses in which they are enrolled
- Intensive advising to reinforce study strategies introduced in CO 105 and to help the student identify and utilize campus and community resources.
Accommodations
ARC staff assists the college counselor in assessing and facilitating academic accommodations for students who require them.
Mission Statement
The Academic Resource Center (ARC) at Blackburn College will promote and enhance student learning. In that mission, we seek to:
- Challenge and support students to become independent learners
- Foster active learning
- Offer professional development opportunities for students, faculty, and staff
- Facilitate support for students with academic accommodation needs
- Partner with the library to promote and facilitate student use of academic resources
- Help students apply the ideals of the work program—responsibility, commitment, collaboration—to their academics.
