Academic center offers new programs

The Academic Affairs Committee meeting held last Wednesday highlighted new learning programs offered to UTM students.
Tyler Evans-Tokaryk, the director of the Robert Gillespie Academic Skills Centre, stated in the meeting that the RGASC will introduce new student support programs and initiatives, including an English Language Learning program, Numeracy Support, and Promoting Academic Skills for Success.
The English Language Learning will offer one-on-one appointment sessions that aim at improving referencing, speaking, and the writing skills of students.
The program will host online grammar sessions through a series of 10 PowerPoint workshops, and will be available on Blackboard to students.
There will also be an online academic integrity tutorial, which is still under implementation, that highlights all aspects of integrity, in addition to plagiarism.
The Numeracy Support program, through face-to-face appointments or drop-in sessions, will give students a chance to learn more about mathematical concepts like algebraic formulation, basic statistical methods, pre-calculus, and advanced functions.
The PASS program was launched in 2015, and acts as a learning model targeted towards “at risk” students—those who are failing their courses.
The PASS program is a seven-week, non-credit course that focuses on foundational academic skills, including listening, note-taking, reading, writing, problem solving, research skills, and critical thinking.
PASS will also mentor in small groups and will be based on interactive sessions.
Also on the agenda of the meeting was new consultation plans.
Amrita Daniere, UTM’s vice principal, academic and dean, stated that a draft plan about an improved UTM vision and development will be posted publicly this week for students to view.
Daniere also said that there will be public consultations and meetings with students to receive input and discuss their ideas regarding what they hope UTM achieves.
The next Academic Affairs Committee meeting is set on November 23.