FACULTY AND STAFF INFORMATION
SI Frequently Asked Questions
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What types of courses does SI support?
SI generally supports foundational courses and uses the following criteria:
- High freshman and sophomore enrollment
- A DFW rate of 15% or higher
- An average enrollment of 75 students each semester
- Strong faculty support for the program
The SI program will consider all applications for partnerships on a case-by-case basis, and we welcome discussion to determine if SI is a good fit for your course! The SI program re-evaluates partnerships on a yearly basis.
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What are the responsibilities of the LASSO Center and of the partnering faculty/departments?
- In order to provide the best service for students, the LASSO Center expects our faculty and departmental partners to be engaged with and encouraging of the SI program. This means encouraging student attendance at SI sessions and walk-in hours, meeting regularly with their assigned SI leaders, and helping to identify SI leader candidates for their course(s).
- In return, faculty and departmental partners can expect the LASSO Center to provide extensive administrative support for the SI program, cover all costs associated with the SI program, provide thoroughly trained and skilled SI leaders, and provide accurate data management and reporting.
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How can my course/department apply for SI support or tutoring?
You may apply by completing the Course Request Form.
Additional support
Academic Support Talking Points
Learn how to discuss the services offered by the LASSO Center and the answers to questions students frequently ask.
Student employees: Training and qualifications
To work for the LASSO Center, a student must have earned an “A” in the course(s) they are assigned to, have taken the course(s) at OSU and have maintained a GPA above 3.0. All our tutors and SI leaders undergo recurring training each semester to better serve OSU students seeking services at the LASSO Center. Our CRLA accreditation requires specific training hours, topics and formats to maintain our status. These requirements are built directly into our training program. Students receive training that equips them with a holistic skill set as peer educators, including job-specific requirements, leadership training, best practices, multiple pedagogical techniques, customizing appointments to a student's specific learning style, motivational techniques and awareness of OSU resources to refer students as needed.
In addition to pre-semester training, students must complete multiple hours of professional development each semester, either through training offered by the LASSO Center, campus partner events or professional staff. Students are encouraged to use faculty as a resource to stay current with course material and to maintain strong relationships with faculty in case questions arise. If you have questions about student training, CRLA accreditation or student preparedness, please reach out to olivia.j.long@okstate.edu.
