2. A FEW THINGS TO KNOW
Tutors and tutees are often matched on a first-
come, first-serve basis. So apply early, if you can.
Policies on payment can be tricky. Be sure to
double-check that section of the PowerPoint.
Tutors and tutees who request each other apply
separately online, but they must also come to 301
Collis in person to be matched.
We are always happy to help you – that’s what
we’re here for! If you run into any problems or have
questions, blitz us at any time:
Tutor.Clearinghouse@dartmouth.edu
3. WHY ARE YOU HERE?
Your job is important, so it’s important that you do it
well.
Expectations
Roles and Responsibilities
Code of Ethics
Communication
With tutees
With professors
Learning Styles
What they are and how to use them
Problems, Resources and Suggestions
Payment
4. EXPECTATIONS
Professionalism. You may be tutoring a friend, an
acquaintance, an older student, etc., and it may be difficult to
establish a professional relationship with them.
Know the material. Do a quick review of the material you
learned when you were in the class, so that you have a good
grasp of what you’re helping your tutee in.
Set rules and boundaries. These can be as simple as setting a
regular meeting time and a meeting place, or it could be that you
both agree to have the tutee complete their readings and/or
assignments as best as they can before they meet you.
Find an appropriate setting and environment. For example,
make sure there is a table and two chairs – don’t sit on the floor
or on a couch.
Stay on topic. You are both committing your time and energy to
the session. Make it productive – don’t fool around or gossip.
5. EXPECTATIONS (CONT.)
Communication.
Communicate with your tutee about your expectations and
theirs.
Don’t be afraid to reach out to other tutors on the
blackboard site for help or extra information.
Let your tutee and/or Tutor Clearinghouse know
immediately if you have any concerns about the match:
you are overwhelmed and can no longer commit to the
match; your tutee is asking too much of you; the class
material is too different from what you are used to, etc.
You or your tutee may be shy. Try to accommodate for it as
much as possible, and be assertive without making your
tutee uncomfortable.
6. EXPECTATIONS (CONT.)
Time Commitment.
Your tutee should be high on your list of priorities. As a 1-on-1
tutor, you now have significant impact on another person’s
academic performance. Being a peer tutor is a job, and a
commitment that you’ve signed up for.
Obviously, things happen. If you need to reschedule your
meeting, consult your tutee. But try to stick to a regular meeting
time, if appropriate and possible.
Only sign up for as many tutees as you can reasonably
handle. You can always add more, but it is a hassle to
decrease the number of your tutees.
“I really can't stress the importance of scheduling enough. I
understand that as students themselves, tutors also have mid
terms and finals and lives, but they should know that they are
signing up to help a fellow student out… As tutees, some of our
grades and performances depend on the help we receive
from our tutor. Please just stress the importance of NOT being a
flake.”
7. EXPECTATIONS (CONT.)
Attitude. You are there to help a fellow student, to help them
love what you already (hopefully) do. It is your job to come to
work with a positive attitude, and to make them feel welcome.
Welcome questions. Tutoring is all about answering
questions that the tutee might have. Questions can be
unexpected and often tricky, and don’t be afraid to take some
time to think of an answer. But make the effort.
Be patient. What’s easy and simple for you may be difficult
for your tutee. That’s why you’re the tutor. Don’t be impatient
or condescending. Try different approaches of explanation,
because it could be your own teaching method that could use
some improvement.
Be comfortable. You’re not the professor or the TA, you’re
the peer tutor. Be as approachable, accessible, and friendly
as you can be without losing sight of your tutor position. Try to
establish a friendly and comfortable relationship with your
tutee.
8. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
You can:
Talk to professors about recurring questions/problems.
Share your strategies for studying and getting through the
class with your tutee.
Go over the syllabus (especially at your first session).
Go over completed assignments, returned exams, and
other materials that will not violate the Academic Honors
Principle.
Discuss the material with your tutee to help them gain a
deeper understanding of the class material.
Help your tutee review for an exam.
Answer your tutee’s questions about the class material.
Meet your tutee one-on-one.
9. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
You cannot:
Give answers to students, including homework and
problem sets. Instead, you must help them reach their
own answers.
Work and be paid for extra hours (more than 3 hrs/wk)
without prior permission from Tutor Clearinghouse.
Extra volunteer hours are fine.
Meet and tutor more than one student at a session
without prior permission. You must meet individually with
every tutee.
A violation of these regulations may result in
timesheet processing delay, a ban on working for
the Tutor Clearinghouse in the future, and/or
disciplinary action by the College under the
Academic Honors Principle.
10. CODE OF ETHICS
Confidentiality is important! Grades, concerns,
and other private information about your tutee
cannot be shared.
Refrain from engaging in discussions about the
professor that contain a negative tone. Attitude is
important.
If unable to resolve a situation, or have any
questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Keep the Academic Honors Code in mind at all
times.
11. RESOURCES
Faculty (e.g. questions on course content)
Academic Skills Center
Study skills/strategies
Website: http://www.dartmouth.edu/~acskills/
Student Accessibility Services
“Invisible” learning differences
Physical/mobility concerns
Chronic and/or mental health conditions
Deans
Undergraduate Judicial Affairs
Library
Tutor Clearinghouse Blackboard site
Don’t be afraid to ask for help yourself!
12. PAYMENT
Timesheet information can always be found on the
website.
You can be paid by Tutor Clearinghouse for up to 3
hrs/wk at $9/hr if you are tutoring someone on financial
aid or a varsity athlete team.
Common mistakes:
Dates. Make sure you know the payroll dates.
If you are being paid by your tutee separately, you are
responsible for receiving payment; we do not intervene. That
being said, if your tutee is uncooperative with payment, let us
know and we can work around it.
You must complete your I9 and W4 and turn them in to
Payroll
www.dartmouth.edu/~seo/student
www.dartmouth.edu/~seo/forms.html (for above forms)
Consult the list of acceptable documents for I9 identification
