Learning Commons Provides Student Support

By Brian Kleemann

Students are quickly discovering the new Learning Commons as a source for all of their academic assistance needs.

Located in the Student Resource Center, Room 2102, the Learning Commons at College of DuPage brings several service areas into one location to offer assistance in a variety of ways, including tutoring and math, writing, reading and speech assistance. It is also home to Course Connections, which provides support for flexible learning and developmental English and math courses, as well as assistance with navigating campus and course software. Students can receive personal assistance from faculty or staff members, peer tutors or professional tutors.

Since moving into its new 11,800 square-foot location this past summer, the Learning Commons has quickly become popular with students, said Diane Szakonyi, manager of Learning Support Services.

“We expected an increase in students, because they come for one service and now see something else that may be helpful to them. But even we were surprised at how many students found us immediately after we moved in,” she said. “Before leaving, many students were signing up for future appointments.”

The new office on the second floor of the south SRC – where Admissions, Registration and Counseling once resided – is conveniently located near Campus Central, the Library and the Testing Center. Rooms for group tutoring and larger classrooms for instruction or meetings are also available, as well as space for students to work individually, with a tutor or faculty member. A dedicated speech studio contains a computer bunker, camera and flat-screen TV for student recording and review of presentations. Small group rooms allow faculty and students to work in a distraction-free environment where they can focus on learning.

“We are maximizing the use of our space,” Szakonyi said. “At the same time, people really like the area’s open, comfortable feel.”

Even with the initial success of the Learning Commons, Szakonyi hopes more students realize that assistance is just a step away.

“Students often ask us how much our services cost, and they are surprised that it’s free,” she said. “We are committed to fostering student success, and we do everything we can to make that happen. We want students to feel comfortable here so they ask for the help they need.”

The Learning Commons is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays to Thursdays, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fridays, 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays and 1 to 4 p.m. on Sundays, with special hours for College breaks. Students can also find the Learning Commons at the College’s regional centers in Bloomingdale, Naperville and Westmont.

For more information about the Learning Commons, call (630) 942-3941 or visit www.cod.edu/academics/learning_commons.