Math learning center aides thousands of students

While the Math Learning Center has had more than 4,800 visits from students this semester, its fate is unclear for spring.  Recently, Math Learning Center Director Mary Middleton was informed that there may be funding issues concerning the center, but that administration was working on the problem.

Middleton and the center’s staff were notified of the issue by CSU-Pueblo Provost Russ Meyer who said the center’s budget was only guaranteed for the fall semester thus far.

The center’s funds are not included with the math department, but in a subset department of its own. Funds for the center are collected from student fees and a foundation account.

However, this funding is running out and could cause the doors to close after winter.

“I know students need this center,” Middleton said. “We have so many success stories of students who come in here, work hard and achieve what they thought was impossible.”

Middleton said the fall semester typically draws more students than the spring because there are new students and more class sections offered.

“We always know when it’s test time because the center is packed and there are students lined up outside the center and down the hall,” Middleton said.”

According to Middleton, the math professors are supportive to the livelihood of the center because it is helpful to their students.

Professor Funk-Nuebauer said he always encourages students to use the center for extra help.

“Our math professors are excellent because they always keep themselves motivated in order to pass that same motivation on to their students,” Middleton said.

The center is intended to provide student math tutors, additional help outside of the classroom and further explanation on various math topics.

“I have seen some students plan a visit to the center within their schedule,” Middleton said. “They make it a regular part of their everyday routine.”

Middleton said students also visit the center in groups for study sessions.

In addition, Middleton said the tutors also utilize the center as a hands-on learning tool.

Math tutor Sunny Park, a math and nursing double major said he enjoys helping his fellow classmates in the center.

“Being an international student, everyone helped me learn English and I want to say ‘thank you’ by helping them with their math studies,” Park said.

Park has been a tutor for the center for two years.

“Those tutors are eventually going to be teachers,” Middleton said. “They need this time to prepare for the future by helping their peers.”

Middleton said she has recommended graduates for jobs and has agreed to be a reference for those students.

She also said the center has become a small inviting community where students feel comfortable to ask questions and reach set goals.

Courtney Adams, a junior majoring in biology said she appreciates what the center has to offer.

“If I need help, I know the center is there,” Adams said. “I would probably be failing if it wasn’t for the center.”

Adams said she visits the center for help almost everyday.

Also, Phil Maldonado, a junior majoring in civil engineering said he thinks the learning center is a good environment to get work done.

“It seems like they know everything here, they can always help me solve a math problem,” Maldonado said. “I know I would be struggling if there was not a center like this one.”

According to Middleton, the center is expecting to break the average of student visits this year.

“Usually we get about 8,000 visits a year, and we have already had about 5,000 this semester,” Middleton said. “It’s only October and we have had more than half that amount of visits.”

Middleton said she is glad the center is here to help students reach goals and break boundaries, and she hopes it will be around forever to continue aiding this accomplishment.

Efforts to contact Meyer for further comment on the issue were unsuccessful.

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