Academic Support Services
 
 
  THE DAVID O

THE DAVID O. McKAY LIBRARY

The David O. McKay Library’s collection numbers over 496,000 volumes including books, periodicals, government documents, microform, and other media.  This collection is greatly enhanced by a large number of on-line databases including e-books and e-journals, which are available on 450 computers in the library.  Items not available in the library may be requested through interlibrary loan and received through Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah and other university libraries.

Students, faculty, and staff use their BYU-Idaho ID card to check out books.  Off campus patrons may purchase a library card for $1.00, which will allow them to check out materials.

Recently remodeled in 2001, the library now has new lighting, carpet, heating and air conditioning, and furniture along with added study areas.  Seating capacity is approximately 1200 and includes study carrels, tables, and group study rooms.

The Family History Center is fully automated with competent assistants and knowledgeable instructors to help both the beginner and expert with their Family History research needs.

The Media Services area offers video viewing, video and audio production facilities, and hands-on Media Lab, scanning, videotaping, and a photo studio.

The library personnel, including faculty, staff, and student assistants, are anxious to help students locate and use materials.  Library orientation is offered on-line as part of campus Pre- Orientation Class GS 104, walking tours are available at the reference desk, and a one credit Library Research Class is offered each block.  Additional information is available at the library web site, which can be reached by going to the campus web site at www.byui.edu and clicking Library.

THE TESTING CENTER

 

The Testing Center facilities are located in the basement of the McKay Library and in the afternoons in the Taylor Building room 130. We administer “write-on examinations” such as short answer or essay tests graded by the instructor, “objective tests” scored and analyzed by the Testing server that immediately provides results, or a combination of the two. Standard tests such as the ACT, GED, PPST, TOEFL, CLEP, and tests scheduled by students from other universities are also administered by the Testing Center. The Testing Center provides a WEB page linked from the BYU-Idaho home page where students can look up their test scores and test deadlines and other general information about the Testing Center. The WEB page will also provide faculty with class scores, including item responses for each test. Some directions and information can also be obtained on our telephone information line at 208-496-1206.

 

Services For Students with a Disability (SSD)


Following admission guidelines, BYU-Idaho is committed to the full inclusion  of all otherwise qualified individuals who can benefit from its educational programs and activities. The Office of  Services for Students with a Disability (SSD), located in McKay Library, East 158,  assists in facilitating reasonable academic accommodations for all qualified students who have documented  learning, emotional, and/or physical disabilities (as defined by applicable disability law) and have need for reasonable accommodation.

 

The ultimate goal is to promote individual independence within the academic atmosphere of the university. Students are assisted in this process by SSD and by the support services and programs available to all BYU-Idaho students.

 

In order to provide academic accommodations the SSD Office must have on file medical or psychological information documenting the disability.  The information should be current within three years. That information must be from a qualified professional in the field that is appropriate for the disability.  The information should include:  diagnosis, level of severity, discussion of issues, test scores (in the case of learning disability), recommended accommodations, etc.

 

The professional should be clearly identified, with name, degree, specialty, address, and telephone number.  The University does not provide learning disability testing.

 

Academic accommodations include such things as: additional time for testing, preferential seating, volunteer note-takers, oral testing, audio taped lectures, priority registration, copies of overheads, distraction free environment for testing,  etc.

 

These accommodations are considered on an individual basis based on the clinical information and an interactive dialogue with the student with the disability. 

 

Services such as a personal attendant, help with activities of daily living (ADL’s), transportation to campus, or transportation on campus, etc., are classified as “Personal Services,” and not provided by the University.  Referral to appropriate agencies and resources is available through the SSD Office. 

 

Written descriptions of specific accommodations may be sent to instructors if needed or requested by students. With student’s permission, clinical  information regarding the disability may also be shared with instructors to  provide better services.

 

All students, regardless of disability issues, are encouraged to take advantage of the services offered in the Learning Assistance Labs, which include:

Reading Lab

Writing Lab

Math Lab

Study Skills Lab

Tutoring Center

 

These services are provided at no extra cost to the student.  It is the student’s responsibility to contact the labs and make arrangements for services.  Information can be found on the BYU-Idaho home page by following the prompts under “Students,” then “Services,” to “Learning Assistance Labs.”  A person may also call the LAL at (208) 496-1158.  Labs are located on the 2nd floor, McKay Library, East.  Elevator access is provided.

 

Grievance Policy

Students and instructors may contact SSD if challenges or concerns arise.  A good faith attempt will be made to resolve the situation or seek assistance from the administration.  Available grievance procedures provide for a discussion with individual students and the Director of the Learning Assistance Labs and the Director of SSD to resolve disputes. Those concerns should be provided to SSD in writing with appropriate documentation.  If agreement is not reached at that level, individual students  may request a formal review before the "Exception to Policy  Committee." The results of that review may be appealed to the University President or  President’s Council for final decision. Technical assistance and consultation are always available.

 

Contact:

 

Richard G. Taylor, Ph.D.

Director, SSD

BYU-Idaho

Rexburg, ID 83460-4121

phone: (208) 496-1158 voice/tdd

e-mail:   taylorr@byui.edu[1]

 

See also:

Adaptive Service Adventure Program (ASAP)

e-mail: sandersen@byui.edu

LEARNING ASSISTANCE

Learning Assistance offers a variety of learning support programs described below. These include the Tutoring Center and centers specializing in reading, writing, math, study skills, and disability services.

TUTORING CENTER

Students who desire help beyond their regular classroom instruction may seek assistance at the Tutoring Center. Individual, group or walk-in sessions are available. Tutors are chosen from students who have achieved academically in the class, completed a tutor-training program and have been approved by their department. There is no cost for this service; however, students are encouraged to first seek all possible help from instructors and class "help sessions" before coming to the Tutoring Center.

READING CENTER

The Reading Center helps students improve basic reading skills as well as learn skills to study university textbooks. Each student receives individual diagnosis, advising, and instruction. The Reading Center offers one-on-one tutoring for learning strategies, comprehension, phonics, vocabulary, speed, spelling, grammar, and critical thinking. Reading courses offer instruction in comprehension (English 100), specific reading skills (English 101), and the study of university textbooks (English 107). See the course descriptions for English 100, 101, and 107 in the Brigham Young University-Idaho Catalog.

Students who are non-native speakers of English can also receive extra help in the Reading Center. The English as a Second Language (ESL) program, located in the Center, is designed to help international students improve their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Students receive individual help with pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, listening comprehension, writing skills, and cultural adjustment. English 108 (oral) and English 109 (writing) are courses for students who are non-native speakers of English. E101 modules in grammar and pronunciation are also available for ESL students.

The Reading Center is a place where students can practice and improve their reading and language skills under non-threatening and authentic situations. Students may choose to register for credit or to complete a non-credit program.

WRITING CENTER

The Writing Center provides a relaxed environment for students who want to improve their writing process. Qualified student Assistants work individually with writers in free, confidential, twenty-minute sessions. Writing Assistants help students analyze drafts and learn writing strategies to help them create, revise, and edit university-level papers. Because the Center teaches writing as “re-writing,” a student may expect help revising a paper from rough draft form through to the final stages of editing. Writing Assistants also aid students in organizing and focusing research papers, incorporating paraphrases and quotations, and documenting texts, using both MLA and APA formats.  Grammatical and mechanical errors may be dealt with while students work with Assistants to shape ideas.  The Writing Center is a great resource for students especially when they come for assistance early in the drafting process. Writing Assistants and students work together to understand the following writing principles:

How to:

·     Discover and generate intriguing ideas

·     Write strong introductions and conclusions

·     Develop focused ideas through detailed, concrete discussions

·     Construct connecting sentences and transitions.

 

MATH STUDY CENTER

The purpose of the Math Study Center is to provide math support for all math students on campus by using the following three-fold effort:

The Drop-in Math Study Center is open 53 hours a week where a staff of tutors are available to answer math questions. In the Math Study Center you may work on your math homework and ask questions about what you do not understand.

 

Math Study Center hours:

Monday    

 

9am-5pm

 

Tuesday  

 

9am-9pm, Closed for Devotional

Wednesday 

 

9am-5pm

 

Thursday  

 

9am-9pm, Closed for Forum

Friday   

 

9am-5pm

 

 

Saturday 

 

9am-Noon

 

 

 

. One-on-one tutors: Tutors are available for all math classes offered at BYU-Idaho, and can be obtained outside the Math Study Center at the Learning Assistance secretary's desk which is open from 8-5, Monday through Friday. This is a free service, funded by the Church.

. Lecture-based University-prep Math Classes. We offer three courses taught in a lecture based setting by a dynamic group of professors.

            COURSES:

                                                         

                Math 100A  Arithmetic                           1 Credit

A study of arithmetic and applications using arithmetic.  This course is only for those needing a review.  Topics include: negative numbers, fractions, decimals and percents.

 

                Math 100B  Beginning Algebra              1 Credit

No previous algebra needed-work from basics up.  This course is recommended for those needing basic algebra before taking progressively higher math courses.

 

                Math 101   Intermediate Algebra                 3 Credits

Prerequisite: ability to demonstrate proficiency in first year algebra or Math 100B with a grade of “B” or higher.  This is the prep course for Math 108 or Math 110.  Math 101 may not be taken for credit if Math 110 has been completed with a grade of “B” or higher.

 

STUDY SKILLS CENTER

This program is designed to assist students in improving their study skills. Students may obtain help either by enrolling in a class or by visiting the Center at MCK 266.

Study Skills Class

GS 102 is designed to help students improve learning effectiveness, attitude and motivation, time management, studying textbooks, study habits, memory, concentration, etc., and to orient them to available services and resources. Students may either enroll in, or add, GS 102 on the block, or at semester.

Study Skills Center

This program is designed to help students improve their study skills as they enroll in a study skills modules or visit the Center or individual counseling.

Study Skills Center

Students may enroll in any study skills module listed below by registering in the Study Skills Center. Modules may be taken for credit, or on a non-credit basis; however, modules must be added by the 12th week of the semester, and each module may be registered for only once each semester.

GS 103 A-J

Study Skills Modules

.5 Credit per Module

GS 103A Concentration and Memorization

GS 103B Note Taking & Listening

GS 103C Thinking Skills

GS 103D Textbook Study

GS 103E Time Management

GS 103F Test Taking Skills

GS 103J Studying Chemistry

 

Counseling is also offered to help individual students with specific study problems. This counseling need not be registered for as a class or module if the problem may be solved on a short-term individual basis. Some of the areas addressed are time management, note taking, textbook study, and test taking.

                                               

COUNSELING CENTER

The Brigham Young University-Idaho Counseling Center, located on the second floor of the Kimball Building Suite 270, is staffed by well-trained professional counselors. Students who come to the Counseling Center receive help with a wide range of personal problems--from adjusting to university life, to depression and other emotional difficulties.

Students are assured of reliable, professional assistance in an atmosphere of warmth and understanding where confidentiality is maintained. Counseling is intended primarily for those students who can be helped in a relatively short time. It is not intended for those who need long-term therapy.

 

CAREER AND ACADEMIC ADVISING CENTER (CAC)

The CAC has full-time specialists and peer advisors available to help students with concerns about academic and career decisions. An excellent career library containing extensive career and university transfer information is available in the CAC for student use. This center utilizes a helpful computerized career decision-making program to assist in making career choices.

Students are assigned a faculty advisor who assists them in individualizing their education. The advisors help students keep on track for graduation from beginning to end. Advisors will receive copies of grades at mid-term and at the end of the semester. After the student applies for graduation the advisor will also complete a graduation evaluation.

Undecided majors are called General Studies. To change a major, a student needs to visit the Career and Advising Center located in Kimball 250.

How to Choose a Major

The CAC offers a series of computer modules you can take which will evaluate your strengths and will suggest a major or career best suited for you. This program is free of charge. GS 100, Career Exploration is a 1 credit course designed to help you choose a major and career.

Questions? Feel free to contact the Career and Advising Center. (208) 496-1167, or refer to the Brigham Young University-Idaho Home Page under Academics. http://www.byui.edu/Advising/

 

Leadership & Service Institute (L.S.I.)

Few institutions place as much emphasis on leadership training as does Brigham Young University-Idaho, where there is uniqueness in both the philosophy and magnitude of student development.

Brigham Young University-Idaho brings a gospel perspective to leadership. This approach emphasizes the Savior’s example to serve others through consistent, patient, and loving interaction with others. Our programs are open to all students who would like to participate. This differs from many universities that reserve leadership training for those who hold student body positions. We provide learning opportunities for any student who would like to improve him/her self. Our programs are divided into three areas:

Leadership & Personal Development

We sponsor evening workshops, overnight retreats, and Saturday conferences to help students develop leadership skills, enhance their self-esteem, and strengthen their testimonies. These seminars are held on various topics at a rustic ranch with a view of the Teton Mountains (about an hour from campus).  All students can participate. Transportation is provided and programs are at a minimal cost. Clubs and other campus organizations can also use the lodge for training purposes.

Community Service

The Institute helps students find meaningful service projects in the community and acts in a supportive role to encourage reflection and learning. One-time service projects are posted in our referral center. More involved service opportunities are offered through local agencies and campus clubs such as Adopt-A-Grandparent, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Family Crisis Center, Friendship/Homework Tutoring, Special Olympics, Blood Drives, etc. Student program directors coordinate each of these projects and can answer your questions and help get you involved.

Marriage Enrichment

As the family is considered preeminent in our Heavenly Father’s plan, we see the need to strengthen young couples as they begin to build their eternal relationship. The Institute provides a resource library and overnight retreats at the Teton Lodge that are designed to assist recently married students at Brigham Young University-Idaho.

For more information about these programs or to use our resource library visit or office or our web site http://www.byui.edu/lsi/Leadership & Service Institute
Manwaring Center #380
Brigham Young University-Idaho
Rexburg, ID 83460-0790
(208) 496-2596

 

 


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