The Students’ Association has operated the peer tutoring scheme for many years now and it has proved to be a highly valued service providing academic support to marginal students who require additional face-to-face academic support.

Given the current student retention policy of University, the scheme may be considered more important than ever. Unfortunately due to severe financial constraints arising from VSU, the funding subsidy that operated to December 2006 has been withdrawn.

Following discussions with the Jumbunna Indigenous House of Learning in relation to retention issues for Indigenous students, the Students’ Association is now working to assist Jumbunna with their own tutoring scheme (ATAS) to help address dissatisfaction issues that have arisen with that service.

A proposal is currently in development that seeks to attract funding from the University Learning and Teaching Performance Fund Initiatives for peer tutor funding (as a student support service within the fund guidelines).

• The service is confidential with all records being maintained in a secure database
• The database of consists of senior students who register to be available as peer tutors in speciality subject areas
• Academic records are verified to ensure only students with a demonstrated ability in a subject area are accredited as tutors
• Students make inquiries at our offices seeking a peer tutor (often students are referred by word of mouth or from Faculty front-of-desk contact)
• Students complete an application that targets the subject requirements and their own areas of weakness;
• Students are matched with a peer tutor and the tutor’s details are sent to the student.
• Student and tutor negotiate the tutoring session and attendant fees.