Not all tutoring services cost as much as your SAT prep courses may have led you to believe.

Last semester at least 778 students received almost 10,000 hours of free tutoring from Binghamton University’s Center for Academic Excellence (CAE), says Director of Tutorial Services Steve Duarte.

CAE, which is a part of BU’s Discovery Program, offers tutoring in almost every subject each semester and ranges from introductory French to biochemistry.

According to Duarte, who has worked with the program since fall 2000, one of the greatest strengths of the program is the tutors — who are all students themselves.

“Last semester we had over 300 tutor evaluations,” Duarte said. “Only two were negative.”

He also emphasized the tutors’ interpersonal skills to connect with their students, as well as their understanding of the value of education. Tutors attend monthly training sessions with Duarte.

Alec Wilson, a senior biology major who has tutored since fall 2006, echoed Duarte’s sentiments.

“I think that the tutoring program is an excellent service for many students,” said Wilson, who is tutoring biology this summer. “It not only complements the students’ lecture and available office hours for material, but also helps many develop into confident and independent learners.”

According to both Duarte and Vice Provost H. Stephen Straight, the program had been reorganized in fall 2000 to move toward appointments and away from walk-in tutoring.

Straight referred to the change as having a trifecta of positive outcomes.

“In a three-cornered nutshell, the move toward appointment and group-based tutoring was one that we all agreed would allow Discovery to: 1) make better use of tutors’ time, 2) serve more students in more courses without increased costs and 3) give students exposure to study-group approaches to learning that they can go on to apply with no need for a tutor,” Straight said.

Duarte said participation in the program has increased significantly since the reorganization.

According to Duarte, 424 students signed up for tutoring in fall 2000. In fall 2007, 1,047 students signed up.

Laura Darnieder, a senior psychobiology major who has tutored since fall 2007, said she enjoys her job as a tutor.

“I’ve always been somewhat of a nerd, so getting paid for academic toil is definitely a perk,” said Darnieder, who primarily tutors Organic Chemistry I and II.

Director of Discovery Program Liz Carter said one of the greatest strengths of the program is the relationship between the tutor and their students.

“Sometimes students don’t want their TAs or professors to know that they are struggling,” Carter said. “When they come to tutoring, they can seek help without the people there who are going to grade them.”

Carter also said that she couldn’t think of any weaknesses in the program, only that she hopes it can continue to expand. While tutoring is currently centralized in the College-in-the-Woods Library, Carter explained that she would like to see several tutoring areas like the one in CIW on campus.

Students who want tutoring can sign up in the CIW Library, located on the top floor of the CIW Dining Hall.

Once a student is signed up with a tutor, they can make appointments based their schedules. Walk-in tutoring for other subjects is also available. Hours for walk-ins will be distributed in the Discovery Centers at each residential community.

According to library staff, however, tutoring isn’t the only highlight of the CIW Discovery Center, as students are constantly coming by to speak with both Duarte and department secretary Kellie Duff.

“Kellie is the best boss ever,” said Heliana Tavarez, who works as a receptionist at the front desk. “The best thing about her is that she is very understanding and will help you at any time.”