Sarah Mead
Staff Writer
smead@murraystate.edu
Murray State developed new campus tutoring options to comply with COVID-19 standards and to help students who may be struggling more than usual because of the pandemic.
The Lowry Center partnered with Penji, an app that allows students and tutors to hold sessions virtually. Students can set up an account with their University username and password. The app shows a list of all the subjects offered for tutoring, as well as what days, times and tutors are available for those subjects.
The subjects available for tutoring are as follows:
BIO: 101, 115, 221, 227, 228
CHE: 101, 105, 111, 201
CIV: 201
CRJ: 140, 220
CSC: 199
MAT: 110, 115, 117, 130, 140, 145, 150, 215, 220, 230, 250
PHY: 125, 126, 130, 131, 132, 133
POL: 140
PSY: 180
SOC: 133
SPA: 101, 102
STA: 135
Through Penji, students can schedule Zoom meetings with available tutors. The app allows for greater flexibility in scheduling, which allows the Lowry Center to offer more tutoring timeslots.
“The primary goal is, of course, to help these students in their courses, but I think during this time when we’re more isolated, it’s important for students to have that interaction with other people,” said Sarah Williams, tutoring coordinator. “Our center is conducted by peer tutors, meaning that the tutors are also Murray State students and they can empathize with a lot of the same issues the students they are helping are going through.”
As students and professors are adapting to hybrid and fully online course schedules, the new tutoring system is one of many ways the University is trying to adhere to social distancing guidelines while also encouraging student success.
“Reach out for help if you need it, whether it’s a homework assignment, exam, stress or personal issue,” Williams said. “There are so many places on campus that are set up to help students with problems big or small, take full advantage of them. If you have a problem, but don’t have a clue where to start, ask your advisor for advice.”
The Penji app is free and can be downloaded from either the app store or here.