Student dialogue will be at this college Sept. 16, SGA says.
By Alyssa Zapata
azapata84@student.alamo.edu
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Students can access live online tutoring, free printing, free Microsoft Word downloads and other resources this semester, said student government leaders and a learning lab employee.
The Student Government Association met Aug. 31 to discuss student resources and communication skills between students and professors.
SGA Vice President Jami Keeton discussed the live tutoring through BrainFuse on ACES.
The live tutoring began this past spring semester, said Geraldo Guerra, student learning assistance center coordinator, in an interview Thursday.
BrainFuse also provides editing for students’ essays and allows them to make personal flash cards for studying.
“The essays are edited by tutors who are hired through BrainFuse,” Guerra said. “BrainFuse is contracted with the district to provide tutoring for students, so any Alamo College student can access.”
Another way to maintain good grades is by “having an open communication with your professor,” Harley Williams, SGA president, said at the meeting.
“Your professors will notice when you try to put in more effort.”
Williams advised students to meet professors personally after class or send a professional well-written email to get to know them.
Students who miss class exams, tests or quizzes can ask professors to send the test to the student learning assistance center in Room 707 of Moody Learning Center where students can retake it, Keeton said.
The SLAC lab also provides tutors by walk-in or appointment, Keeton said.
Other resources for students include printing for 10 cents a page on the second floor of Moody, and the Empowerment Center offers free 15-page printing a day at 703 Howard St., Williams said.
Students can now click on “Technology Deal” under the student tab in ACES, where they can enter their student email to access Microsoft Word, Keeton said.
“All Alamo College students are eligible to access Microsoft Word,” Guerra said. The Ranger ran a story on April 20, 2015, about the free download that includes Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher, Access and Lync.
The downloads became available in the spring.
Mark Bigelow, student success interim director, brought up the new cafeteria contractor.
“Things have changed on the menu, and the first week of operation there were issues with the Alamo cash cards and prices are a little bit higher,” Bigelow said.
Student government will continue to monitor any issues with the new cafeteria contractor and they will discuss the issues with the cafeteria, Williams said.
Students also can voice any concerns at a Student Dialogue sponsored by the office of the chancellor 1-3 p.m. Wednesday in Room 218 of the nursing complex.
The next SGA meeting will be noon-1 p.m. today in the craft room of Loftin Student Center.
For more information about the Student Government Association, call adviser Chaye Peña at 210-486-1209.
