Dear Paul Smith’s community,

An issue that is taking place under our watch is reaching its precipice and on the brink of putting hundreds of students at a disadvantage. Many find it difficult transitioning into the college environment, or maintaining motivation and diligence in classes we struggle in. For those of us who rely on the tutoring department, and on the writing center, we already know that it is a trying semester for the Academic Success Center. For those who are unaware, the department has lost several members of their staff who were key in providing the services needed by the aforementioned hundreds. Many students believe that even when those staff members were helping us, the services provided were less than what is needed. This semester, students are still waiting for tutors for classes, and it is nearing the fourth week of this semester. Tests are on the horizon for many, yet this disservice to our student body is receiving little, if any, recognition by our college’s provost, Nicholas Hunt-Bull.

Recently at a meeting about the school’s concern about Governor Cuomo’s plan to make SUNY colleges free, the school disclosed its intentions for improving the dining hall; when I walk around and see Christmas lights all around this campus, and see trenches being dug for conduit, and then hear about a lack in budget on top of the proposed plans for campus beautification, I wonder how seriously this school takes the needs of us students! Coming here I see the truths of this institution, and I see its lack of eagerness to improve upon the systems in place to better a student’s chances for success.

They have lost several people who helped students; where are their replacements? Is there suddenly no demand for assistance!? I call BS! We must fight for our rights as a student body, and we must demand better from those who have neglected the academic support department this year.

We need professional tutors capable of tutoring multiple classes, and capable of working in the writing center when there is a shortage of student tutors.

We need more staff assigning students to tutors, so that students may have a tutor sooner, which allows them to be proactive with their studies. We should not have to wait for tutors until the fourth week of the semester, when tests are upon us and we are not prepared. We need help from the college that told us these services were in place!

We hold our needs in the open, Provost Hunt-Bull. What is your move?

By Freudian Slip