Information for Students
- Who is eligible?
- What is the cost and how does this work?
- When can I start? How do I sign up?
- What is the time commitment? What can I expect?
- What are my responsibilities as a participant?
- What is the STEM Reward Program?
- What if I need more information?
- What else does the program offer?
- What other resources are available?
Who is eligible?
You are eligible to participate in the STEM Program as long as you are an undergraduate student currently enrolled at WMU, are currently (i.e., during the current semester or session) taking the course(s) for which you are requesting tutoring services at WMU, and meet any of the following eligibility requirements:
- You have not declared a major or be admitted into your intended major
- You are federal financial aid-eligible
- You are a first generation college student
The following students have priority status: Recipients of the Multicultural Leader Scholarship (MLS), participants of the Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Academy, recipients of the Kalamazoo Promise scholarship, participants of the Seita Scholars Program, and students registered with the Office of Disability Services for Students (DSS).
All other students who meet the eligibility requirements will receive services on a first-come first-serve basis, subject to availability of peer mentors. Other WMU students who do not meet the above requirements may still utilize our services only after all eligible students have been served. Requests may be granted and denied at the discretion of the STEM Director as deemed appropriate.
What is the cost and how does this work?
This program is FREE for all currently enrolled WMU undergraduate students.
While you may sign up to receive tutoring services for any undergraduate course(s) you are currently (i.e., during the current semester or session) taking at WMU and every effort will be made to fill your request, we cannot guarantee a peer mentor for every course. You must be currently enrolled in the course(s) for which you seek tutoring because we offer tutoring services to help reinforce lessons students have learned in classes, not prep courses for future courses or standardized tests.
We offer academic support in many subject areas including, but not limited to, mathematics, statistics, computer science, engineering, biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, philosophy, sociology, business, writing, foreign languages, etc. This is subject to change depending on the availability of peer mentors. Services are provided for most lower-level courses (1000 and 2000 levels) and select upper-level courses (3000 and 4000 levels).
When can I start? How do I sign up?
- Immediately! Do not wait until you are in academic difficulty to take advantage of our services.
- You are strongly advised to sign up by the second or third week of the semester as we are typically near capacity by then. Most participants sign up before the semester starts or by the first week.
- Peer mentor assignments are made on a first-come first-serve basis and the availability of peer mentor varies by courses and/or subject areas from semester to semester. You will be put on the waiting list for the next available peer mentor if there is not one available for the course or subject area for which you have requested tutoring services at the time of sign-up.
- To sign up, please complete this sign-up form.
- Please use your Bronco NetID and password combination to sign in.
- When a window pops up, please click the "No" button.
- If the login fails, even if you enter your correct Bronco NetID and password, register your Bronco NetID with WMU’s Active Directory Environment (WADE).
- Note: You must re-sign up every semester even if you had signed up previously.
- Upon receiving your sign-up form, your contact information will be given to your assigned peer mentor and the peer mentor will contact you by email. Please make sure you check your email regularly after signing up.
- Peer mentors are in high demand before mid-term and final exam weeks, so please plan accordingly and do not expect your tutor(s) to be "on-call."
What is the time commitment? What can I expect?
- Please review the Your STEM Peer Mentor document, which outlines what you can expect out of your mentor-mentee relationship.
- Your peer mentors have flexible schedules and can meet you at a mutually agreeable place and time.
- They, however, cannot be "on-call" and will not be able to meet with you on a short notice. It is advisable for you to schedule your appointments at least 48 hours in advance.
- Additionally, you must only meet in a public place that is conducive to learning, such as the library, Bernhard Center study areas, residence hall study lounges, and other common study areas. Please do not meet one-on-one in a private space, such as a bedroom, apartment, or house.
- How much or how little time spent is totally up to you, but of course, the more time you are willing to commit, the better! Note: Your academic success depends on your effort in developing strong academic behaviors, including, but not limited to, attending classes regularly, completing all homework assignments, meeting with your tutor(s) consistently, etc.
- You are strongly encouraged to meet regularly at the same time and place for tutoring. Our suggestion is to meet with your tutor for at least 45 minutes to one hour, up to twice a week.
- While every effort will be made to ensure that you are assigned a peer mentor in a timely manner, signing up does not guarantee that you will be assigned a peer mentor immediately. You will be notified within three days of signing up in the event that a peer mentor is not immediately available or if no peer mentor is available.
- Additionally, it may take up to two days for your peer mentor to get in touch with you after being assigned. Please contact the STEM Director immediately if you have not heard from a peer mentor after a week of signing up.
- Your peer mentor will help reinforce lessons you have learned in your class(es) but cannot serve as a substitute teacher.
What are my responsibilities as a participant?
- You will attend class regularly. Your peer mentor can help you review and work through trouble spots but cannot serve as a substitute teacher.
- You will check your email regularly after signing up and respond to your peer mentor(s) in a timely manner.
- You will not expect peer mentor(s) to be "on-call" and/or perform a miracle for you at the last minute, e.g., the night before a paper is due or before an exam. Please set up appointments ahead of time, preferably with at least 48 hours' notice.
- You will make every effort to keep your appointments with your peer mentor(s) and arrive at tutoring sessions on time.
- You will respect your peer mentor's time and contact him or her ahead of time if you need to cancel or re-schedule an appointment. Remember that your peer mentors are full-time WMU students as well and may have another part-time job, and that there are other students who also need their help.
- You will participate and give your full attention during tutoring sessions.
- You will do your homework and read your assignments before coming to the tutoring session. You will not expect your peer mentor to complete assignments or take-home exams for you - this is cheating! Your peer mentor will help you with your assignments by giving you examples and providing concepts and formulae. The work that you turn in must be your own.
- You will ask appropriate questions to seek clarification when your peer mentor's explanation is not immediately clear to you.
- You will immediately report any suspected or alleged instances of wrongdoing or misconduct or concerns about inappropriate service provisions and practices by any peer mentor to the STEM Director. In case of a medical emergency or an immediate threat to your personal safety, please call 911 or the WMU Police at (269) 387-5555.
What is the STEM Reward Program?
- You will also be rewarded for participating in STEM!
- In addition to improving your grades, STEM offers a reward program for continued goal fulfillment.
- Your peer mentor will issue you a STEM reward card and explain the terms and conditions to you at your first meeting.
- Click on the STEM Reward Program (Student) document for more information about the STEM Reward Program.
What if I need more information?
- Email stem-office@wmich.edu.
- Call the STEM Program Office at (269) 387-4799.
- Visit the STEM Program Office in the Division of Multicultural Affairs at 2281 Ellsworth Hall.
- Find us on Facebook!
What else does the program offer?
- Individualized success plan
- Development of study skills and time management techniques
- Mentoring services
- Educational workshops and seminars
- Academic advising referral services
- Counseling services
- Leadership development opportunities
- Participation in multicultural activities
- Career planning
- Graduate school information
- Reward program
- Many other resources
What other resources are available?
Please refer to this page.