FAQs & How-to's

What do you do here?

Generally speaking, we help students master course content and develop effective study techniques. Our main office is open M - Th, 8a - 5p.

We have four kinds of appointments – one-on-one tutoring, peer academic coaching, public speaking center consultation, and with a learning specialist.  Do you know who you are meeting with?

LS:  Please sign in. Use MyUGS to confirm appointment and send their LS a message through Teams.

PSC: Take a seat in the Main Office, your consultant will be here soon. Student Associate will message the correct employee.

Tutor/Coach: You can meet them in the waiting area at the top of the stairs.

No, however Student Testing Services does. Their testing center is in the Business School, the number is (512) 232-2662.

Website: https://testingservices.utexas.edu/credit

Most of our application deadlines are in March (for fall employment) or October (for spring employment), and our open positions are typically posted on https://hr.utexas.edu/student/finding-student-job and on our website, https://ugs.utexas.edu/slc/hiring

All applications must be submitted through the appropriate site but I am happy to give you the Program Coordinator's email address (Carissa for Tutoring, Kate Molina-Gallo for SI, Darcy for PAC, Elliot for PLUS, Kate Schoonhoven for Student Associates, Erin/Sean for Outreach and Public Speaking Center)

I’m sorry, but The Sanger Learning Center is not a private business; as part of the University of Texas at Austin, we are not allowed to respond to offers of any kind from outside vendors.

No problem! All you'll need to do is get your name in the Sanger system by using any of our resources. Anything from going to Drop-In Tutoring, attending a one-on-one tutoring session, making a Learning Specialist appointment, or attending any of our free classes or workshops.

Would you like any additional information on any of these services?

We would be happy to help your student. Here at Sanger Learning Center, we have free tutoring (50 free sessions to start - more available if needed, free drop-in for chem/math/physics), public speaking services, free learning workshops and classes, and professional Learning Specialist staff. (You can expand more!). If you would have your student stop by or call us, we can help schedule an appointment for them.

OR

Thank you for checking in with us. Unfortunately, due to UT policy and the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 or FERPA, we are not able to provide any information regarding a student's academic record or involvement with the Center. We encourage you to reach out to your student for the information. I can share the services that we can offer to your student...(see above).

If the parent has more questions about FERPA, click here for more information to share with them - https://registrar.utexas.edu/students/records/ferpa

Drop-in is always free for Math, Chemistry, and Physics. Drop-in tutoring hours: M-Th: 12a-5p in person and 5-8p online, and Sun: 5p-10p online.

Course List - https://ugs.utexas.edu/slc/support/drop-in

I heard you have free tutoring; is that true?

Yes, all tutoring is now free!

(Background info: students are now given 50 free credits each semester, if they go over the 50 they will need to meet with Carissa Ábrego and she can give them additional free credits. Carissa will be monitoring credit usage closely. Missed appointments, or appointments not cancelled 24 hours in advance, will still require the students to pay for that missed session. Our policy is that free tutoring credits are only used for sessions that actually take place. If you would like to see the full policy, you can find it in the tutoring agreement which appears in MyUGS when you book an appointment.)

Go to the following link to view the course list: https://ugs.utexas.edu/slc/support/one-on-one

If they do not know their course code, give them the above website address to look at the class list.

How do I book a tutoring appointment?

Through the MyUGS booking system on our website. Tutoring is free HOWEVER, students will be required to pay for sessions that are not cancelled within the required 24 hour window.

You’ll see all the available appointments for the next six days. You just choose what works for your schedule and meet your tutor in the waiting area across from Jester 312.  If you are looking for alternative appointment days/times, feel free to send a message through the "Contact Tutoring Staff" tab - that is monitored by all the Tutoring Program Coordinators.

Please be aware that we have a 24-hour in-advance booking and cancellation policy for tutoring appointments. This will be explained in the online tutoring agreement.

How do I cancel a tutoring appointment?

Through the MyUGS booking system on our website.  Do not forget to cancel at least 24-hours-in-advance in order to avoid being charged. 

If it’s already less than 24 hours from the appointment, the online system won’t let you cancel, but you could send the tutor a courtesy message from the Student section of the MyUGS booking system.  Just choose Student Dashboard and click on “My Tutors.”

The system won’t let me book a tutoring appointment OR I have a bar on my account for a missed tutoring session.

That normally means you missed an appointment that you had booked; the system is waiting for a $14 Bevo Pay payment before it will allow you to book another appointment. 

In this situation, the tutor is still paid for their time, and we ask the student to cover the cost of the missed session. Our policy is that free tutoring credits are only used for sessions that actually take place. If you would like to see the full policy, you can find it in the tutoring agreement which appears in MyUGS when you book an appointment. If they would like to explain the circumstance/reason they missed their appointment, they are welcome to email Carissa Ábrego - carissa.abrego@austin.utexas.edu 

Tutors will wait for at least 15 minutes before marking your appointment as a No Show. Be sure to try to be on time or communicate with your tutor if you are running late. If you are late, you will still be charged for the full tutoring appointment.

*Remind the student that cancellations must be made more than 24 hours in advance.

Can I get more free tutoring credits OR

How do I pay for tutoring sessions?

Once you have used your free tutoring credits, you can meet with Carissa Ábrego - carissa.abrego@austin.utexas.edu  to discuss getting more credits. 

Missed sessions must still be paid by the student via Bevo Pay.

If they have further questions say:

You can always share your concerns directly with the tutoring team.  You can either use the ‘Contact Tutoring Staff’ option in your MyUGS Dashboard where you booked appointments or I can give you that group address – ts_sut@utlists.utexas.edu.

There are no tutoring appointments showing for my class.

Our tutoring appointments are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, so that probably means that all available appointments have been booked.  The tutors post on a continuous basis, though, so I’d encourage you to check back to see what’s been added.

You can also contact the tutoring supervisors about your concern, by using the “Contact Tutoring Staff” feature on your MyUGS dashboard or I can give you that group address – ts_sut@utlists.utexas.edu

I booked an appointment but my tutor isn’t here.

I’m sorry about that.  Have you by any chance already waited 15 minutes? We ask that each party wait 15 minutes in case of confusion.

There is also a message board next to JES 312A that you could check to see if the tutor left you a message.

If your tutor doesn’t arrive for any reason, please go online to where you booked the appointment and mark the appointment as a ‘tutor no show.’  The system will automatically restore a tutoring credit to your account…

…And please write a courtesy message for the tutor on the green message board paper next to JES 312 before leaving to indicate that you were here.

My tutor didn’t show up, and I have a test in math/chem /physics tomorrow.  Can someone help me today?

I’m sorry, the booking system will only let you book with a private tutor with 24 hours’ advance notice, but you might be able to get help from our Drop-in center during the hours it’s open. Drop-in tutoring hours: M-Th: 12a-5p in person and 5-8p online, and Sun: 5p-10p online.

I’m sorry, no.  Our online system doesn’t allow booking less than 24 hours in advance.  The soonest you might be able to rebook it for would be for tomorrow. 

Do you know how to mark the appointment as a ‘tutor no show’ so the system can issue you a tutoring credit?

Do you have help for organic chemistry, statistics?

Yes, through appointment tutoring. You can make an appointment through MyUGS.

[You might occasionally get lucky in Drop in and find a tutor there who knows it, but it’s not guaranteed]

You can sign up through our website in the MyUGS booking system. We offer reviews for M305G, Algebra, Trigonometry, M408 K / L / C / D / N / S. https://utdirect.utexas.edu/apps/ugs/my/events/

MyUGS will tell you the times and the location.  If you should need to cancel your registration for any reason, please do that online, as well, to open up the spot for another student.

Do you have help for calculus?

Yes, we have private tutoring, drop-in group tutoring, refresher classes, and exam reviews. You can make an appointment for one-on-one tutoring through MyUGS.

Refresher Classes & Exam Review Schedule  - https://utdirect.utexas.edu/apps/ugs/my/events/

Undergrads and Graduates can go to the University Writing Center in the PCL (http://uwc.utexas.edu/)

If graduate students need general help with the grad student/dissertation process, such as motivational issues, time management, etc., (i.e. the same issues as undergraduate students come to see us about) then they can book with a learning specialist under Dissertation/Thesis Planning.

If they are looking for specific feedback on their writing or dissertation, please direct them to the University Writing Center.

Do you edit papers?

No, there are no editing services on campus where someone will correct errors for you.  You’d have to find a private service off-campus or maybe post a flyer on campus.

What is offered on campus is writing tutoring which is input on the organization and understandability of your writing plus feedback on any patterns of grammar errors you may be making.

[Undergrads and Grad students can go to the University Writing Center.]

Is Sanger Learning Center the only tutoring service on campus?

No, some of the language departments offer tutoring and the College of Natural Sciences runs Residential Hall Study Groups in Jester and Kinsolving in the evenings for students in certain natural science classes.  (To see the specific NS classes, put “RHSG” in the search bar of the UT homepage.) There are also departments like math that keep a list of graduate students willing to tutor for a fee. The math department also offers a CalcLab, more info here: https://www.ma.utexas.edu/academics/undergraduate/calculus-lab/. We aren't directly affiliated to these programs.

Background: There are also some programs on campus that offer tutoring just for students enrolled in the program like Nursing, Pharmacy, Geoscience, Engineering, and Athletics.

You’re always welcome to submit materials outside of normal hiring time frames in case of late hiring needs, but you may only be contacted if a position becomes available. 

Most of our application deadlines are in March (for fall employment) or October (for spring employment), and our open positions are posted on https://ugs.utexas.edu/slc/hiring. 

"Applications will open in March (dates TBD). You are always welcome to check hireutexas (UT's job listings for students), where we post our available positions for Sanger."

"You’re also welcome to contact the supervisor directly for any position that interests you - Carissa Ábrego - carissa.abrego@austin.utexas.edu 

Tutoring Application- https://utdirect.utexas.edu/apps/ugs/my/tutoring/jobs/

Are you by any chance in the PACE Program?

(Background info:  PACE students take one class at UT and the others at ACC prior to transferring to UT full-time) 

If yes –  I’d suggest you talk to the head of tutoring, Carissa Ábrego - carissa.abrego@austin.utexas.edu  about that. Let me see if she's available (if not, give them her card)

or

If no -- I’m sorry but our booking system will only let you book an appointment if you’re enrolled in the course at UT.  Have you checked on tutoring options at ACC?  They have quite a few.

I need tutoring but I don’t see the class I’m in on your list.

We only hire tutors for certain courses, but you could check with our tutoring supervisors to see if any tutors on staff are familiar with the material you’re having trouble with. There’s no guarantee, but if you send the course number and the content you need help with, they can ask.  You will likely only hear back if a tutor is found.

You can do this by either using the ‘Contact Tutoring Staff’ option in your MyUGS Dashboard where you booked appointments or I can give you that group address – ts_sut@utlists.utexas.edu

Other options would be to check with the department the course is in to see if they keep a list of people willing to tutor or maybe post flyers on campus. 

Tutors have the option to post availability during Dead Days and Finals week but they are not required to, so yes, there is tutoring during Dead Days and Finals but it may be limited. The last day tutors will be posting availability for Fall 2022 is December 15th.

We have also started hosting Extended Hours in our Drop-in Tutoring Center for Calculus and Chemistry. Generally, the Extended Hours are M-F from 11am-5pm. https://ugs.utexas.edu/slc/support/drop-in

Students can get the bar removed in a couple of different ways. They will have definitely received emails from the TSI office with further instructions. If they are looking to turn in documents or speak to someone in person, direct them to Angeles De Santos (Angeles.DeSantosQuezada@austin.utexas.edu) , and cc Texas Success Initiative email (tsi@austin.utexas.edu)

There is a lot of information on their website as well about exemptions. The website for the TSI program is: https://ugs.utexas.edu/tsi

What is a learning specialist appointment / why would I meet with a learning specialist?

Learning specialists are professional staff members who take 45-minute appointments to help students figure out how to meet their goals in school.  Students often ask about how to keep up in class, prepare for tests, stay focused, or manage their time.

Any student can ask to have a peer coach meet with you once a week for an hour to work on how to study effectively for UT courses. They can help you prepare for what’s coming up in your classes, and will also give you an overview of effective study techniques. 

To sign up, you would submit a request through our website. https://ugs.utexas.edu/slc/support/pac

Students are accepted on a rolling basis until all spots are filled. Space is limited. Darcy Barrick is the PAC Coordinator. Would you like her card?

I didn’t have to study in high school and I don’t really know how.  Is that something you can help with?

We hear that a lot, and I’d suggest you book a free appointment with a Learning Specialist.

You could also attend one of our study workshops or request a PAC coach to meet with you weekly if you prefer, but a learning specialist can tell you more about those options as well.

Can you help with time management?

Yes, we have a time management workshop that’s offered regularly (Time and Procrastination) that you can RSVP for and it's free! Just go to the homepage of you MyUGS and click on the blue box that reads "View all classes and workshops" and listed workshops will be shown with descriptions about them. You can also schedule an appointment with a Learning Specialist by visiting our website, calling our main office, or by walking in (We do not do same-day appointments).  We also have handouts in our main office you could come pick up.

We only offer appointments for studying skills for students with disabilities with a Learning Specialist. Our study strategy appointments help students improve their study effectiveness, and can also help you decide whether or not to pursue full testing. You would need to reach out to Disability and Access (https://diversity.utexas.edu/disability/) for the next step with testing and accommodations. Testing must be scheduled in advance and there is a fee associated.

The Disability and Access office also has lists of places that do testing in the Austin area, Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas.  That number is 512-471-6259; the office is on the 4^th floor in Student Services Building (SSB 4.206).

My advisor said I am required to make an appointment with a Learning Specialist.

(Usually code for being on academic probation)

To make an appointment with a learning specialist?

If they say they have to see someone by the 12^th class day…

[The requirement is typically that you book an appointment by the 12^th class day even if the appointment won’t take place until later than that.] – The Online appointments system will automatically send a confirmation email that can be shown to their advisor.

No, we do not proctor exams but I can direct you to the UT Testing Center, https://testingservices.utexas.edu/dev. Their number is 512-471-0222.

You can request a presentation through the MyUGS booking system on our website. Google "Sanger Learning Center". On our homepage, look for "Make an Appointment" on the left side, and select "Request a presentation or workshop". From there, log in with your UT EID and enter the presentation details. https://utdirect.utexas.edu/apps/ugs/my/outreach/

Presentation topics include: "Reading for College", "Study Smarter, Not Harder", Sanger Learning Center tours and service overview, Time & Procrastination, Strategizing to Succeed on Finals, Public Speaking, and certain customized topics. To read more about the topics, click here. Inquire with Sean Tucker seantucker@austin.utexas.edu.

Requests need to be submitted a full two weeks in advance, they can sometimes accommodate requests on short notice (with one full week) but any less than that does not give the team enough time to prepare and schedule.

Is your request more than a week away?

If yes – Your request may not have been picked up by an Outreach & Communication Specialist yet, they will email you to confirm. You are welcome to reach out to the Coordinator, Sean Tucker seantucker@austin.utexas.edu to confirm that your request has been received.

If no – I do not have access to the Outreach requests, but I would be happy to give you the Coordinator's information (Sean Tucker seantucker@austin.utexas.edu). If you wouldn't mind giving me the request topic, date/time, and requester's name, I can also follow up about the request.

*If Sean is on Teams you can also send him a message to see if he is available to speak with the student or faculty at the moment. If he does not respond, send him an email with the information from the phone conversation.

I can connect you with our Outreach Coordinator, Sean Tucker seantucker@austin.utexas.edu to coordinate the change.

Chat or call Sean to see if he can chat with the student at that moment. If he is not available, take down the request topic, requester's name, date/time of original request and the change, and then give the person his email address. Once you get off of the phone, please send an email to Sean with those details and the change information - Sean Tucker seantucker@austin.utexas.edu.

Ask them for their name and their presenter's name, and then ask them to please wait while you try to contact the program coordinator. You can chat or call Sean.

If he does not respond, ask the person to wait in the office while you go to look for their presenter and check in with Kate S. You can also look near the Public Speaking Center or at the top of the main stairs for the presenter.

No, we no longer provide TA training. Talk to your professor for more resources.

Elliot Lopez-Finn coordinates our PLUS program. Would you like their card? (or read their information over the phone).