Marlene Orton
First-year mathematics is probably one of the toughest programs for students trying to make the transition from high school. This year, the University of Ottawa has more than doubled its service for first-year mathematics students with longer hours, a larger second classroom and more staff.
The Math Help Centre now is set up in two different buildings and staffed by 15 consultants, who are flooded some days by hundreds of visitors. A drop-in centre established some 10 years ago by the Math Department, the centre was created to serve first-year level students on a first-come, first-served basis.
“It’s one-on-one help but we sometimes work in groups. The centre is designed basically to help people who have difficulties in math in their transition from high school to university,” says Joseph Khoury, director of the centre. The second branch at Marion Hall was set up to help with the anticipated overflow due to the extra high-school students arriving in the so-called double cohort.
An average of 65 to 70 students arrive for help each day, up from roughly 47 to 50 last year, says Khoury. One recent day saw 250 students walk through the door owing mainly to a mid-term exam. “It is always consistent and there are always people coming,” Khoury adds. Staff is made up largely of graduate level volunteers and more people are on hand as helpers during mid-terms.
