Clayton State University Center for Academic Success

Tutor Contract

Tutoring is a responsibility, and although there is no Hippocratic oath such as doctors take when they enter the medical profession, certain guidelines help tutors do their jobs effectively. These are based on the experiences of peer tutors in various colleges and on the ethical standards developed in related professions, such as teaching and counseling. Tutoring requires that you maintain a delicate balance between teacher and student--which requires grace, dignity, and intelligence.

I,____________________, do agree to the following terms and conditions related to serving as a peer tutor at Clayton College and State University.

  1. I will provide academic assistance to those students assigned to me.
  2. Subject proficiency and knowledge have top priority in my task as tutor. Consequently, I will continue to improve my own subject proficiency, study skills, communications skills, and instructional skills.
  3. My major goal is to build my student's self-confidence by helping him/her develop effective study habits.
  4. During each tutoring session my student will receive my total attention.
  5. I will be prepared for each tutoring session.
  6. Respect for my student's personal dignity means I accept that individual without judgment.
  7. I will not use tutoring time to impose my personal values, beliefs, or lifestyle upon others.
  8. I will strive for honesty and openness as I tutor.
  9. I will admit my own weaknesses and seek assistance whenever I need it.
  10. I will encourage students without giving false hope.
  11. My student and I both understand that my role as a tutor does not include doing his/her homework or proofreading papers.
  12. I will never comment negatively to students on teachers' grading policies, their teaching methods, or their personalities.
  13. I count on my student to also be my tutor, teaching me ways to do a better job.
  14. I will always do my best to be punctual and keep appointments, not only out of courtesy but also as an example for my student to follow. I will contact the student and Tutoring Coordinator by phone and by e-mail as far in advance as possible if I must reschedule an appointment.
  15. My ultimate goal in tutoring is to foster independent and autonomous learning by the student.
  16. I will report on the student's progress as requested by the Tutoring Coordinator.
  17. I will maintain records as expected and required.
  18. I will always behave professionally while I am in the tutoring role and will not become personally or romantically involved with my student while I am his/her tutor.
  19. If my student shares information requiring intervention beyond my role as a tutor, I will communicate that information to the Peer Tutoring Coordinator
  20. I will conduct all tutoring sessions associated with Clayton State University 2500 in the Center for Teaching & Learning.

Signed,

________________________________________________________

Adapted from the National Association of Tutorial Services (Bataglia, Mary Clare, Lakewood Student Support Services Master Tutorial Manual, 1993) as cited in Rude, Rose, Tutor Training Manual, University of Wisconsin at River Falls, 2000.