Established in 1985, the math facility fosters a learning environment for students looking to complete class assignments and advance their mathematics skills. The MLSC was built as part of the Success in Undergraduate Mathematics initiative, an OSU program dedicated to the enhancement of student learning and success in undergraduate mathematics. All undergraduate students looking to complete a degree are required to earn a math credit, meaning that student success in mathematics is not only encouraged but also necessary at OSU. The need for mathematics spans far beyond majors pertaining to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Other majors, including strategic communications and graphic design, require mathematics as part of the degree plan.
The MLSC has been housed in the Library since the center's relocation in 2013. The MLSC's new home is an 8,000 square-foot area on the fifth floor of Edmon Low. The center is composed of small study rooms, one large study room and a massive computer room that is stocked with 126 laptops. The MLSC has 15 laptops separate from the lab that students may check out to use in other areas of the facility as well. Lastly, the MLSC has calculators and mathematics textbooks for students to borrow while they work.
Prior to the move, the MLSC was located in Classroom Building. The small area where the center was housed was no match for the demand from students needing mathematics tutoring. There was often a 45 minutes wait just for students to enter the MLSC. Luckily, the insufficient resources and lack of space were both addressed when the tutoring center moved to a spacious portion of the Library's fifth floor.
The Library was eager to open its doors to the MLSC, knowing that the center would motivate students to enter Edmon Low and travel through the building. Many freshman take classes that require tutoring hours at the MLSC, which means that new OSU students must enter into the Library in order to complete their course assignments. The MLSC's location inside Edmon Low is mutually beneficial for both the mathematics department and the Library. The MLSC prompts students to enter the Library and witness all that the building has to offer while the Library provides the MLSC with enough space to handle the large influx of students who need mathematics tutoring.
The MLSC has a diverse tutoring system for a wide range of class levels. Services are offered for classes such as College Algebra, Calculus III and Differential Equations. There is also a designated schedule when instructors will come tutor at the MLSC in specific courses. The instructor tutoring schedule is on the MLSC website so students can look up their desired course, find the specific professor and attend the tutoring session at the designated date and time. MLSC tutoring is a way for students to get help in a personalized and focused setting.
Public review sessions are also held on a weekly basis at the MLSC. There are about 10 to 15 sessions available each week, with more sessions during test weeks. Exam reviews are livestreamed to the MLSC Youtube channel for students unable to attend the sessions in person.
From the laptops and calculators to the extensive tutoring and review schedule, the MLSC equips students with the resources to succeed. The influence of the MLSC spans farther than meets the eye, past the initial success of completing a challenging homework assignment or acing an intimidating exam. It's a way for students to interact with their peers and fellow classmates, as well as with professors and faculty.
There are also over 30 student employee opportunities at the MLSC, including desk jobs and tutoring positions. On-campus jobs are an excellent way for students to learn how to balance multiple responsibilities, function in a professional environment and sharpen communication skills. The partnership with the MLSC is a testament to the Library's dedication to student success and academic excellence, both in the classroom and in the workplace.
Posted by Tatum Wallace, Electronic Communications Intern for OSU Library Communications
