Frequently Asked Questions

Download this Student Services Schedule for an overview of BCLT services for the remainder of Spring'20 semester.

Check this Orient article by Rohini Kurup for updates.

We are located in Kanbar Hall, Room 102.

Kanbar is the building on the corner of Bath Road and Federal Street. Sills Hall is on one side of us, and Cleaveland/Druckenmiller is on the other side. You can also see Hatch Library from our windows.

Daytime Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 AM-5:00 PM

Evening Hours (student staff): Sunday-Thursday 5:00-10:00 PM

Find the most up-to-date peer tutoring hours by checking the online appointment calendar.

On certain holidays and breaks we may be closed or have limited hours. You can check our home page for announcements.

First, we hear you! Bowdoin coursework can be super challenging. All our programs are designed to help you be the best student you can be, so take advantage of the ones that resonate with you—see "What Services Do You Offer Students?" on this FAQ page.

If you're not sure what you need, you can fill out our Academic Services Request form, online or in person (Kanbar 102), and get things rolling.

Sometimes, though, a good old one-on-one, in-person conversation can set you up with the help you need when you need it, so don't hesitate to reach out to Tammis Donovan, Baldwin CLT administrative coordinator; Katie Byrnes, director of the Baldwin Mentoring Program; or Eric Gaze, chair of the Baldwin CLT and director of the Quantitative Reasoning program.

We offer:

• Help with writing (Writing Workshop, Writing Assistants, Writing Partners)
• Help with understanding concepts and problems in courses with a quantitative element (read: STEM courses) (Quantitative Reasoning Tutors (aka "Q-Tutors")
• Help with papers and presentations if English is not your first language (English for Multilingual Students Advisor)
• Help in getting organized, time management, study skills (Baldwin Program for Academic Development)
• A place to meet with tutors
• A place to study
• Scientific calculators to borrow, for an exam or a semester
• A library (the Stein Library) with books on teaching and learning

Make an appointment for a conference with a writing assistant in the Baldwin Center for Learning and Teaching, Kanbar 102.

Or, just take your chances and walk in during writing assistant hours: Sunday–Thursday 6:00-10:00 p.m., Fridays 11 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

If you grew up speaking English as a second language, you can make an appointment with Lisa Flanagan, or walk in Tuesdays–Fridays, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

If all of the available options in the Writing Workshop or Q-Tutor hours in the Baldwin CLT are taken, we recommend:

1. In the Writing Workshop, you can get on the waiting list: in the online appointment calendar, click on the "waiting list" link in the lower right corner of the date you want. Sign up to be notified if there is an opening. If someone cancels, the system sends out emails to everyone on the waiting list. You need to sign in and grab that open spot before someone else does, so don't wait if you get that email!
2. If you find yourself on the Writing Workshop waiting list and are anxious for help, Lisa Flanagan is available to see students online. Please contact her directly at lflanag2@bowdoin.edu. She can schedule you from 8:30-5:00 PM weekdays.
3. "Drop in" to the online calendar. There may be an open spot, just when you need it! (During non-COVID times: Bring your work to the Baldwin CLT in Kanbar 102 during the Writing Workshop/Q-Tutor session you want. Let the receptionist know you're there so they can call you if there is a "no show". This is a good option because there are a fair amount of last minute cancellations and no-shows. Or a writing assistant or tutor might finish up with time to spare and can fit you in.

• The "Q-Tutors" help with the following courses:
  
  • BIOL 1101/1109
  • CHEM 1101/1109/2250
  • ECON 1101/1102/2555/2556
  • MATH 1600/1700/1750/1800/2000
  • Biostats
  • Econ Stats
  • Psych Stats
• Writing Assistants help with writing in any course. If it's a foreign language class, contact the Writing Project Director to see if there is a specific Writing Assistant who can help with papers in that particular language.