ERC Tutoring Policies

Please note: By requesting a tutor, you have agreed to the guidelines below. Please review this website frequently for updates.

  • If possible, a tutor will be assigned to you immediately. It is up to you to contact the tutor and set up a mutually convenient time for tutoring at the Educational Resource Center. Please note that, if you do not meet with your tutor within three weeks of your tutor assignment, you will no longer be assigned to this tutor.
  • When a specific course has multiple requests, your tutor may schedule group tutoring sessions. Groups are limited to one two-hour session per course per week during the fall and spring semesters.
  • Individuals are limited to one one-hour session per course per week during the fall and spring semesters.
  • After you contact your tutor, it is your responsibility to maintain that contact as necessary throughout the semester. You are required to notify your tutor if you are unable to keep an appointment. If you are unable to get in touch directly with your tutor to cancel, please notify the ERC.
  • This service is free to all Boston University students with a valid BU ID. We are committed to meeting all requests for tutoring; unfortunately, this is not always possible. If we are unable to find a tutor, we will try to provide you with other suggestions.

Tutoring Policy During Finals:

  • ERC tutors are not required to tutor during the reading period and finals. Some tutors may choose to tutor during finals. Tutees should schedule sessions well in advance of finals, and discuss your tutor’s plans for working during finals.
  • New tutors will not be assigned during the reading period and finals. The last day that we will assign tutors is generally three weeks prior to the reading period.
  • There are many other options to get help in your studies. Visit professors and teaching fellows in their office hours. If you cannot make it to office hours, most professors are also available by appointment. Some departments offer tutoring of their own. Check in with the department’s office and see what is available!

Scheduling Appointments with Tutors:

  • Once you contact your tutor, they have 48 hours to get back to you. Generally, we expect that they will be able to set up a meeting with you within two to three days after the initial contact. They are students also, and are likely very busy during the same times you are (midterms and finals). If you do not hear from your tutor within 48 hours, please contact the ERC. We will do our best to assign you another tutor if one is available.
  • If there is a one-time scheduling conflict, we generally cannot assign you a new tutor. If you are assigned a tutor and it turns out your schedules are extremely incompatible, please notify the ERC. However, we may not be able to quickly assign you someone new, especially for the very high demand courses. We will make every effort to quickly reassign you if there is an ongoing scheduling conflict.
  • The most common problem we see between tutors and tutees is communication. Please be sure that you and your tutor CONFIRM all appointments. Keep in mind that not everyone checks email with the same frequency. An email from a tutor saying “I can meet you at 3 p.m. if you are available” is generally not enough for a tutor to know that you plan to come for an appointment at 3 p.m. Your tutor is also responsible for confirming sessions and not leaving voicemails or emails open-ended.
  • Any cancellations, on the part of both parties, should be made at least 24 hours in advance.
  • Try to schedule all sessions several days in advance and confirm at least 24 hours in advance.