The academic challenges of college are pretty constant as the quarters progress, but starting next term, a helping hand may not be as readily available to the many students looking for one.
The Academic Advancement Program – designed to assist over 5,000 UCLA students in achieving collegiate success – will be cutting back on tutoring, peer counseling and computer services.
Under Gov. Grey Davis’ budget cut, the University of California lost 74 million dollars. UC Berkeley and UCLA lost the most, with UCLA bearing a little more than 10 percent of the loss. The instructional budget was not cut in order to maintain a high level of teaching.
Thus, peripheral programs feel the pain.
AAP lost $92,000 at a time when the demand for tutoring and peer counseling services is up, said Director Adolfo Bermeo.
Peer counseling and tutoring – the biggest component of AAP – will be cut by 25 percent. Computer lab hours will also be reduced by 25 percent. Labs will be closed on weekends and during later weekday hours.
A $190,000 surplus from previous years partially cushioned the reductions, but the surplus is now gone.
A hold has also been placed on all maintenance purchases, including that of new equipment and supplies.
“We’re struggling to not end up in deficit,” Bermeo said.
Bermeo expects more budget cuts for next year’s class, but won’t be able to assess the situation until June at the earliest.
AAP experienced budget cuts of 22 percent between 1991 and 1995. Unnecessary full-time positions were eliminated and the cuts did not greatly affect the services’ quality.
But Bermeo suspects dealing with cuts will be harder to do this time around – there’s not much left to cut without seriously affecting the program.
Students are concerned about the tutoring cuts because many feel AAP tutoring has been the reason for their success at college.
“I like the tutors at AAP because I can ask them questions and they’ll explain it until I understand it. When I ask professors a question, I feel intimidated if I don’t understand the first time,” said first-year student Lisa Tran.
“I use their notes to study for midterms and finals because they simplify the material,” said second-year biology student Rashel Rabizadeh.
Tutors are usually upper division AAP students who are trained to lead students to academic improvement. Often, these tutors become friends with those they tutor.
Tutors are paid for the amount of time they work, with a cap on how many hours they can tutor.
Tutors used to get paid to attend the class they tutored once a week, but now don’t get paid to go to classes, said second-year mechanical engineering student and 31B math tutor, Rebecca Armenta.
“It’s unfortunate because in order to be a really good tutor it’s important to go to class. Classes change with quarters and with different teachers,” said Armenta, who attends the 31B class she tutors three times a week even though she doesn’t get paid for doing so.
Other tutors agree the money isn’t the reason they tutor.
“I’m satisfied every time they leave and thank me and say that they have a clearer understanding than they did with the professors. They learn from each other and even teach me. It’s a great program,” said second-year biology student and math 3C tutor, Mayra Rascon.
Rascon said it’s necessary to cut some classes if not enough people sign up for tutoring for that class.
The Office of Undergraduate Admissions and Relations with Schools usually identifies students as being AAP-qualified.
Students may also apply to the program by filling out an application which can be picked up in Campbell Hall.
This year’s AAP class is the largest group, comprising 5,600 students.
80 percent of students in the program are on need-based financial aid or are from a low-income or working class families.
Bermeo sees himself as an advocate for these students.
“UCLA has a responsibility to offer academic and social support to every student admitted here and priority should be given to students who will most benefit,” Bermeo said.
On the Web, www.college.ucla.edu/up/aap.