Western Connecticut State University Housing and Residence Life is a featured program.
Through 2 unique student staffing positions, we are able to provide academic support to students in need.
ARMs (academic resource mentors) are student staff who have at least a 3.2.GPA. Through a robust selection process, 8 students are chosen to serve as ARMs. Their key role is to serve as academic coaches to students who struggle academically. They reach out to students whose GPAs slip to 2.0 or lower, or who aren’t making at least 12 credits per semester, with the intent of guiding them to campus resources that may be able to assist them (professors, skills labs, advisors, tutors, etc.)
ARMs coordinate a resident student volunteer tutoring program called PASS (peer academic support services). Students with at least a 3.0 GPA offer to tutor students in subjects at which they excel – at no charge and for no pay. ARMs recruit PASS members, and help to publicize and refer students to the volunteers for assistance. We have about 120 students who volunteer as PASS members each year.
Submitted by Maribeth Griffin, Director of Residential Programs & Staff, Western Connecticut State University