Math Drop-In Center
About
MCLA’s Math Drop-In Center assists visitors with questions related to mathematics across all courses and departments on campus. Tutors can help with math in your coursework as well as preparation for exams such as the MTEL, GRE and TEAS. Some tutors are also available to assist with science and computer science courses.
Fall ’26 Hours
The first day for Fall ’26 semester is Tuesday, Sept. 8. The Drop-In Center observes all college closures.
- Mondays, 12–3 p.m.
- Tuesdays, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. and 6–8 p.m.
- Wednesdays and Thursdays, 12–3 p.m. and 6–8 p.m.
- Fridays, 12–2 p.m.
Location & SIGN-IN
During Open Hours:
For in-person help, visit Room 101 of the Feigenbaum Center for Science & Innovation ("CSI" or "the science building").
For online help, please fill out our sign-in form and check your email for instructions on how to proceed to our Teams channel. Every time you visit—whether in person or online—please be sure to complete the sign-in form.
Make sure to bring your class notes, textbook, and all other class materials to your visit!
How can I get the most out of my visit?
Fill in a Sign-In Sheet. You will be asked: (1) what course you're here for, and (2) who your professor is. We ask that you fill in a new sign-in sheet every time you visit; this is so we can better help you when you're here, and it's also so that we can continue to apply for grant funding to remain open. We also use our records of day/times of arrivals in making staffing and operational decisions.
Have your syllabus, textbook, class notes, homework and computer/calculator available if appropriate.
Come and use the space as a place to do homework. Work on your homework on your own, and then ask one of the peer tutors a question when you get stuck.
Have specific questions. It's not very helpful to tell the tutor you're confused about everything. It's much more helpful to have picked out particular homework problems you are stuck on or particular topics or examples you want explained.
Seek out other students in the Center or Channel who are in the same course as you. A lot can be accomplished by breaking out into small group chats/calls, and it makes good use of the time you're waiting for the tutor.
Leave anonymous feedback after your tutoring session by following the form link that will be sent to you via e-mail, and that is available on the "General" Teams sub-Channel if you're an online visitor. Your tutors won't read your feedback directly: it goes to the faculty coordinator, who summarizes and paraphrases it at tutors' meetings.
They are not allowed to do so.
Faculty Resources
Syllabus Copy & Paste
The Math Help Drop-In Center is open in-person as well as virtually on Microsoft Teams, and hours and other information are always up-to-date at mcla.edu/mathcenter. To get in-person help from us on "any math in any class", please visit the Feigenbaum Center for Science & Innovation, Room 101 during our open hours. To get online help when we're open, follow the sign-in link at our website, then fill in the sign-in sheet and follow the instructions that arrive in your e-mail inbox. Our tutors are friendly, supportive, and ready to help!
Have a Tutor visit your Class
Having a tutor visit your class is a quick, easy way to let your students know about the services we offer, where they can see a friendly face that might encourage them to visit.
Use Pre-Tests in your Class
Ungraded pre-tests can often help students decide early whether they will need help with the mathematics that an upcoming course topic entails, and such evaluations can often be given in five minutes, or as take-home assignments.
To organize a visit with a Math Drop-In tutor in your course and for templates on particular topics, please email Liz Hartung at e.hartung@mcla.edu.
We're Here to Help!