Learning Resource Center rises from ashes of lab school

By Kirsten Coachman
The Collegian

When the Learning Resource Center was damaged in the Lab School fire in 2003, it relocated to its current location in front of the Peters Building.

Now the LRC has expanded over to the building next door.

What many students don’t know is more than tutoring is offered at the LRC.

“It’s a place where students can come, and study a little bit, or just have some peace and quiet, or relax in the computer lab. We also have wireless services that students use,” LRC student assistant Joshua Anderson said.

Anderson, 20, junior at Fresno State became a part of the center two years ago, working the front desk.

Melissa Nunes, 21, a Fresno State senior was recommended to be a tutor at the LRC by one of her instructors for business writing and business law.

“[I] started doing stuff structured around instruction, which is basically helping out in the classroom with that particular teacher,” Nunes, a student intern said.

At the end of the 2005 spring semester, there were 4,500 students who had taken advantage of the LRC’s amenities and services.

“Every semester we have more and more students come and utilize our center,” Nunes said.

Students can come and go at their leisure. It is as simple as students being able to slide their keycard to log in and out of the LRC. There is no need to make an appointment.

There are 10 computers available for students to use and a lounge area where they can come and kick back in between classes.

Anderson said it is a place where students can relax and study. He said he has seen students studying in their cars, but the LRC is a place where students can get out of the rain or away from the heat.

“We have two rooms for students who can come and relax, because sometimes the student union is too crowded, the pub is packed,” Anderson said.

Another benefit the LRC can provide is being able to interact with other students.

“It’s a great place to network, especially within your own subject,” Anderson said.

Something new the LRC is trying is the use of themes to motivate students.

“In February, we’re having kind of a ‘Fall In Love With Your Books’ idea that Joshua came up with,” Nunes said. “We’re going to try stuff that’s kind of out of the norm for us.”

A misconception about the LRC, is that students go to the LRC only to be tutored. The LRC is another option available on campus to have a quiet place to study and do homework. “You don’t have to come here with the you intention of being tutored,” Nunes said. “You can come here just to study.

“Sometimes, when you run into problems is when you’re at home, and you’re by yourself, and you’re trying to work on a problem, you can’t get the answer. So if you come here to do it, even if you don’t have the intention of being helped, it might actually turn out to benefit you,” she said.

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