Editor’s note: This article is part of the Arizona Summer Wildcat’s 2014 Campus Guide. The Campus Guide is a special issue that runs every year to help introduce incoming students to the UA and campus life.

The transition to college-level academics, especially from high school, can be difficult for some, and the UA offers resources beyond the classroom that students can utilize to help them achieve academic success.

It’s becoming easier for students to be engaged with UA resources as they are available in the library, in residence halls and from their laptops, as resources are increasingly made available online.

“The great thing about the UA is that we have all these opportunities for students to be successful and get connected,” said Jeff Orgera, senior assistant vice president for student affairs and enrollment management. “They can be very individualized and tailored to the diverse needs and wants and interests a student has.”

Residence Halls

Students now don’t have to leave their residence halls to utilize some of these resources. Student-led study groups are available for students looking to better understand the material outside of the classroom or the lab, Orgera said.

There is an expansion of supplemental instruction for students as well, which are led by instructors who work with professors to emphasize key concepts and material.
“That gives students the opportunity to go to multiple review sessions throughout the week,” Orgera said.

Supplemental instruction is available for chemistry, biology, physiology, physics and general education courses, Orgera said. He added that more than half of these take place in residence halls, making it more convenient.

In addition to in-person instruction in the residence halls, more online instruction is available now for students to help them study, said Melissa Vito, senior vice president for student affairs and enrollment management.

“You might want to double check something and you’re in your room, now you can get on and do it online,” she said.

Libraries

For students who want to get out of the dorms to study, UA libraries offer study space along with a myriad of resources.

In addition to books — they have six million of them — the libraries offer students computers, cameras and even metronomes, said Gabrielle Sykes-Casavant, director of marketing and public relations for University Libraries. With a recent investment of $100,000 in tech equipment, the libraries now have more than 300 laptops, tablets and netbooks that students can check out for up to 72 hours, she said.

“We’re here for any kind of resource or piece of information or question or need that you might have,” Sykes-Casavant said.

The libraries, which are comprised of the Main Library, the Science-Engineering Library, the Fine Arts Library, the Arizona Health Sciences Library, the Law Library at the James E. Rogers College of Law and a substantial online presence, also maintain a database which students can use to search for academic journals that professors want students to look for while working on assignments, she said. The library also recently added Summon, a service that allows students to more easily search all of the library’s resources.

Several new features are coming to the library this fall, too. Super-quiet study areas in the libraries are being added along with water bottle refilling stations and new carpeting, Sykes-Casavant said.
She added that the library staff is there to assist students with whatever they may need help with through email, by phone or in person. The Main Library is open 24 hours a day on weekdays during the fall and spring semesters.

“Students are encouraged to ask questions, whether it’s a general question about library services or it can be an in-depth research question,” Sykes-Casavant said. “We always have someone available to help them.”

UITS

Much of the academic work students have at the UA depends on having reliable internet access, whether it’s going onto D2L to take a quiz or researching for an essay. University Information Technology Services helps students with their technological needs.

With a staff of 300 full-time staff and student workers, UITS helps students with UAWiFi, resetting NetID passwords, software installation and virus cleanup among other things through its 24/7 IT Support Center, said Susan Legg, assistant director of IT support services at UITS.

Legg said UA students should be aware of common issues when using UAWifi, such as emails that could contain links to harmful sites.

“Don’t click on a link if you don’t know where it goes,” Legg said.

UITS also operates the Office of Student Computing Resources, which operates multimedia labs and helps students with multimedia consulting, said Patti Fastje, director of client services at UITS. The Gear-to-Go Center in the Computer Center building gives students the opportunity to check out equipment such as digital cameras, lighting packages, microphones and other multimedia-related items, she added, all at no cost.

Fastje said that, in coordination with University Libraries and Arizona Student Unions, they will be rebranding WEPA kiosks, which provide wireless printing services for UA students, this fall as Cat Prints with an increased number of locations around campus.

UITS also offers 24/7 Express the first week of the fall semester and the week before at its 24/7 walk-in area to specifically help students get on their Catmail, the UAWifi and be able to access tools using NetID, Legg said. She added that these issues are usually quick fixes, but they are a top priority for students around that time of the semester.

“It’s something that we do specifically at the start of the semester so things go smoothly for them,” Legg said.