Student Comments

"What I like about the Math Center is that I can come in on my own time and the center is open hours that are really flexible too. I work at my own pace and take tests when I am ready. I don't have to worry about cramming for a test. And everyone has to love that there is no homework! Tutors are available if I ever need help."
-Mai Lor

"I like the Math Center better than a regular classroom because I can get one on one help from a tutor. I can also come in on my own time."
-Zoe Ryan-Ast

"I like the fact that I can go at my own pace. If I feel like I already have the concept down, I can move on and take the test for the chapter as opposed to being in a class that is regimented, where you have to wait to take a test. It also helps having tutors readily available if you need any help. I also like the ability to take practice tests to see where you stand."
-Chris Arentz

"I like how the Math Center is organized. The computer video are has the math software we need for each class. The tutorial CD is simple and very useful."
-Clara H. Skowron

"I really love the schedule. It will really help me a lot with other classes. It will give me the flexibility to plan my days better and it's great because you can work at your own pace."
-Angel Huertas

"It's great that we have the freedom to come whenever we want instead of at a specific time. It helps us to be more organized and responsible to finish the hours. It gives us the opportunity to focus more and get help on our problems from the tutor instead of being in a class of thirty students."
-Afaar Naddour

"As this semester began, I was enrolled in a regular Math 35 class and on the first class meeting a representative from the math lab came in and explained the idea of enrolling in a self-paced class. I immediately made my decision. I personally feel that being given the opportunity in college to be in a self-paced class is a great opportunity if the student has the work ethic to succeed. After learning the way the math lab works, I am content completing my math units in this environment. The staff in the math lab is pleasant and eager to help. The ability and method of checking out materials is a great element. From the check-in/check-out process to test taking, the math lab is well designed and organized well. "
-Christopher Boshell

"I honestly love the Math Center and the fact that it is one of the options students are given to complete remedial courses. The reasons why I love the Math Center are many, but I will only list a few here. One of the main "pros" of the program is that students are able to progress as slow or as fast as they choose or are able. Most students share the same mind set of getting it done as fast as possible, and here, this is an option. Another reason why the Math Center is great is because the style of learning math is mostly in the hands of the student. Math is a delicate subject that must be presented to students in a manner of which they are able to grasp. I believe in a classroom with 60 other people, there will be many "left in the dust". The Math Center offers one on one tutoring that will not only encourage the student in learning, but also ensure his/her total understanding of the material. In order to truly progress and succeed in the Math Center, it is required that the student totally understands the material. I believe in the classroom we are able to "slide through" sometimes."
-Mazen Aboul-Zelof

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Faculty Comments

"Since its inception in 1994, the Math Center has provided a flexible alternative to the traditional lecture courses. The open-entry, open-exit, self-paced courses offered by the Math Center have enabled thousands of students to complete their math goals in a unique way. Yet, there are still situations that require additional solutions. That's why the Math 15 refresher courses and the online open-entry Math 95 and 96 courses were added to the Math Center offerings in 2007 and 2008.

These new programs allow City College to a provide unprecedented support for the math-related needs of our students. Need to unblock a repetition violation? Can do. Need to refresh your Math in a low cost, no penalty course before taking the placement exam? Can do. Need a streamlined path to Math 119 for transfer purposes? Can do. Need to challenge a prerequisite? Can do. Need to work exclusively online, finish a course early, or have extend time? Can do. Can do. Can do.

As founder and coordinator of the Math Center program, I've seen quite a few students get totally stuck in pursuit of their math prerequisites over the years. Now, we have enough tools in place for students to work through these issues and become unstuck. It is extremely gratifying to help students complete their math requirements and move on."
-David Kater, Math Center Coordinator

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"The Math Center gives students that opportunity to address their academic needs in various ways. Students can take self-paced developmental courses in various modalities. Students can choose to take full courses physically or online. They can take the opportunity to work as fast or as slow as they need. They can take the opportunity of meeting course prerequisites or addressing course repeatability violations through the 1-unit math refresher courses. Using the Math Center’s resources any developmental math student can receive tutoring, work with the online tutorials, work online in their online courses, or view course videos for their particular course.

The Math Center offers incredible flexibility for students to choose the most appropriate course given their situation. If as student wants to take up to two semesters to complete a challenging math course, all the while have someone to guide them and assist them in their progress, then they can simply enroll in our Math Center self-paced courses. If they want the flexibility of doing the same course but online, they can enroll in our self-paced developmental math course. If they want to refresh on their math skills to clear course perquisites or advance in their placement level, they can use the resources available in the center to assist them. Since the Math Center is open on Saturdays and evening, students can fit their education around their busy work and family schedules.

Finally, the math center works on the premise of servicing students in the best way possible. Students visiting the Math center will receive advise from our staff and faculty on the best option for their progress, and when necessary our staff will assist students by filling out petition to clear prerequisites, or will schedule an appointment with the chair, or will advise students on registering for their courses. All in all, students’ needs, their academic success and their progress to their degree are the primary concerns of all Math Center staff."
- Carlos de la Lama, Math Department Chairperson

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"Counselors have benefited greatly from the support of the Math Center and we regularly refer students to take advantage of all it has to offer. Students are supported with tutors and a variety of modalities to learn. The option to take courses online or self-paced, adds an invaluable opportunity for those students demanding a more flexible schedule, e.g., our military students taking courses from out-of-state or abroad. The newly created math refresher courses have also proven to be an added complement to student learning; helping students to review specific math topics and prepare for higher levels of math."
- Perla Vizcarra, Math Dept. Liason for the Counseling Dept.

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"I like the Math Center because my students can get extra help, especially when they go before class."
-Paul Young, Math Professor