OSU celebrates completion of new Mathematics Learning Success Center

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Oklahoma State University President Burns Hargis gets ready to cut the ribbon celebrating the completion of the OSU Mathematics Learning Success Center (MLSC) located on the fifth floor of the Edmon Low Library on the OSU-Stillwater campus. Pictured with Hargis are: (from left to right) William Jaco, Head of the OSU Department of Mathematics; Chris Burnett, Nabholz Construction Services Operations President; Bret Danilowicz, Dean of the OSU College of Arts & Sciences; Sheila Johnson, OSU Dean of Libraries; President Hargis; Calvin Anthony, OSU/A&M Board of Regents; Robert Sternberg, OSU Provost & Senior Vice President; and Chris Francisco, Assoc. Head of Lower Division Mathematics at OSU. Its estimated more than 8,000 students will use the services provided by the MLSC each year. The center will open to students this summer.

A ribbon-cutting was held today to celebrate the completion of Oklahoma State University’s new state-of-the-art Mathematics Learning Success Center (MLSC). The MLSC is available to all students in lower-level mathematics courses looking for resources outside of the classroom.

“It is significant that success is part of the title of this center,” said OSU President Burns Hargis. “That is what all of us are working toward, creating opportunities so our students can succeed at OSU and beyond.”

There are more than 8,000 students enrolled in lower-division mathematics courses each academic year. Every degree program at OSU has a mathematics requirement.

“Mathematics is the key to opening doors to opportunity and careers for students. It is the foundation to the STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics),” said Dr. William Jaco, OSU regents professor and mathematics department head.

Oklahoma State University has been a national leader in terms of providing student support for the study and learning of mathematics since 1984 when it introduced the Mathematics Learning Resource Center (MLRC).

In October 2010, Provost Sternberg formed a committee to explore enhancements to the mathematics education curriculum at OSU in response to the number of students not succeeding in entry-level math courses. Recommendations from the committee called for renovation and enhancement of the MLRC.

A state of the art facility incorporating experienced personnel, the latest technology, and the best-practice pedagogy in support of student learning and success in mathematics was proposed.

The university designated 7,500 square feet of the fifth floor of the Edmon Low Library to serve as a hub for support services for students in lower-division math courses. This location enhances the historic role of the Edmon Low Library as the center for student study and learning on the OSU campus.

“With the support of the Success in Undergraduate Mathematics program, the message to students and parents is that if you go to OSU, you will receive all support possible for learning and success in mathematics,” said Jaco. Jaco added, "The new MLSC is a cornerstone to building our program of student learning and success in mathematics."

The MLSC will provide the latest in education software and computer technology. Highly trained tutors and a dedicated staff will coordinate and supervise the services. These new resources will provide enhancements for student learning and success.

The MLSC includes a 124-seat open computer lab, two flexible tutoring labs specifically for pre-calculus and calculus courses, five small tutoring rooms and administrative space. The enhanced MLSC will provide more services and be able to accommodate roughly three times the current capacity of the MLRC.

The center will open to students for tutoring this summer. Its hours of operation will be Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. to 5p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.

By Debra Schlegel