Tutors

Tutoring takes a variety forms and tutors hold many titles. Fundamentally, a tutor is someone who provides formal (e.g. help rooms) or informal academic assistance (e.g. study tables) that supplements instruction provided by course instructors.

Tutoring is not meant to replace formal instruction.
A tutor can be someone designated by an instructor or on-campus service provider.
Tutees can seek out their own private services with the understanding that the tutor(s) may not be endorsed or promoted by the University.
Tutoring can occur voluntarily and informally in settings such as study groups.
Tutoring can take place in-person, online, individually, or in group settings.
Receiving pay for tutoring services may impact your financial aid status or visa status. Students should check with the appropriate party to confirm their eligibility to provide such a service.

Tutoring Session

A tutoring session can happen in both structured and unstructured settings. Tutoring occurs when one party or individual provides course and academic concept-related assistance of any type to another party or individual. Tutors may volunteer or receive pay for their services. On-campus service providers may require more specific expectations and/or outcomes of tutoring sessions. Private parties should agree on mutually understood expectations prior to the tutoring session(s).

Tutor Rights:

Tutors have the right to refrain from sharing his/her personal information with the student.
Tutors have the right to refuse to meet with students who make them feel uncomfortable or are disrespectful or rude.
Tutors have the right to request that tutoring sessions occur in a safe and public environment.
Tutors have the right to refer to other on-campus support services or staff members when student needs exceed the tutor's abilities or expertise.
Tutors have the right to self-promote their services and are encouraged to uphold the CRLA's (College Reading and Learning Association) Tutor Code of Ethics.

Students Receiving Tutoring (Tutee) Rights:

Students have the right to confidentiality. Tutors should not speak with outside parties about students’ performance.
Students have the right to report violations of university policy by a tutor.
Students have the right to uphold Ethical Standards and the Academic Integrity polices as defined by their university’s Student Conduct Code.
The responsibility for academic success rests with the student.
Students have the right to seek out formal and informal resources for academic help from any party offering services. Be mindful that on campus resources may use their discretion in making their services available.
Students have the right to request tutoring occur in a safe and public environment.
Students have the right to know the pedagogy and learning strategies of a tutor service provider and the intended result from a tutoring session.
Students have the right to seek private, self-promoted tutoring services with the understanding that tutors may not be endorsed by their university or held to the CRLA's (College Reading and Learning Association) Tutor Code of Ethics.

Ethics

Our Tutoring Code of Ethics is based on standards set by the Association for the Tutoring Profession (ATP). Taking into account the diversity in tutoring and academic help resources, the following ethical standards should be upheld by any party seeking or providing tutoring of any type at Purdue. We highly encourage self-promoted tutoring services or individuals to hold themselves to the same standards as outlined in this document.

Best Interest: Tutors will be committed to acting in the best interest of a tutee as specified by the sponsoring organization or individual. Tutors will be expected to report instances in which students are in violation of tutor/tutee rights, university policy, and/or engaged in success-inhibiting behaviors. Private parties should agree on mutually understood expectations prior the tutoring session.
Responsibility: Tutors and tutees will take responsibility for their own behavior and work to resolve conflicts that may arise between themselves and other invested parties, including the instructor or advisor.
Academic Integrity: Tutors and tutees will practice and promote accuracy, honesty, and truthfulness. Students will uphold their university’s Code of Conduct and Academic Integrity statement(s). Each party will report violations of university policies through appropriate channels. Tutors will never accept illegal payment for a tutoring session.
Fairness: Tutors and tutees will exercise reasonable judgment and take precautions to ensure that their potential biases, the boundaries of their competence, and the limitations of their expertise do not lead to or condone unjust practices. Expectations should be established of mutually appropriate language and the pedagogical strategy in which tutoring will be delivered or supported.
Commitment: Tutors will fulfill commitments and expectations made to students, employers, and instructors. Furthermore, tutors and tutees should fulfill his or her responsibilities by being on-time and being prepared with appropriate materials to facilitate a session.
Standards: Tutors will refrain from guaranteeing grades or academic outcomes from a tutoring session. Tutors may be asked to uphold a particular philosophy or learning strategies from their employer.
Respect for Others: Tutors will respect the dignity and worth of all people and the rights of individuals to privacy, confidentiality, and self-determination. Tutors will respect cultural, individual, and role differences, including those based on age, sex, gender identity, race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, language, and socioeconomic status.
Relationship: Tutors will not engage in inappropriate relations with tutees. Tutors will also be aware of power structures and will avoid compromising environments that encourage the use of unbalanced power dynamics.
Confidentiality: Tutors will maintain the highest privacy standards in terms of protecting personal information relative to those whom they tutor. This information includes, but is not limited to, educational records, personal circumstances and history, and other pertinent information.