The Center's History


Writing Lab 2017	Math Lab 2006	Tutor Training 2008

The Center for Student Learning began supporting students in 1974, and will celebrate 50 years of continuous service to the CofC community in 2024! See below for highlights of the CSL’s history!

1974	Originally the Communications Skill Center (as part of Counseling Center).
1976	The Math Lab was created by the Math Department and originally staffed by three mathematics department faculty and several student assistants, dealing mainly with basic level math courses.
1976	The Writing Lab was created by the English Department and originally staffed by two English department faculty and several student assistants, dealing mainly with introductory writing skills.
1980	Math, Writing, Study Skills, Physical Sciences, and Reading tutoring were added to the College Skills Lab, but still under the Counseling Center.
1981	College Skills Lab (CSL) became an independent entity reporting to the Vice President for Student Affairs.
1982	The Center assumed responsibility for all college tutoring programs.
1982	CSL moved to Education Center.
1984	CSL moved under the Undergraduate Dean in Academic Affairs.
1986	Accounting Lab was created with no permanent staff but assisted by an accounting instructor.
1987	CSL became a part of the Division of Enrollment Management.
1987	CSL provided tutors in French, Spanish, Latin, and German, but no formal lab with a training program was yet in place.
1988	An adjunct language instructor served part-time as a coordinator of the foreign languages tutors.
1989	A permanent director position for the Foreign Languages Tutoring Lab was established, staffed by a faculty member with part-time release from his/her department.
1989	The writing lab established that it would be directed by an English faculty member who has a halftime release from the department.
1989	The Math Lab obtained its first two computers for student use, an Apple II and IBM. The Writing Lab also received computers to move into information age which assisted the college in the implementation of computer literacy.
1990	Supplemental Instruction support was piloted at the College for several science courses.
1991	CSL now reported to Undergraduate Studies.
1991	CSL began to certify tutors and labs through CRLA. Math Lab Extended hours until 9pm Monday through Thursday and started opening labs on Sunday 6pm-9pm. History 101 was added to the list of classes supported by Supplemental Instruction.
1992	The Foreign Language Tutoring lab began offering tutoring for Russian.
1994	The Foreign Language Tutoring Lab began offering tutoring for Ancient Greek, Arabic, Italian, and Japanese. The CSL began coordinating services with SNAP. Math 120 was added to SI.
1995	Math 105 was added to SI.
1996	The CSL opened a Philosophy Writing Lab.
1998	The College Skills Lab became known as the Center for Student Learning. This new name better reflects the mission and purpose of the services we provide. A new sign-in system was implemented. Students would now sign-in through a computer system to get rid of using pencil and paper, which also helped keep better track of data. The Foreign Language Tutoring Lab added Hebrew to its list languages. Econ 202 was added to SI.
1999	Biology and Philosophy Writing Labs were closed and are considered miscellaneous tutoring. Econ 201 and Physics 101 was added to SI.
2000	Accounting 203 was added to SI.
2005	CSL moved to Addlestone Library.
2005	CSL is now aligned with the Academic Experience and ultimately reports to the Office of the Provost.
2005	The Speaking Lab was created after an ad hoc Communication across the Curriculum committee was charged to develop a proposal coordinating College of Charleston efforts to improve students’ oral and written communication skills. The recommendation to establish a speaking lab to be directed by a faculty member in the communication department was accepted by the provost who then approved and appropriated funding.
2009	Cougar Countdown, a weeklong series of stress-reducing activities during final exam week, was brought to the College campus by Lindy Coleman, CSL Study Skills Program Coordinator. This successful program has partnered with over 30 different offices to provide support to students when other campuses would normally “shut down.”
2010	Peer Academic Coaches (PAC) were added to the Study Skills Program to serve as accountability and time management partners to students. The PAC program soon began targeting students in academic recovery mode, working in alignment with the Office of Undergraduate Academic Services.
2013	TutorTrac software was acquired to improve the efficiency of data collection across the broad spectrum of services. The homegrown database dating back to 1998 had suffered from multiple programmers and a lack of institutional support making it virtually useless. TutorTrac will enable the Center to gather even more data electronically and provide real time reports more easily.
2013	The Science Tutoring Lab was reinstituted in order to serve the diverse needs of students studying in the natural sciences.
2013	Supplemental Instruction was expanded beyond math and science courses with funding approved by the Board of Trustees to encompass other high DFW courses, such as PHIL 120 and PSYC 213.
2014	The Center for Student Learning celebrates 40 years of excellence in leading and learning.
2016	Supplemental Instruction was expanded to a variety of courses including Latin and Greek 101.
2018	The Accounting Lab transitioned to a full drop-in Business Lab, providing tutoring in Accounting, Finance, Business Statistics, and Economics.
2018	Social Sciences Research Methods was added to the Science Lab as a drop-in tutoring opportunity.
2019	The CSL began to explore opportunities for live, online tutoring after hours.
2020	As the Covid-19 pandemic made its indelible mark across the country and around the world, the CSL pivoted to transition all support services to the Zoom online platform. Tutors, SI Leaders, Coaches, and professional staff trained together to learn and develop best practices for students who were now learning remotely.
2022	A hybrid model of in person and online tutoring, SI, and coaching for students is offered, providing access to services that align with the mode of delivery of CofC courses. The CSL purchased TracCloud, the newest version of TutorTrac, which offers a better interface and greater accessibility for student users and student and professional staff.


Tutor Training 2004	Move to Library 2005	Accounting Lab 2009

Writing Lab 2005	Math Lab 2010	Foreign Language Lab 2008

The Center's History

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