The Peer Learning Commons (PLC) at Bates is located on the Ground Level of Ladd Library. The PLC houses two learning support centers: the Student Academic Support Center (SASC) and the Student Writing & Language Center (SWLC). 

SASC provides peer tutoring in introductory and intermediate level courses across the curriculum, but primarily in mathematics, statistics, digital and computational studies, quantitative social sciences, life sciences, physical sciences, music theory,  introduction to logic, comparative politics, and quantitative skills. SASC also provides support in learning strategies and study skills through academic coaching, peer tutoring, and targeted workshops. 

SWLC provides peer tutoring for student-writers and language-learners across the curriculum at any stage of the writing or language-learning process. This includes: course-attached writing tutors for every First-Year Seminar ([W1]); writing tutoring for interdisciplinary and field-specific ([W2]) courses, for writing in any course at Bates, for writing for purposes outside of academic courses (e.g. personal or creative writing, grant or conference proposals, graduate school applications and essays, speech writing, workplace writing, etc.), and for senior thesis/capstone ([W3]) writing and courses; language tutoring for entry- and mid-level language courses, including speaking practice, reading, studying, and writing support in those courses; and specialized tutoring for multilingual students seeking support for writing in English as a Second Language (ESL) or writing English for Academic Purposes (EAP). 

SASC and SWLC partner to provide public speaking and presentation support (PSPS) through the Davis Family Foundation Presentation and Speaking Practice Studios in the PLC.  Students are invited to schedule an appointment at any stage in the preparation process; however, we strongly encourage folks to come ready to practice. PSPS tutors are trained to listen, notice, and provide actionable feedback to help students improve the efficacy of their public speaking and presenting skills.

Students are invited to stop by, without an appointment, during the drop-in hours in the PLC to meet with a SASC or SWLC tutor, study independently, meet up with classmates, or discuss learning strategies. Students who wish to set up an individual appointment can discuss options with a Resource Representative at the PLC check-in desk or search Penji, our scheduling app, for tutor availability.