Mission & Philosophy
The Cooperative Learning Center engages a community of diverse learners in peer-to-peer collaborative learning to develop intellectual growth, curiosity, and knowledge essential for student success.
Program Philosophy
The Cooperative Learning Center empowers students to become resilient and confident learners. Our program works with faculty, staff, and community members across disciplines to design and offer effective, collaborative, and active learning experiences. We provide student tutors with the opportunity to develop teaching, leadership, communication skills, and a sense of community.
In accordance with the CSUMB Vision Statement, the Learning Center staff and tutors:
- Honor each student’s individual learning needs through a personalized approach.
- Seek to build students’s confidence and academic skill level through teaching study skills and habits of mind.
- Recognize that knowledge is gained through connection, and that learning is a social process.
- Respect all students' need to seek assistance and to maintain confidentiality regarding their academic and personal concerns.
- Work with students to identify and address learning needs efficiently and effectively.
- Value learner diversity by treating all students fairly and equitably, while recognizing and respecting individual rates of development.
Collaborative Learning Guidelines
At the Cooperative Learning Center (CLC), we believe that learning is best facilitated in an atmosphere of curiosity, respect, and collaboration. Our goal is to create spaces where students and tutors work together as partners in the learning process.
To get the most out of your CLC experience, we encourage you to:
- Engage collaboratively. Tutoring works best as a shared process. Bring your questions, ideas, and willingness to explore strategies together with your tutor.
- Communicate with respect and empathy. Everyone in the session—students and tutors alike—deserves to feel heard, valued, and supported.
- Stay open to feedback and process. Learning takes time and experimentation. Approach sessions with curiosity and an openness to trying new ways of thinking or studying.
- Acknowledge each other’s roles. Tutors are trained peers who guide learning through conversation and strategy-sharing. Mutual respect helps both students and tutors feel comfortable taking risks and learning together.
- Focus on growth, not perfection. Tutoring is about developing confidence, understanding, and long-term learning skills—not just solving a single problem.
When Challenges Arise
If communication ever becomes disrespectful or unproductive, tutors may pause or end a session and refer the concern to CLC staff. We’ll work with everyone involved to restore a positive learning environment and ensure that future sessions are supportive and effective.
Our shared commitment to curiosity, respect, and collaboration helps make the CLC a space where everyone can learn and grow.