PASS on the Knowledge

No one can be an aficionado in everything they do. We all have those subjects that stump us at one point or another, and when they do, take advantage of the PASS program here at Plymouth State University. PASS is located on the lower level of the Lamson Library. The program is an aid for undergraduate students to become independent and efficient learners.  

The student and professional staff at the PASS office are here to guide students in academic counseling, subject area-tutoring, services for students with disabilities, and developing effective learning strategies. The office provides a tranquil and professional setting complete with a computer cluster available to the public. You might even recognize some friendly faces as selected staff can be made up of academically successful students. Interested in being one of these academically successful students with work-study or hourly work? Check online to see if your help is needed at the front desk or if you are interested in being a tutor for your peers.

PASS offers software to aid students with diverse studying tools to enhance learning skills. Kurzweil 3000 is a program enabling print to be converted to electronic text. This software can then be accessed via the student's computer or MP3 for a better comprehension of the material. However, some students understand text better via audio. Dragon Naturally Speaking is software that is voice activated for students who work better with the dictation of the spoken word.

A largely Federal funded program TRIO, as a part of Student Support Services from the U.S. Department of Education, accompanies the PASS program. This federal program has been up and running since 1968 on campuses across the nation, serving first generation college students, students with disabilities and low income students This is extended service with the use of federal money, in which case students interested should visit the Plymouth Academic Support Services page to check for eligibility.

The director of the pass program, Susan Keefe, stresses the mission statement of the department. "I would like to subscribe the notion that one size fits all, here we are all about strategy and student success".  Keefe continued to expand on the importance of "graduation and persistence; we are all striving for academic success". Students paying for a four-year education tend to have similar goals as Keefe. Since we are trying to get the most out of our experience here at PSU, utilize this unique tool given to us by the university. Visit the office or explore their website to see what PASS has to offer you.