Supplemental Instruction
Supplemental Instruction has concluded for the Fall 2024 semester. SI sessions will begin the first week of the Spring 2025 semester.
Supplemental Instruction
The Academic Success Center’s Supplemental Instruction (SI) program is a non-remedial learning support program that helps students in high-risk, historically difficult courses. Students are invited to SI sessions led by the assigned course SI leader. SI sessions are held throughout the semester and allow students to navigate course content and review learning strategies. SI leaders are UNLV students who have recently completed the course with a grade of "B" or better and were recommended by partnering academic faculty.
The ASC's Supplemental Instruction (SI) Program has earned national accreditation from the International Center for Supplemental Instruction! This recognition highlights the SI team's commitment and effort in delivering exceptional academic support to students. Please click HERE to explore and learn more about the International Center for Supplemental Instruction and how this accreditation will enhance the ASC's SI Program.
Benefits of Supplemental Instruction
Regular attendance of SI sessions provides students a number of opportunities including:
- Higher grades in the course
- Dedicated time to immediately review material covered in class with a knowledgeable, peer SI leader
- A chance to reinforce course topics and work through difficult concepts with peers
- Occasions to form study groups that can continue throughout the semester
- Engaging in various collaborative learning techniques
- Learning tips from their SI leader on how to be successful in the assigned course
Data from the spring 2024 semester on select courses shows that when students actively participate in SI, they earn higher final course grades than their peers who did not participate.
How Supplemental Instruction Works
All available SI session course assignments and times are listed prior to the start of the semester/session. Supported courses will have SI sessions twice a week, though days and times are subject to change. Students will learn more information from their assigned course SI Leader who will also make class announcements about SI support towards the beginning of the semester. Students can also ask their professor if the course has paired SI support.
Requirements to Participate
Students registered in the supported course are not required to attend the SI sessions; participation is voluntary. Those students who are interested in participating in SI must meet the following requirements:
- Be enrolled in the specific course and section number for which the SI support is offered
- Have a current UNLV student ID with NSHE number
SI attendees are encouraged to bring their textbook, notes, and prepared questions to the session to get the most out of the experience. SI leaders hold separate office hours for brief one-on-one questions in addition to the weekly SI sessions.
Access Your SI Session
Students can access the virtual SI sessions and office hours by visiting UNLV Zoom and entering the corresponding meeting ID number assigned to their course/section. Each semester/session, courses are assigned SI meeting ID numbers. The SI meeting ID number can be found on the current ASC SI schedule.
Rules and Policies
- Students must provide their NSHE number to participate in the sessions.
- UNLV’s student code of conduct and the Academic Success Center’s Supplemental Instruction policies apply to all SI operations and sessions. For questions, please contact si@unlv.edu or 702-895-2909.
- There is a no recording policy for SI sessions. This is to ensure the privacy and anonymity of the attending students. If a student is unable to attend a session, it is the student's responsibility to contact the SI leader for their assigned course and meet with the SI leader during their scheduled office hours. Students may also use ASC drop-in tutoring for course support at no additional charge.
For more information, read our complete ASC Supplemental Instruction Policies and Procedures.
Faculty Partnership and Responsibilities
The Supplemental Instruction program’s mission to partner with historically difficult courses and provide this service to our students would not be possible without the support of our UNLV Faculty. The stronger the team between SI leader and faculty, the more likely students are to participate in and benefit from SI sessions.
However, SI is meant to be a supplemental support for students, and we understand that faculty cannot always commit to being a faculty partner. If you are a UNLV faculty member who believes SI would be a good fit for your course, we encourage you to contact us at si@unlv.edu. SI session scheduling typically begins when the course offerings are published in MyUNLV.
- Grant SI leaders access to their Canvas course (if WebCampus is used)
- Introduce SI to the course through announcements, share SI session information, and invite students to attend SI sessions
- Allow SI leaders to make occasional course announcements throughout the semester
- Ensure the SI Leaders have access to copies of course textbooks and materials
- Meet with their assigned SI Leader throughout the semester to discuss course content, tests, any concerns or questions you may be having, etc. Faculty will also complete an evaluation and assessment survey of their assigned SI leader in the middle of the semester and at the end of semester
- Communicate with SI staff as necessary
- Help market and promote SI Sessions to their students
- Extra credit is not allowed. SI is meant as a learning support for students to gain valuable learning strategies as well as review course material. Offering grade incentives for SI participation defeats the purpose of SI. A recommendation would be for faculty to offer extra credit for visiting ASC tutoring instead or attending faculty office hours.
- Faculty cannot know which students attend SI sessions for their course. Attendance in SI sessions is anonymous to the instructor. This allows the sessions to be a safe learning environment for students without worrying about evaluation or if their grade in the course will be influenced.
- Talk to all of their students about SI sessions - do not select students who may be struggling in the class, but offer the opportunity to all enrolled students
- Make announcements to their students about SI and SI benefits
- Add information about SI sessions in their syllabus
- Work with the SI team to market SI sessions
SI Leader Position
Applications for SI leader positions are accepted throughout the school year, though we are not always hiring. We are seeking UNLV students with strong interpersonal communication and professionalism skills; willing to assist a diverse group of students enrolled in historically difficult, lower-division college courses.SI leaders are part-time student workers and are only allowed to work up to 20 hours a week during the academic year. Please note that to be considered, applicants must have received a recommendation from a UNLV faculty member through the Online Recommendation/Reference form.