Student Learning Commons: Consultation Terms of Service and Agreement

Note: SLC consultants include student volunteers (Peer Educators) and Graduate Writing Facilitators with whom you can book appointments. 

By using the SLC, you agree to the following:

  • Set clear and realistic goals for your consultation. Describe your goals as specifically as you can when filling in the field—“What would you like to work on during this visit?” For example, “Help with developing my thesis” is clearer and more realistic than “Help with my essay.”
  • Be willing to discuss your goals with your consultant and work on them during your appointment.
  • Complete any actions recommended by your consultant before your next appointment.
  • Be prepared for the consultation: for example, upload relevant documents (assignment guidelines, your work-in-progress) to your appointment on WCO and/or print out those documents (especially your work-in-progress) and bring them to your consultation. 
  • You cannot transfer your appointment to someone else or make a booking for someone else. However, one member of a group working together on a project may book a group-writing (“team”) consultation. The consultant will focus only on parts of the assignment written by students present during the consultation and will respect the time-limits described below.

APPOINTMENTS: You may book a daily maximum of two half-hour appointment slots or one 1-hour appointment slot. These maximums also apply to group projects.

  • A “half-hour” time slot is up to 25 minutes long, ending at xx:25 or xx:55.
  • A “one-hour” time slot is up to 50 minutes long, ending at xx:20 or xx:50.
  • These margins allow consultants time to complete administrative tasks between consultations.
  • Peers and facilitators cannot take consultations about assignments for classes they are currently taking or instructing. When you click on an appointment slot, you will see a list of these classes (if applicable).

LATE POLICY: If you are more than 5 minutes late for an in-person appointment, you may lose that appointment, depending on whether the consultant feels that they are still able to work with you for the remaining time. 

For virtual appointments, we recognize that technology glitches can make it challenging to connect. You will not forfeit a virtual appointment unless you fail to arrive within the set appointment time. You are still expected to make your best effort to be on time for your scheduled consultations.

SLC staff will monitor the consultation schedule and if we notice a pattern of lateness, you may be contacted. This policy aims to ensure accessibility of our appointments for all students. 

NO-SHOW POLICY: If you don’t show up for an appointment and didn’t request a cancellation (see below), your appointment will be marked as a no-show. Your WCOnline account will be blocked from booking appointments if you miss two booked appointments. If your account is blocked, please contact the office (learning-commons@sfu.ca) to discuss options. 

CANCELLING A BOOKING: If you cannot come for your appointment, you may use the online booking system to cancel the appointment 5 hours or more in advance. Appointments that are cancelled within 5 hours of the start time will be marked as a late cancellation. 

If you have more than three late cancellations during the same term, you may be blocked from booking further SLC appointments for the rest of the term, or until you reach out to us at learning-commons@sfu.ca 

LIMITATIONS TO SLC CONSULTATIONS

The SLC provides strategies and resources to help you revise your own work. Consultants will not edit, proofread, correct, or “check” your work.

SLC consultants do not provide tutoring on course content. They will not give answers or opinions about content, ideas, or specific wording for assignments.

Consultants provide assistance strictly within the SLC and only during their shifts.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Consultations are confidential and will be managed in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (R.S.B.C), c. 165, s. 26(c). The information on this website is collected under the authority of the University Act (R.S.B.C. 1996, c.468, s. 27(4)(a)). It is related directly to and needed by the University for services provided by the Student Learning Commons. The information will be used to maintain a record of consultation with Student Learning Commons staff. If you have any questions about the collection and use of this information please contact Donna McGee Thompson, Head, Student Learning Commons, at 778.782.3294 or dmcthomp@sfu.ca.