Resources for Academic Success

RESOURCES FOR

ACADEMIC SUCCESS

CASA (Center for Academic Services & Advising) casa.mines.edu

Academic Advising

CASA is the academic home for all incoming first-year and transfer students. Through professional advisement services, CASA guides all students through the core curriculum until the student has begun major-specific coursework and is ready to declare their major. Regardless of academic interest or intended major, CASA Academic Advising Coordinators work individually with students in a holistic and developmental manner. Students receive invaluable advice on course sequences, class planning and major choice (if applicable). In addition, the CASA Peer Advising program connects first-year students with upper-level peers who are personable, supportive and understanding of the needs of Mines students. Peer Advisors provide honest, authentic guidance to their fellow classmates and offer an invaluable student perspective on courses, the registration process, extracurricular opportunities and academic resources.

Academic Support Services

Tutoring is offered Sunday through Thursday from 5 p.m.–11 p.m. in the CASA Study Hall and Arthur Lakes Library. Tutors are successful undergraduates and offer non-judgmental assistance in the core curriculum as well as many major-specific courses. Tutoring services run in concert with our Core Review Sessions, peer review sessions for core courses prior to exams. Both tutoring and Core Review Sessions are free, and all students are encouraged to take advantage of them on a regular basis.

End-of-the-semester academic support wraps up with CASA’s Pre-Finals Workshop, a day-long event with CASA tutors, Core Review Session facilitators, and faculty available throughout the day to address students’ final exam preparation questions. Healthy snacks, free massages and study break activities are also a part of this popular workshop.

Students may also request individual academic assistance via academic coaching with CASA professional staff. Coaching works to equip students with the fundamental tools for succeeding at Mines. Coaching sessions often address study habits and techniques, test anxiety and preparedness, as well as time management and self-regulatory skills.

Faculty Integration

CASA hosts “Faculty in CASA,” an awardwinning program where faculty hold their office hours in CASA. Through this program, students meet with faculty for extended office hours in a comfortable meeting space equipped with whiteboards for individual instruction.

Last but not least, CASA is a physical casa for students. CASA offers printing, free computer access, a microwave and refrigerator, and a large late-night study hall that is accessible after hours for all students.

Disability Support Services

Disability Support Services is committed to providing equal access to university courses, programs and activities for students with a disability. In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, staff work with students to manage the impact of their disability on learning and living at Mines by providing reasonable accommodations for qualifying students. Disability Support Services determines eligibility and appropriate accommodations based on an interactive process. Please visit disabilities.mines.edu for registration and contact information.