About the Dolciani Mathematics Learning Center


History of Center

The Dolciani Mathematics Learning Center (formerly called the Math Learning Resource Center) opened in 1971 through a grant secured by Professor Mary P. Dolciani, a faculty member in the Mathematics Department. The first of its kind in CUNY and one of the first in the country, it was an audio-visual Center with the main thrust being to aid underprepared students in the learning of calculus and finite mathematics. Students progressed through courses using in-house prepared slides and tapes that covered all the topics in the course. Tutors were available to answer students' questions. The Center was upgraded through a generous grant from the Dolciani-Halloran Foundation in 1986, after the death of Professor Dolciani.

Location

The Center was originally located on the 12th floor of the North Building. Upon its move to 51st Street in 1973, the Center was able to house three sections of MATH 100 simultaneously. In 1979, the Center moved to the second floor of Thomas Hunter where the Access Center is now located.
Today the Center is located in Rooms 300 through 305HN and is a four-purpose facility.

Upgrades and Expansions
1986:
After Professor Dolciani's death, the Center was upgraded to a computer facility and had as its primary role, the delivery of remedial mathematics instruction.
1990:
The Center expanded to provide support services to students in all math/stat courses.
1995:
The Center expanded to provide classroom instruction in calculus and statistics.
2000:
The Center expanded physically to incorporate the delivery of computer-based precalculus, and statistics instruction.


Click on each picture to enlarge it.

Views of the Distant Past

                           Center's Reception Desk, 1978

                           

Views of the Recent Past

                           

                           

Today's Center

+   Multi-Media Library
+   Tutorial Center
+   Classroom
+   Reference Library
+   Workshops
+   Problem Sessions
+   College Now

                           

                           


Plans for the Immediate Future

-   Expand our multi-media offerings in upper-level mathematics and statistics.
-   Identify on-line websites for students to receive quality help in mathematics/statistics.
-   Expand our focus to include the mathematics and statistics skills needed in other departments.

What You Can Do to Help

-   Encourage students to come to the Center.
-   Volunteer to do a videotape on selected topics needed.
-   Identify students (or adjuncts) who can tutor upper-division courses.