The Mathematics Enrichment Workplace, located at the far right corner of the Ellender Memorial Library, is home to Math 100, 101, 102 and 108 students.

Donald Lasseigne, mathematics instructor and co-coordinator for the M.E.W. lab, said that the lab is mostly used by Math 100 and 101 students because those students are required to go. 

“Our classroom lectures are called focus classes,” Lasseigne said. “So for math 100 classes, on the days when we are not in lecture, we are in the lab working on problems. Math 101 students usually do the required hours on their own.”

Math 100 students are required to do three hours a week, and Math 101 students are required to do two.

Sherill Dupree, mathematics instructor and co-coordinator for the M.E.W. lab, said that students in the lab are required to do the assignments related to the coursework. 

 “They are welcome to do more than that in the lab if for some reason they need extra assistance,” Dupree said. “There are about four people in the M.E.W. lab at all times to answer questions and help students with the work.”

Dupree said that before this lab policy was implemented, there was a very low passing rate for college algebra. The required hours in the lab in addition to the software has improved passing rates.

“By doing this, students have to do the homework.” Dupree said. “Through this, the students actually learn something. That’s the goal, and we’re doing everything we can do to help students pass the course.”

Instructors have access to the time that each student has spent in the lab, who is currently in the lab, and where each student is seated in the lab. Students receive a schedule at the beginning of the semester that details homework assignments, chapters being covered and testing dates.

Melissa Victor, mathematics graduate student from Houma, said that she really enjoys her job in the lab. As a tutor in the M.E.W. lab, Victor helps students with homework and other exercises they are required to do for class. She works alongside nine other mathematics specialists including graduate and upper level mathematics students.

“This lab is responsible for the students’ improvement, and it helps them to pass the courses,” Victor said. “It is amazing what kind of resources they have access to. Students have no excuse to not pass their classes.”

Additional information, including hours for the M.E.W. lab can be found at http://math.nicholls.edu/mew/.