The History of the ASC
1950s
A. B. Herr established a Reading Laboratory at the downtown RIT campus to provide instruction for children in the surrounding communities.
1963
The Reading Laboratory, renamed the Reading and Study Clinic, taught reading writing, and study skills. Support services were extended to college students. Marion L’Amoreaux was Acting Director of the College Program. Helen Wheeler was Director of the Community Program.
1968
The Reading and Study Clinic moved to the Henrietta campus. Dr. Paul Kazmierski became director. Math was added to the curriculum.
Services were offered at no charge to RIT students; children in the community were charged a fee. Tuition waivers for Clinic services were offered to children in the Rush-Henrietta School District as part of a good neighbor policy. Waivers of Clinic services became part of the benefits package for RIT employees and dependents.
1970
The College Restoration Program (CRP) and the College Anticipation Program were developed by Irene Payne.
1970s
The Clinic was named the Learning Development Center (LDC) to reflect the comprehensive philosophy of developmental education.
LDC was recognized as a leader in the field of developmental education at local, state and national levels: Kiwanis Service Award for Contributions in Community Service, honor awards from Rochester Project Upward Bound for educational programs provided for disadvantaged youth and the Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC) for training provided to CETA employees, educational program consultant for federal Basic Education Grants and for state grants for developmental education services.
RIT became a National Test Center for SAT, GRE, GMAT, LSAT, DANTES, and NBCC.
LDC assumed leadership roles in developing the New York College Learning Skills Association. Marcia Birken, LDC math instructor, served as president in 1986-87.
1979
English for Speakers of Other Languages Program was developed by Rhona Genzel.
1980
The Community Program moved to the Racquet Club to alleviate space problems created by the growth of the program and the RIT student population.
Dr. Paul Kazmierski became Assistant Vice President in Student Affairs and was responsible for HEOP, Special Services, and International Student Affairs.
1980s
Dr. Paul Kazmierski and Irene Payne received the national College Reading Association’s A. B. Herr Award for outstanding contributions in the area of college reading.
1982
LDC moved to Academic Affairs in the Division of Student Academic Development (SAD). Dr. Kazmierski was appointed Assistant Vice President of SAD and maintained the directorship of LDC. Academic Assessment, Institute Testing, Exit Interview Office, and the Office of Assessment and Institute Support were added to LDC.
1982-83
Marcia Birken, LDC Math instructor, won the Eisenhart Award.1985
Lunch and Learning (now called "Academic Success") Series was launched.
1986
LDC was listed in the National Directory of Exemplary Programs in Developmental Education.
1990
Kids on Campus (KOC) program won the North American Association of Summer Creative and Innovative Programs Award.
1991
LDC reorganized according to Deloitte-Touche recommendations. Academic Assessment, Exit Interview Office, Office of Assessment and Institute Support were cut. LDC lost 5½ full time positions. ESOL became an independent entity. LDC moved back to Student Affairs. Irene Payne became Acting Director of the LDC College and Community Program.
1992
Alternative Learning Department (ALD) was created and became part of the LDC College Program.
1992 -93
Lorna Mittelman, LDC writing instructor, won the Eisenhart Award.
1995-2001
LDC ran Academic Success in College Conference (ASCC), a summer program for pre-freshman. The program was discontinued when RIT began its New Student Orientation Program for all incoming freshman.
1995
LDC’s Students Teaching And Reaching Students (STARS), a program that trained students to teach time management and study skills to other students, was initiated.
Susan Donovan was named Director.
LDC reorganized to include the Disability Services Office. The first Disability Coordinator was hired. HEOP and Special Services once again joined LDC.
1997
Academic Accommodations Office was established. ALD changed its name to Learning Support Services (LSS).
CRP doubled enrollment from 22 to 44 students per quarter.
