Coastal Carolina University's Department of Mathematics and Statistics is launching an outreach initiative to assist student performance in math courses.

Eleven mathematics faculty members have volunteered to be available to students outside of classes. Meeting at the HTC Center, Kimbel Library and the Math Learning Center, starting Tuesday, Jan. 20, and ending Wednesday, April 29.

"The idea behind this is to meet with the students on neutral ground as well give faculty the opportunity to interact with all students," says James Solazzo, associate professor and chair of the department. "This provides students the chance to experience how other instructors explain the material and socialize with peers who are also trying to succeed."

The focus will be on the 100-level math courses -- college algebra, trigonometry, business calculus, contemporary mathematics, calculus 1 and 2, as well as a 200-level statistics course. Approximately 3,200 students are taking 80 math classes.

"We want to help our students succeed," says Solazzo. "This is an opportunity for us to learn what we can do better. Rather than having them come to us, we will go out to them."

For more information, contact Thomas Hoffman, associate professor and associate chair, at 843-349-2249.