Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What do I do if I cannot make a session?
Please email Bearcatbuddies@uc.edu if you are going to miss a session. Make sure the subject line is a brief description of what your email entails.
Q: How many sessions can I miss in a semester?
Please email Bearcatbuddies@uc.edu if you are going to miss a session. Make sure the subject line is a brief description of what your email entails. You are allowed to miss two unexcused sessions per semester but no sessions in the last month of either the Fall or Spring Semester. Any missed sessions after two could result in you being suspended from the program and having any hours you already tutored revoked regardless of the number of sessions you attended.
Q: What is considered an excused and an unexcused absence?
Excused absences are tests, labs, emergencies, etc. Unexcused absences are things like missing the van, needing to study, etc. Any excused missing sessions should be accompanied with a proper note from your doctors, coaches, or professor.
Q: What if I cannot make orientation?
Please email Bearcatbuddies@uc.edu if you cannot make orientation. Make sure the subject line is a brief description of what your email entails. A virtual makeup option will be available 3-5 business days after the orientation.
Q: What if I am going to be late to orientation?
Please email Bearcatbuddies@uc.edu if you are going to be late to orientation. Make sure the subject line is a brief description of what your email entails. Also, please note that there is a virtual makeup option available 3-5 business days after the orientation.
Q: Where is orientation located and is it required?
It is required to complete training before starting your first day. The training you need is the orientation being offered in TUC from 4-7 pm. If you can’t make it, there will be a virtual makeup option available 3-5 business days after the in-person orientation.
Q: Where is on-campus pickup for orientation?
For transportation, the pickup location is where University Ct. and University Plaza meet.
Q: What does virtual orientation consist of?
The virtual orientation consists of watching a recording of the in-person training. Once the video is complete, you are required to answer a list of questions and email the answers to Bearcatbuddies@uc.edu.
Q: How often do I need to attend orientation?
All tutors must attend orientation once every year.
Q: How long does it take for the background check to be processed? How do I know I passed?
Background checks will be processed within a couple of days. If you do not hear anything from us, you can assume you are good to go.
Q: What address can I put on the background check?
You may use either your home address or the address where you are staying for school. The key requirement is that the address you provide is complete and accurate.
Q: Where do I turn in the background check at?
If you want to turn in a physical background check, you must complete it in pen, include a full address (address, city, and zip code), and include your social security number. If you do not have a social security number, you must include a copy of your passport photo and passport number along with the form.
Alternatively, you can scan it and send it to the Bearcat Buddies email address (Bearcatbuddies@uc.edu). Or you can upload it in the designated section of the orientation form. Please choose whichever method works best for you.
Q: How often do I have to complete a background check?
All tutors must complete a background check once every year.
Q: How will I know that a session has been cancelled?
You will receive an email from Bearcat Buddies stating that your session has been cancelled.
Q: Do I still receive credit for a cancelled session?
Yes. Everyone receives credit for a cancelled session.
Q: I have a question about Bearcat Buddies Employment (Federal Work Study)
Please refer to the Bearcat Buddies Employment FAQ page for all related questions.
Q: How do I know who my lead tutor is?
Not every session has a designated lead tutor. The best way to determine whether your session has one is to ask your group during your next meeting.
Q: What if I cannot make orientation?
Please email Bearcatbuddies@uc.edu if you cannot make orientation. Make sure the subject line is a brief description of what your email entails. A virtual makeup option will be available 3-5 business days after the orientation.
Q: What if I am going to be late to orientation?
Please email Bearcatbuddies@uc.edu if you are going to be late to orientation. Make sure the subject line is a brief description of what your email entails. Also, please note that there is a virtual makeup option available 3-5 business days after the orientation.
Q: Where is orientation located and is it required?
It is required to complete training before starting your first day. The training you need is the orientation being offered in TUC from 4-7 pm. If you can’t make it, there will be a virtual makeup option available 3-5 business days after the in-person orientation.
Q: Where is on-campus pickup for orientation?
For transportation, the pickup location is where University Ct. and University Plaza meet.
Q: What does virtual orientation consist of?
The virtual orientation consists of watching a recording of the in-person training. Once the video is complete, you are required to answer a list of questions and email the answers to Bearcatbuddies@uc.edu.
Q: How often do I need to attend orientation?
All tutors must attend orientation once every year.
Q: When and where do I pick up my t-shirt at?
You can obtain a t-shirt in various ways. The best way is to stop by the Bearcat Buddies headquarters located at 2639 Clifton Avenue, Stratford Heights Building 19, Cincinnati Ohio, 45211 during operating hours from Monday through Friday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Q: What do I wear to tutoring sessions?
All Bearcat Buddies must be in compliance with the Bearcat Buddies dress code. You must have your Bearcat Buddies T-Shirt and student ID to enter all school buildings to tutor for your session. This ensures you are easily identifiable to school leadership and students. It provides our program compliance with school security procedures. If you do not have your Bearcat Buddy T-Shirt, you may wear a solid red shirt or any UC branded clothing along with your ID. Failure to abide by these requirements could result in being denied access into the school for your tutoring session.
Q: Can I see my little buddy outside of the tutoring sessions?
No. Our partnership with our schools does not allow for engagement outside of school. Students interested in engaging with students outside of Bearcat Buddies should look on our volunteer portal for mentoring programs. Additional opportunities may be available by emailing Grad Cincinati @. The subject line “Mentor Interest.”
Q: How do I register for tutoring sessions?
To sign up for sessions, please visit the volunteer.uc.edu website and navigate to the Bearcat Buddies page. There, you will find all the necessary information and options to register for upcoming sessions.
Q: Are there any virtual tutoring sessions?
Unfortunately, we are not offering any virtual tutoring options internally at this time. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Q: How many tutoring sessions are there in a semester?
Most semesters will include at least 10 sessions, but holidays and other calendar irregularities may decrease the number of possible sessions.
Q: How many hours do I get for each tutoring session?
Tutors may receive 0.5-2 hours of off-campus community service credit for most tutoring sessions unless otherwise indicated
Q: How do I log my volunteer hours?
If you are in a session that has transportation, you must attend the session and mark your attendance. From there, our team will take care of recording your attendance and logging the hours on your behalf. Please allow 3-6 weeks for your volunteer hours to be added to your record.
If you are in a session that does not provide transportation, you should contact the school resource coordinator or tutor coordinator to approve your hours. If you drive yourself to a session that provides transportation, notify the lead tutor of your session to ensure your attendance is captured.
Q: How do I submit my volunteer hours for my scholarship?
Students with the Cincinnatus, Darwin T. Turner, UC Global, and Outreach scholarships will have their hours reported on their behalf. Students with other scholarships and course requirements should contact BearcatBuddies@uc.edu to make arrangements for any other reporting verification they may need.
Q: What is the tutor tracking system?
As noted in the volunteer agreement and expectations policy document, tutors may be asked to complete tutoring logs or other assessment tools. During face-to-face tutoring, paper tutoring logs are kept in some school for the benefit of the immediate school faculty, staff, and specialists. During virtual tutoring, please follow the protocols outlined by your school representative and Lead Tutor regarding tracking.
Q: What happens if I violate the Bearcat Buddies Volunteer Agreement?
Please note that should any of the items in the Bearcat Buddies Volunteer Agreement and Expectations policy document be violated, the CCE will not award community service hours. Appeals to the implementation of this policy will be considered on a case by case basis by the program support staff.
Tutoring sessions may be canceled due to road conditions. While we hope unforeseen cancellations are minimized, sessions may be canceled in the interest of safety for students who may still be expected to travel to and from school buildings. Please check local news sources for information regarding school closings and delays.
- If Cincinnati Public Schools are closed, tutoring will be canceled.
- If the University of Cincinnati is closed, tutoring will be canceled.
- If Cincinnati Public Schools are on a delay, tutoring will be canceled.
Q: Where is the pickup location?
The pickup location is on the backside of the Lindner College of Business, facing the campus greens on Campus Green Drive.
Q: What time does the van arrive at the pickup location?
The van will arrive at the pickup location approximately five minutes before the scheduled start time and will depart shortly thereafter. Additionally, please ensure that your session includes transportation; if it does not, the listed time is when you should sign in at the school.
Q: What time does the van leave the pickup location?
If transportation is provided to the school, the time listed is the time the van will leave for the school.
Q: When should I be at the pickup location?
Please plan on arriving five to ten minutes before the listed time to ensure you do not miss the van.
Q: What should I do if the van is late?
If your driver is more than 5 minutes late, you can call them directly. Van 1 phone number is 513-910-8541 and Van 2 phone number is 513-910-8284.