Faculty Tips from the Writing Center
Students should be encouraged to seek help from the Writing Center at any stage in the writing process: gathering ideas, choosing a topic, locating sources, revising a draft, or final proofreading. Students anticipating the need for several appointments during the production of a paper should be encouraged to start early.
The Writing Center shares space with the Academic Development Center in McKillop Library. When the Center is open, Writing Assistants are available for immediate help, and by appointment.
Professors are encouraged to notify the Center of individual referrals. To ensure a productive conference, the Center requests advance notice (2-3 days) of whole class assignments that require work with the Center, as well as a copy of the writing assignment description.
Peer Writing Assistants provide help to student writers at any stage in the development of a paper. Student writers do their own composing and they are responsible for the accuracy and quality of the finished product, including accuracy of information and final proofreading.
When evaluating the written work of students who have been to the Center, faculty are advised to review prior drafts and comment sheets, as well as the final paper, and to bear in mind that student improvement, no matter how gradual and uneven, deserves recognition.
Faculty are invited to stop by the Center to discuss student writing. Questions and suggestions are welcomed, and problems that are brought to our attention will receive prompt response. Staff training is ongoing, and faculty requests will be included whenever possible.
If you request or require an entire class to seek assistance at the Writing Center, we encourage you to notify the center. To ensure productive conferences, the center requests advance notice (2-3 days) of whole class assignments that require work with the Center, as well as a copy of the writing assignment itself.