When people used to think about going to the Writing Center for help, they immediately ruled out because getting an appointment was like trying to get tickets to a Madonna concert 5 days after they are sold out.
There were just too many freshman crowding the office in an attempt to fulfill their CNW requirements.
As of this semester, however, the CNW conference component has been reduced from three to two appointments. This has resulted in more openings and flexibility in scheduling Writing Center appointments, which should serve as encouragement for upperclassmen to utilize the facility.
The Writing Center, while geared towards the entire college community, has been primarily used by freshmen attempting to complete their CNW course requirements. Now, with the reduced CNW conference requirement, the Writing Center staff hopes to attract more upperclassmen as well as faculty and staff members.
The Writing Center instructors, including Geraldine Fisher, Gail Tubbsand John Kluttz, are encouraging not only freshmen with CNW papers, but also upperclassmen with writing projects and seniors with theses and graduate school application essays to use the Center.
"What deters some of [the upperclassmen] is the widespread concept that there's no time available. There is this perception that we're absolutely booked up [because] of the growth of the freshman class," said Fisher. "We want to serve the student population, and the student population isn't just freshmen. We want to be available to everyone, including upperclassmen, faculty and staff."
Kluttz agreed, "I think there will always be a logistical concern in dealing with the entire freshman class. There are going to be times when we are busy, but we're also going to be more flexible."
He continued, "What we always say is that we envision the Writing Center as a place for students to come not only to get support and encouragement, but also to be in a community of people who share the same interest. This community should be available to students throughout their college career, not just in the beginning."
The hope of attracting more people to the Writing Center, for reasons other than to fill an academic requirement, was addressed years ago and finally settled this year.
"We originally went to Academic Resources and reported to Dean Scholz several years ago that the use of the Writing Center should be reviewed," said Fisher. "Although there is a good rationale for having three appointments, the number of freshmen made that impractical."
The situation was then referred to the Academic Resources Committee (ARC) and then the Curriculum Committee. This then led to a faculty vote because all changes in the graduating requirement are voted for or against by the faculty.
The Writing Center instructors ultimately hope that the change in the CNW writing requirement from three appointments to two appointments will encourage people to realize that the Writing Center not only welcomes all students and faculty members but also will be more flexible in its appointment availability.
"We're in the process of advertising too, [of] letting people know that we're very able to schedule sophomores, juniors, and seniors," said Kluttz.
Tubbs added, "The freshmen can schedule more than two appointments; [however], this becomes a choice. [The change in requirement] opens the door for more equal balance between the people fulfilling requirements and those seeking [writing conferences] of their own volition."
For more convenience in making appointments, students can schedule through the Academic Resources secretary, Caryn Lazzuri.
Also, more peer tutors have been added to increase the number of appointments that are available.
Writing Center peer tutor Maliha Hashmi said, "I think it is great that the requirements for the Writing Center were reduced from three to two because now students who really like to go there get more chances to get an appointment. The Writing Center is a great place to work, not only because is it interesting [to see] other people's writing, but it is really enriching as well."
Peer tutor John Killeen views The Writing Center as a place that empowers students to think freely.
Said Killeen, "The Writing Center is the only place on campus that is aimed at students' power as intellectuals; that is why I work there. Whereas most classes and the curriculum within them perpetuate the fallacy that [the] professors' own knowledge [is the only resource to be tapped into], the Writing Center reminds students that [student knowledge and intelligence] is their's for the taking."
Killeen continued, "[The change from three to two appointments for CNW students] is good because doing anything under compulsory terms is bad and is not at all encouraging for students who are trying to fulfill thousands of obligations as it is."
Though drop-in conferences may be possible because of the increased number of peer tutors, students are still advised to secure the time they want by making an appointment.
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