Faculty Information
What is the purpose of the Writing Center?
The Writing Center is here to support your efforts to improve the quality of students’ writing. We do not write papers for students, nor do we merely proofread, edit, or correct papers. We are here to teach, not merely "clean up." Our tutors are graduate students or instructors in the English Department and are trained in proper tutorial practices. You can expect a professional approach to teaching writing from them.
How can the Writing Center help the students in my class?
There are a variety of ways faculty can make use of Writing Center services:
- Let students know about the Writing Center by including information on your syllabus.
- Make an announcement about the Writing Center at the beginning of the semester.
- Refer students to this web page, or establish a link to it from your web page.
- Refer students to us at any time, both informally or formally:
You may wish to SUGGEST or ENCOURAGE a student to come to work with our tutors. You may wish to REQUIRE that a student come by--at any time during the semester. For example, you may want a student to show that he or she worked with our tutors on a paper you have assigned. We provide a "proof of attendance" form if a student requests it.
PLEASE keep in mind that because of the volume of students we serve, we are unable to help students effectively when an entire class is required to come in. If you’re thinking about having some of the students in your class come to the Center as a requirement, please call the Writing Center director first (974-2611) to make arrangements.
It is always helpful for us to have a written description of the writing assignments your students are working on . Send one with the student, or mail it to the director (301 McClung Tower).
Is the Writing Center only for "bad" writers?
Many people mistakenly think of the Writing Center as a remedial service. While we certainly can and do help writers who have demonstrated some kind of writing "problem," we work with ALL writers at all levels of ability and training, including undergraduate and graduate students. As all faculty know from their own experience, even experienced writers benefit from the opportunity to engage in conversation and receive feedback about their writing.
What is the IW grade, and what is the procedure for giving it?
The Undergraduate Catalog includes the following passage about the "IW" grade:
If a student cannot fulfill the requirements for a course because of an inability to communicate in writing, the instructor will give an "IW" to designate "Incomplete due to writing." Student work requiring revision shall be sent to the Writing Center Director. Any student who receives an "IW" should contact the Writing Center Director for instruction. The Writing Center will determine the appropriate requirement for remediation. Upon the Writing Center Director’s recommendation, it will be returned to the instructor who will change the student’s grade accordingly. As with other incompletes, the student will have one calendar year to make up the deficiency before the grade automatically changes to reflect failure for the course.
Should you determine that a student in your course has demonstrated sufficient mastery of course material but demonstrates insufficient written communication skills, the IW may be an option.
What is the IW Referral Form and how can I get a copy to refer a student?
Any time you assign the IW grade, you should send us an IW Referral Form. This form includes instructions and the information we need from you about the student and the terms of the IW.
Print the form, fill it out, and send it to the Writing Center (mailing address: 301 McClung Tower). Give a copy to the student, and keep one for your records. First-year composition teachers should also attach a copy of this form to their grade sheets for each student with an IW grade.