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Re: Writing Center Research
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> Date: Wed, 7 Feb 1996 11:58:45 -0600
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> Subject: Re: Writing Center Research
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> >Date: Fri, 2 Feb 1996 17:04:08 -0600
> >Reply-to: wcenter@unicorn.acs.ttu.edu
> >From: CAMILLE LANGSTON <g_langston@VENUS.TWU.EDU>
> >To: Multiple recipients of list <wcenter@unicorn.acs.ttu.edu>
> >Subject: Writing Center Research
> >
> >Hello Everyone!
> >
> >I have a bit of a favor to ask. In hope of expanding our writing center, I am
> >participating in a research project which will compare Texas Woman's
> >University's Writing Lab to the writing centers of other campuses. In hopes of
> >gathering cutting-edge data from the writing center pros, I have attached an
> >interview, which I hope you will take the time to complete and return to me.
> >If you are interested in the outcome of collected data, let me know, and I'll
> >share.
> >
> >Thanks,
> >Camille Langston
> >TWU Writing Lab Coordinating Assistant
> >g_langston@venus.twu.edu
> >_______________________________________________________________________________
> >
> >Name of university: Indiana State University
> >Approximate # of university students: 11,500
>
>
> >Name of writing center:
>
> Indiana State University Writing Center
>
> >Name and title of writing center director:
>
> Peter Carino, Professor of English, Director of the Writing Center
(1/2 time: teaching two courses, 1/4 time research and service, 1/4
time: writing center >
> >How is your writing center funded?
>
> Through the English Department mostly. We also use some Student
Support Services funding to hire undergrad tutors.
>
>Who staffs your writing center? How many staff people?
>
> One Secretary, 1/2 time to WC, also serves as our receptionist; a
writing specialist, full-time non tenure-track position who teaches 3
courses and does some tutoring; Grad assistant tutors, 6-12 depending
on the need for them to staff classrooms (a bad situation having
staffing connected this way to course staffing needs, though usually
we have sufficient GA staff, on the average 10 a semester) 6-8
undergrad tutors, half paid by English, half by SSS.
> >Do you have a workshop/seminar/class to train your tutors? What does it
> >involve?
>
> We do not have a for credit course, though I am planning one. We
do have weekly one-hour training sessions, that entail some basic
readings, some grammar review, sessions on tutoring ESL students and
students in the disciplines, some reflective writing on tutoring,
mock tutorials, and analyses of taped tutorials. Tutors attend these
sessions concurrently with working their first semester in the WC.
> >Is your writing center operated through the English dept.?
>
> Yes
>
> >What are your writing center operating hours?
>
> M-F, 8:15 - 4:00
> >How many students use your writing center per semester?
>
> approximately 500-700 for about 2,000 tutorials
>
> >Do you use computer-assisted instruction in your writing center? How?
>
> We do not have specific programs other than word processing (word
perfect). Tutors often sit at the computer with tutees. Anyone can
walk in just to use computers, and once they do they often ask for
tutorial assistance.
> >How many computers are in your writing center? What types of hardware and
> >software do you use?
>
> 19 unisys, networked to the university server; however, they are 5
years old and do not run all the programs available. We are scheduled
to get new ones next year. Students can access a grammar/style
checker and can also get into the library from these computers.
>
> >Do you have a grammar hotline?
>
> No
>
> >Do you have an OWL or any other electronic services?
>
> No
>
> >What major changes have occurred in your writing center during the past 5
> >years?
>
> Expanded tutorial staff, some tutoring in classrooms, more WAC
outreach resulting in a change in clientele. Five years ago we
probably tutored 75% freshman comp students; now it's about 50-50.
Addition of a textbook library, and have conducted sessions with
faculty to show the services of the Center (tutorial presentations
and scenarios).
> >Have I forgot anything?
>
> Ask about connections to WAC. This is an important issue for
Centers. As WC director, I am often called upon to do WAC efforts
(e.g. working with faculty) even though we do not have an
institutionalized WAC program. It is supposed to be part of Gen. Ed.
but is one of those programs mostly on paper. However, interested
faculty and depts. call upon me to help them out.
> >If you have any brochures or other information pertaining to your writing
> >center (policies, etc.), I would love to see them. You can snail mail them to:
> >Camille Langston, Texas Woman's University, Dept. Freshman English, PO Box
> >23972, Denton, TX 76204-1972
>
> >Thanks for your help!
>
> Your welcome, and good luck with your work.
Pete Carino
Pete Carino
Department of English
Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN 47809
ejcarino@root.indstate.edu