Re: What's in a name?

["Dr. Patricia N. McLaughlin" <3yunsan@cmuvm.csv.cmich.edu>]

Roberta,

The staff at the CMU Writing Center have been engaged in intensive dialogue
about this very issue.  We debated vociferously about what to call
ourselves:  mentor, fellow, associate, helper, consultant, peer tutor,
nurturer, coach, friend, writer, editor.  After a three-week debate, we
finally decided to call ourselves writing consultants.  Defining who we are
will help us to define what we are (although this process of definition is,
of course, reflexive).  Our current name is in keeping with tradition here
at Central Michigan University.  The Writing Center was established by John
Dinan 17 years ago, and I simply added the CMU when I became responsible for
creating a full-service, campuswide operation last semester.  I am looking
forward to continued debate about what exactly we do here as writing
consultants.  I'll keep you posted.


At 02:17 PM 1/22/97 -0600, you wrote:
>
>I'm welcoming myself back to the list by asking for your collective
>wisdom on a name for our "outfit."  For years, we have been called the
>Writing Center, but we find that name seems to be associated with a
>location rather than with a program that encompasses not only the Center
>but also writing in gen. ed. courses, writing in the disciplines, and
>writing fellows.  We've tried calling ourselves the University Writing
>Program, but our Provost objects to the implication that we own all
>writing being done in the University.  Any suggestions out there?  What
>do you all call yourselves?
>
>Roberta Buck
>The Writing Whatsit? Dealie? Thingummy?
>Western Washington University
>Bellingham, WA 98225
>