RE: slow days

["Hatton-Montoya, Sharon" <hatton@uscolo.edu>]

Katie, Do you have support from the instructors at your institution?  I have 
found that our clients come to us the first time from either a "satisfied 
customer," someone who uses our services regularly, or from a recommendation 
(generally a verbal announcement in class) from their instructor.  I try to 
keep open lines of communication with the faculty and listen to their needs 
and concerns.  When I first started in this position, I found that many 
instructors had misconceptions about the purpose of the writing center. 
 Either they thought a paper should be perfect when the student had brought 
it to the writing center, or they were afraid that we were going to 
basically write the paper for the students.  I sought these instructors out 
and we discussed their concerns and I explained our philosophy.  I now find 
that many of these professors are our biggest supporters as far as telling 
their classes about our services.
When I ask our clients where they heard about our services, very few have 
ever said from flyers or other forms of advertisment.  The number one 
response is from a friend or from an instructor.
I hope my rambling makes some sort of sense and helps a little.
Sharon Hatton-Montoya
 ----------
From: owner-wcenter
To: wcenter
Subject: slow days
Date: Wednesday, June 10, 1998 9:35AM

Hello centipedes--

Unfortunately, I have just a little *too* much time these days to wordplay: 
I
have marketed, I have e-mailed, I've hung out in the union and directed
students looking for other places to the Writing Center (desperate 
measures).
My tutors are sitting around eating bagels and reading books; they'll dust 
if
I ask nicely.  I say, "Tutor amongst yourselves."  They give me funny looks. 


Aside from e-mailing and sending letters/flyers to instructors, giving
introductory WC presentations when invited into classrooms, putting a poster
up in the lobby of our building, does anyone have any ideas about getting
students into the WC for tutoring?  I asked my own supervisor yesterday if I
should be "concerned" about our low numbers, and he said yes, I should be.

I'd put a coupon in the student newspaper for an hour of free tutoring, but
it's already free!

I look forward to hearing about any and all marketing techniques--

Thanks,
Kate

_________________________________________________________________________
Kate Mohler                                  phone: (602) 965-4272
Writing Center Supervisor                    fax: (602) 965-6475
Arizona State University                     e-mail: kate.mohler@asu.edu
Division of Undergraduate Academic Services
P.O. Box 873801
Tempe, AZ 85287-3801
_________________________________________________________________________