Re: Extra-curricular consulting

[KimLit@aol.com]

In a message dated 9/3/98 9:35:44 AM EST, ledwards@cu-portland.edu writes:

<< 1.  Peer tutors out there who are on this list:  How much "extra-curricular
 consulting" (as described above) do you do?  Do you have trouble saying "no"
 when you're really busy with your own work?  Do you do anything to encourage
 people to use your campus writing center instead?
  >>

Hi Lynn,

At CSU, Chico's Writing Center we have been discouraged from this practice for
exactly the reasons you indicated in your message.  It is very difficult to
say "no" to a student who wants extra time with you;  but if the "policy" of
the Writing Center is for writing assistants to avoid all this extra time, it
makes it easier to say no.  The tutor can politely respond to a request and
put the blame on the policy of the center.  As the grad mentor for the new
tutors, I know that sometimes the extra meetings occasionally take place, but
it is not the norm.  When tutoring does take place outside of the center, it
is usually because we are booked (which is most of the time) and the tutor
feels bad for the student.

Kim Penning
CSUC