Help with Student Writing Center Awareness

["Adon Arnett" <arnett@faculty.suu.edu>]

Dear WCenter,

After meeting with my writing consultants last night, it was brought 
to my attention that a lot of the visitors are coming in either 1 day 
before the paper is due in class, or that day.  In fact, one consultant 
said that a student came in one half-hour before the paper was due, 
and ended up making the consultant feel bad for not providing 
"adequate" assistance.  The consultant told the student what I had 
proposed early on in the semester: letting students know that they 
need to visit the center at least two days before the assignment is 
due, so revision suggestions can be processed, and the steps can 
be worked through sufficiently.  This didn't have the effect I'd hoped, 
considering the student walked away grumbling that he would 
"never come back here again."  But I want students to come back.  
So, we discussed the issue some more, and the consultants 
proposed better signs regarding WC policies and procedures.  I 
already have a 81/2 X 11 page on the door explaining our WC's 
policies, procedures, and philosophy, but the type is about 14 pt 
and the consultants say nobody stops to read it.  One consultant 
even suggested putting a type of "stop" sign at the entrance of the 
Center as a way to deter those whose assignments are due that 
day.  Does anyone have suggestions regarding tactful and still 
friendly ways to go about creating awareness of these issues?  I 
don't want to scare anybody off, but I don't want them to confuse our 
overall intent, either.  I want the WC to be place students can visit in 
an effort to become better writers, not just A students on 1 
assignment.
Your suggestions would greatly be appreciated.
Adon Arnett
Southern Utah University