Week 2 Posting - Randazzo - UI WC and Bedford Guide Questions / Thoughts

Hello, everyone! I hope you all had a lovely Labor Day weekend. Today is my first day on the job for the WC, and I am super excited! However, like Rachel, I seem to have misplaced my syllabus. Still, my gushing aside, Here are my thoughts on both readings:


  1. Within The Bedford Guide to Writing Tutors, I did, in fact, find much of the advice to be helpful. However, I would also like to echo Kyle's question about laptop usage as a tutor. I tend to do my work digitally, and it is also far easier to edit things in terms of writing things and moving around paragraphs if need be. Meanwhile, one thing that struck me is the fact that try as a student may, we may not give them grade appraisals. Seconding Rachel, I was greatly surprised by the kind of detachment they seem to laud for "professionalism," when the process of tutoring, as they rightfully point out in the "many hats" section, contains so much personal interaction. When in my experience at The College of Wooster, students became very close to the tutors, and the tutors would even bake weekly treats for visiting students, and regulars as well, and it was still just as professional. Can we make the Writing Center feel more homey than what they're describing here?
  2. Within the UI WC Guide, I would also like to second the question about student tutors - it would greatly reduce the workload on us, and also, more could be assisted. Is there a way to increase our reach in that regard? Also, I would like to ask: Since there is such a high demand for our services, would it be appropriate to increase our Online Feedback presence? It would likely be able to push more students through our pipeline, which could be essential in busier times of the semester. In terms of the WC itself, while it is quite cozy, I would be thrilled if we added more comfy chairs; I know students tend to relax when a room feels homier. Is there any way we can make that happen?

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