New programs improve Writing Center

By Mary Hunter
Staff Writer

January 26, 2012

Photo by Kelly Mayo

Writing Center tutor Dean Stephens gives senior Noah Clark writing tips. The Writing Center offers night tutoring in the library three days a week.

Most students have either visited or heard of the University's Writing Center, directed by Professor Teagan Decker.

The Writing Center is located in the Dial Humanities building and run by students that help tutor other students in all aspects of writing: grammar, research formatting and overall structure.

Dr. Decker said that the center tries to "work with all UNCP students with any type of writing that they are doing at all levels and our belief is that all our students can improve their writing."

What most students probably don't know is how dedicated the professors and tutors in the Writing Center are.

This year Dr. Decer has implemented new programs to further focus on improving the writing and tutoring processes for students.

One new aspect is night tutoring in the Mary Livemore Library from 7-10 p.m. on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

Dr. Decker said that it's becoming more popular than tutoring during regular hours for students that work or go to class during the day.

There's also a new graduate writing tutor located in the Oxendine Science Building who, she said, has been hired in an "effort to support science writing."

The new addition is said to be popular, with specialized tutoring being a facet that has been lacking in the University's Writing Center in the past.

Professor Decker has set out to make the Writing Center more accessible to students around campus.

She said that student tutors are currently going through training, letting them "focus on a certain area or department and helping them to learn as much as they can from professors training with the staff," to help them become more specialized.

It's a program Dr. Decker and her team developed and are presenting at the Southeastern Writing Centers Association Conference later this semester in Kentucky.

Dr. Decker said all of the new features have been added in an attempt to improve the tutoring experience.

Students interested in getting help from the Writing Center you can stop by or make appointments at any time on Monday-Thusday 9am to 4pm and Friday 9am to 2pm.

The science tutor in Oxendine is available Tuesday and Thursday from 8am to 9:30am and Friday from 10am to 5pm.