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University Writing Center Supports Writers Remotely During COVID-19

April 28, 2020

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MACOMB, IL - After a successful fall semester trial, in January the Western Illinois University Writing Center (UWC) added asynchronous (e-tutoring) appointments to complement its face-to-face and online (real-time) appointment options. Little did they know how crucial those alternative options would be in the coming weeks.

"The week before spring break, I met with some of my staff and discussed what we would need to do to keep the UWC open as the situation with COVID-19 evolved," said English Professor Amy Patrick Mossman, director of the UWC. "We discussed everything from cleaning protocols to moving our services completely online. I set up post-break training for any student staff who hadn't been through the e-tutoring and online training so everyone would be prepared."

While classes were canceled the week after spring break, the UWC was serving students virtually.

"I was surprised at the number of appointments we had that week," Mossman said. "I think several students used the time as a way to get caught up on writing projects that would soon be due."

In response to COVID-19 changes, the center, which is run through the WU Department of English, has moved all staff from its Macomb locations and Quad Cities U.S. Bank Writing Center to the online and e-tutoring schedule. Services have been expended to seven days a week, 14-15 hours a day.

"Our student staff adapted really well to the changes, and several were willing to modify their schedules to help us cover more hours," she said. "I'm very proud of our students."

Additionally, the center trained graduate students on assistantship who had been displaced by the remote work orders, so they could be reassigned in the UWC. Mossman worked with Justin Schuch, executive director of Retention Initiatives, as part of a larger reassignment effort on campus to keep student workers employed and working. Through funding provided by a donation from U.S. Bank, the center was also able to support additional hours for some students as part of its online services expansion.

How are students adapting to online writing support? One writing consultant, English graduate student Maureen Sullivan, said, "I've had a few online appointments with students who had been to the writing center in Malpass Library, but never used the online options, and they seemed excited to know about those options and happy to be able to work with someone on their papers."

Yin Thi Thi Oo, a nursing major who uses the center, has had appointments in all three formats this year.

"When I had a question, they replied immediately to my message and helped me," she said.

While she has primarily used e-tutoring lately, she noted, "I had an online appointment with video call and I really liked it because it is like real-life where I can ask questions."

History major Joshlyn Lomax has continued to take advantage of the center's support services since everything moved online.

"I love the writing center because it has aided me in becoming a better writer," she said. "In each appointment, the grammatical errors in my paper were not just fixed for me, but I was given an explanation on why the error I had made was wrong. Each time I write an essay, I remember the advice I was given so I do not make the same mistake twice."

Since spring break, the University Writing Center has had over 200 appointments on various writing projects, from scholarship essays to research papers and graduate theses. They have also addressed many quick questions through their Grammar Hotline, Facebook Messaging and scheduling online message center.

While face-to-face appointments are temporarily suspended, the UWC offers free, online (real-time) and e-tutoring (asynchronous "drop off") appointments on any writing project at any stage in the writing process. Spring semester expanded hours are Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.–10 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m.–10 p.m. through May 8. Students, alumni, employees and community members can self-schedule appointments for between 30 minutes and two hours at wiu.mywconline.com. Summer hours, May 18-July 23, will be Monday - Thursday afternoons. Written and video instructions for how to make appointments are available on the website.

For more information, visit wiu.edu/uwc.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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