UM-Flint's Marian E. Wright Writing Center Moves to Thompson Library

UM-Flint's Marian E. Wright Writing Center has moved from its longtime location on the fifth floor of French Hall to new space on the third floor of the Frances Willson Thompson Library.

The center is located on the west side of the third floor, behind the reference section. According to Dave Larsen, interim writing center director, several writing groups at a time can be accommodated in the south side of the center. That part of the space is for discussion and groups, sitting and reading, or just socializing. On the north side of the center, eight computer stations are set up where student clients can work on their writing. The center also has ten carrels (study booths) for individual study or one-on-one tutoring. Two conference rooms can accommodate students for private group work and staff meetings.

Two class/workshops are conducted in the center, ENG 109 and ENG 110. Students can make appointments in advance on the writing center's website, and tutors will help them with any part of the process in completing their writing or speaking projects. Larsen pointed out that the tutors will discuss thesis ideas, developing ideas, organizing ideas; they'll give feedback on introductions and conclusions, mechanics or documentation; they'll even help students with brainstorming and just getting started.

"We have a staff of thirteen tutors, both undergraduate and graduate students from a variety of disciplines—not just English. All of our student tutors complete a course (ENG 363) where they discuss writing center theory and practice, so all of our tutors are well-prepared to help our student writers," Larsen said.

Senior tutors, like Scott Russell and Larsen, are also available to make classroom visits for faculty and introduce the writing center to help demystify the work they do.

"Though we won't teach writing to their classes, we offer our support to faculty efforts to include writing in their curriculum," said Larsen.