Instructors & the Writing Center
Incorporating the Writing Center into Your Class
Class Visits
In a class visit, one of our tutors will come to your class (in person or online) to explain what services the writing center offers. They will also demonstrate how to schedule and prepare for an appointment. This presentation typically lasts ~10 minutes and can happen at the beginning or end of a class period. To schedule a class visit, contact us at writingcenter@usu.edu.
Require an Appointment
Students who are required to visit the writing center for a class are more likely to return for future help. Because of this, we encourage you to require your students to complete a writing center visit. We offer a variety of online and in-person appointments. At the end of each month, we send you a report of which students have visited the Writing Center and what they worked on.
Offer Extra Credit
Give your students the opportunity to build on their writing skills while earning a bit of extra credit. We offer a variety of online and in-person appointments. At the end of each month, we send you a report of which students have visited the Writing Center and what they worked on.
Instructor Resources
Faculty Interactions in the Writing Center
USU faculty and staff are welcome and encouraged to drop in at the Writing Center any time. We consider them an essential component of the writing center environment. Our tutors are thrilled when professors come in to say hello because it shows that they respect our purpose and acknowledge our value to campus and community.
To maintain our welcoming, professional atmosphere and promote our academic credibility, the Writing Center asks that faculty and staff honor the requests in our WC Expectations for Faculty document.
Instructor Referrals to the Writing Center
Instructors can refer individual students to the Writing Center to get help with their writing. These referrals can be for a one-time visit, semester-long visits, or anything in between. To refer a student to the Writing Center, simply print the referral form, and fill it out. The student is then in charge of following the directions on the form and scheduling the necessary Writing Center appointment(s).
Tips / Helpful Links
Assessing Student Appointments
Students receive a detailed appointment summary form from their tutor after every Writing Center appointment. These forms are great snapshots of what students discuss in their appointments.
Instructors also have the option to request Writing Center stats and report forms for their classes.
Using Canvas for Reporting
The easiest way for students to submit proof of a Writing Center visit is to take a screenshot of their appointment summary form and submit it on Canvas.
Cross Curriculum Faculty
If you would like to list the Writing Center in the syllabus or require students to come to the Writing Center, please contact the acting Director Susan Andersen at susan.andersen@usu.edu for details and to make arrangements.