(Photographed by Staff Photographer Lilly Lafleur)
Arts & Entertainment Editor: Kamryn Kobel
Email: kkobel@umassd.edu
The Writing and Multiliteracy Center (WMC) is now open and ready for another great year!
The WMC offers help with writing, brainstorming, organization, presentations, and anything else you need help with concerning your writing skills.
Tutoring sessions at the WMC aren’t limited to essays for English and writing classes – the WMC’s tutors can help with papers from any class and major!
Check out our article on why you should visit.
But, with a new school year comes some changes to how the WMC runs. Here is a complete list of all the changes coming to the WMC you might need to know about.
The WMC now has updated hours and tutor availability. Previously, synchronous online tutoring services were available in the evenings after the center in LARTS room 221 closed. However, these after-hours online appointments are no longer available.
Synchronous online appointments are available Monday through Thursday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM on Fridays.
In addition to the updated weekly hours, the WMC will no longer offer weekend appointments. However, to combat the reduced online appointment availability, the WMC is offering a brand-new tutoring modality – a completely asynchronous one. Students now have the option to have a tutor read over and offer advice on a piece of writing without ever having to meet the tutor.
This asynchronous tutoring method works by sending your paper to WMC.Info@umassd.edu and filling out this form. The email must include the form, or the paper will not be received.
According to the form, “consultants will spend a maximum of one hour reviewing your work and they can typically read through 3-5 pages of text per hour. Consultants prefer Word Doc attachments, as PDFs need to be converted and it takes away time that they could be using to provide feedback.”
Once the paper and the form have been sent, your tutor/consultant will return the paper to you with any comments they have made via email.
It is important to note that the WMC is not an editing service – they won’t send you back a paper that has been edited to perfection – the tutors are there to help you develop your ideas and organize your thoughts.
The tutors will not edit your document in any way, as that is plagiarism, and submitting any writing that has been plagiarized will get you in a lot of trouble. Instead, your paper will come back with valuable insight and perspectives on your writing that will help you communicate what you want to say.
This asynchronous option is excellent for students who want a second pair of eyes on their paper but don’t have the time or ability to meet with a tutor in real-time.
You can make an account and schedule appointments online or visit the center Monday through Thursday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM on Fridays.
If you have any questions, you can email WMC.Info@umassd.edu.
The director of the WMC is Professor Elisabeth Buck, and the assistant director is Professor Josh Botvin.
Information on the directors and each tutor can be found here, and any frequently asked questions are answered on this page. Their mission and policies can be found here.
The WMC encourages students from all majors and writing capabilities to stop by, meet the tutors, and talk about writing!