Announcements
1. Graduate Writing Center Tutoring Peer consultations in the Graduate Writing Center begin for Fall 2008 semester on Monday, Aug. 25, in 111-L Kern Bldg.
2. Undergraduate Writing Center Tutoring The peer tutoring of writing begins in 220 Boucke Bldg. for the Fall 2008 semester on Tuesday, Sept. 2. Late-night tutoring in 113 Pattee Library begins Sunday, Sept. 7.
3. ESL Specialists Fall 2008 semester, a limited number of free, weekly, non-credit, hour-long tutorials are available in the Undergraduate Writing Center with tutors who specialize in teaching second-language writing. Contact Jon Olson by Sept. 5 for more information.
Endorsement from the Provost:
"Integrating writing into classrooms across the curriculum is important to Penn State’s mission of improving 'the lives of the people of Pennsylvania, the nation, and the world through integrated, high-quality programs in teaching . . . . informed by scholarship and research.' The Center for Excellence in Writing, together with the Human Resource Development Center, offers seminars to help faculty understand the scholarship and practice of writing-intensive teaching across the disciplines. I urge departments to support interested faculty in attending these programs." Rodney A. Erickson, Executive Vice President and Provost, May 21, 2008
Of Historical Interest
1. Conference The CEW hosted the 2007 National Conference on Peer Tutoring in Writing at University Park October 19-21 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of peer tutoring in writing at Penn State's UP campus. Flyer.
2. Oral History See an oral-history interview of Ron Maxwell on the right side bar of this Web page. Maxwell brought peer tutoring in writing to Penn State in 1982 and directed the Writing Center from 1987 to 1997.
3. Maxwell Leadership Award Also on the right side bar of this Web page, see podcast presentations of the NCPTW Ron Maxwell Award for Distinguished Leadership in Promoting the Collaborative Learning Practices of Peer Tutors in Writing. A plaque and cash prize are funded by Ron and Mary Maxwell.
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Undergraduate Writing Center (UWC) 814-863-3240
Undergraduate peer tutors discuss writing with students on campus during drop-in hours or by appointment either face-to-face (locations and hours) or electronically, conduct class visits or writing workshops, link to specific classes upon request, workshop writing in a Writing Circle for creative writers, and host open mic nights for all writers. The UWC works closely with the University Learning Centers. Visit the UWC with this two-minute informational video.
Graduate teaching assistants and lecturers conduct one-credit tutorials with students registered for English 005.
Students applying for fellowships, graduate school, or jobs may schedule an appointment to meet with a tutor who has special training in the writing of personal-statement essays by writing to l-personalstatements.
The UWC's tutors also perform public scholarship through the Public Writing Initiative (see below) and through the Mid-State Literacy Council's Annual Corporate Spelling Bee. A designated tutor each year is the Green Coordinator who helps the UWC behave according to ecological ethics.
Graduate Writing Center (GWC) 814-865-8021
Graduate peer consultants work one-to-one by appointment with graduate students of all disciplines on their writing and also conduct writing workshops every semester.
Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) 814-863-9243
Faculty peer consultants offer one-to-one consultations, group discussions, workshops, and seminars for faculty across the disciplines who teach writing-intensive "W" courses or who integrate writing into regular classes to help students learn course content.
Public Writing Initiative (PWI) Pilot 814-865-6383
Professional writing classes (ENGL 202), with assistance from UWC writing fellows, complete commissioned assignments of public scholarship and civic engagement.
An international newsletter by and for peer tutors in writing, produced in association with the National Conference on Peer Tutoring in Writing, published by an editorial board of the CEW's undergraduate peer tutors.
