by Amanda Brosnan, Writing Consultant
BACKGROUND & MISSION
Colgate's total enrollment is 2,922 students. It was founded in 1819. They offer 55 majors within five divisions.
The page about mission and policies for Colgate’s Writing and Speaking Center states:
“The center aims to build confident and accomplished writers by helping students develop strong cognitive and accomplished writers by helping students develop strong cognitive and composing skills. . . .The primary objective of any session is that the writer, not necessarily the text, will be changed. . . . We do not write or edit any portion of a student’s paper, as this threatens the student’s ownership of the text under discussion. Sessions are confidential except in cases where the director deems it necessary to discuss the student’s work with a professor or an academic dean, or in cases where the student has given express permission for such discussion to occur.”
STAFF
The Center employed 26 writing consultants for the 2017-2018 school year. These consultants varied in year, major, and outside interests. Unlike Richmond’s Writing Center Website, on Colgate’s Writing and Speaking Center website, there are profiles of each consultant depicting this information.
APPLICATION PROCESS
To become a writing consultant at Colgate, a student is typically nominated to apply by a faculty member. Consultants “receive ongoing training and have been selected not only for their skills, but also for their genuine interest in others’ ideas, voices, and writing development."
In their application, students must include a sample of their writing, a statement of interest, a résumé, and the name of one member of the Colgate faculty for a reference.
Although many consultants are nominated, all continuing students who are interested are encouraged to apply, including rising sophomores.
On the application, it states that students should have:
· “Motivation to help peers with their writing.
· Interest in writing, language, and the teaching of writing.
· Knowledge of, and ability to teach, academic writing conventions.
· Evidence of strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
· 3.0 minimum GPA, including B or above in at least one course requiring 8+ pages of writing.
· Presence on campus in Fall 2019 and willingness to prioritize work for the center in your schedule. All new peer consultants must be able to work a minimum of 6 hours per week and attend New Staff Trainings every other Friday throughout the fall semester.”
In addition, peer consultants must be able to work at least one evening shift and can work a maximum of 12 hours per week. After completing the application, there are interviews that occur about one month after the application is due. The hiring decisions are made the week before exams begin in May.
LOCATION
The Center is located in Lathrop Hall, which houses the English, Writing and Rhetoric, and Core Program departments. Lathrop Hall is conveniently situated in the academic quad and the Center is located on the first floor. The Writing and Speaking Center is run by Professor J. Lutman, who works in the department of Writing and Rhetoric at Colgate University.
HOW IT WORKS
At the Writing and Speaking Center, students may walk-in without an appointment, but it is recommended that they make one beforehand. Writing appointments, speaking appointments, and ESL/EFL appointments can all be made through the Center's main page. In order to view the exact form, one must have a Colgate University ID and password.
The hours are: Monday-Thursday 10:15 am-10:00 pm, Friday 10:15 am-3:00 pm, and Sunday 2:15 pm-10:00 pm. All writing appointments begin 15 minutes after the hour, and there is a waiting list for when all of the times are full.
If a professor requires a student to visit the Writing and Speaking Center, then he/she will need to fill out a referral form and give it to the student to bring to the session. The consultant will initial the form and give it back to the student, and the session will remain confidential.
POLICIES
Students are allowed to schedule two 45-minute appointments per week, but they cannot be on the same day. Additional walk-ins are permitted during the week, but not on the same day as another appointment whether it is scheduled or not.
Students should call the Writing and Speaking Center if they are going to be a few minutes late to an appointment. Otherwise, if they are more than 10 minutes late, their appointment will be given to another student. If a student is a “no-show” to an appointment twice in one semester, appointment-making privileges will be suspended until the end of the semester. Additionally, students must not bring their papers in for a quick check immediately before a deadline; they must give a sufficient amount of time before the due date.
All consultations are completely confidential. This is stated in the Writing and Speaking Center’s mission. This is unlike the Writing Center at the University of Richmond where each consultant is required to summarize each consultation and send a copy of their notes to the Writing Center director as well as the student’s professor.
SPECIAL EVENTS
The Writing and Speech Center offers a series of workshops led by peer consultants and faculty for first-year students. Last year's events are listed in an online brochure. There are four workshops which were offered in the fall and run from 7:00-8:30. They provide light desserts at each workshop.
In addition, they also hold a Global English Conversation Circle for all years, in collaboration with the Office of International Student Services. This event is weekly, and encourages students, faculty, and staff to “engage in cultural exchange and to create an intentional space for English from across the globe. It is held every Tuesday from 11:30-1:00, and free lunch tickets are provided in advance to those who do not have a meal plan. Finally, professors can request a consultant to come to their class and describe what the Center does and the services that it offers.
CURRICULUM: FIRST-YEAR SEMINAR PROGRAM
The first semester of their freshman year, Colgate University students are required to take a first-year seminar. These courses are offered in a variety of topics but each “emphasizes the nature of the learning process, the exploration of individual needs and strengths, learning from classmates, and learning from the multiplicity of resources beyond the classroom.”
Each first-year seminar is equal to one full course unit, but unlike UR there is a clear link to advising: each class goes through orientation together and the professor of each first-year seminar course serves as each student’s academic advisor until they declare their major during their sophomore year Spring. More information about registration and graduation requirements appears here.
All students are required to take a course designed "WRIT" beyond the FY Seminar. Some students with lower AP or SAT scores are given "writing priority status are required to complete an approved writing and rhetoric (WRIT) course with a grade of C or better during the first year."
OTHER SERVICES
The Writing and Speaking Center is a connected entity. They offer both writing and speaking services, as well as services specifically for ESL/EFL students. Speaking sessions can help with anything from general anxiety around speaking, participating in class discussions, presentations, and speech delivery. At the Center, they also have a faculty member who specializes in ESL who is able to work individually with multilingual students who are having difficulties writing in English. More information about these services can be found in the Frequently Asked Questions section of the website.
OTHER CAMPUS RESOURCES
The Center for Learning, Teaching and Research provides “information and consultation to aid students with academic advising, including general and individual advertising services, instruction in learning strategies and study skills, assistance with time management and organization, and peer tutoring.”
Academic Support and Disability Services works with students who have special needs and disabilities such as ADHD, chronic medical conditions, psychological disorders. Additionally, The Shaw Wellness Institute offers programs and services that encourage healthy behaviors among the students of Colgate University. More information about these services can be found on page 8 of the brochure located here.
CONCLUDING QUESTIONS
● Are there writing consultants assigned to each first-year seminar?
● Can professors request specific consultants for their classes?
● What does the inside of the Writing and Speaking Center look like?
● Is there a receptionist or are people responsible for checking in their own students who have made an appointment?