Writing Resources
Writing and Speaking Center
One of the goals of this class is to familiarize you with writing resources on campus that you can continue to access throughout your time at St. Mary’s. One such resource is the Writing & Speaking Center, which offers free peer tutoring in writing and speaking. The peer tutors are students themselves, but they have completed extensive hands-on training to learn how to assist their peers with writing assignments. Although the peer tutors cannot diagnose issues or make revisions for you, they can work collaboratively with you to discuss ideas, consider options, and find solutions so that you can continue solo. In order to familiarize you with the Center, you will be required to complete one tutorial at the Writing & Speaking Center by November 1st to work on a paper for this class. You must bring a draft to your tutorial (you cannot use your required tutorial for brainstorming or planning). You will need to visit the center for one of the two Advanced Writing Assignments. Your peer mentor, Michael, will be doing a brief presentation to show you how to make an appointment and give you some ideas for how you may wish to use your tutorial.
Located on the first floor of the main Library, the Writing and Speaking Center offers free peer tutoring in writing and speaking. The peer tutors are students themselves, but they have completed extensive hands-on training to learn how to assist their peers at any step of the process (planning, drafting, or revising) for any writing or speaking assignment. The peer tutors will not make decisions about revision for you and will instead work collaboratively with you to discuss ideas and consider options so that you can choose how best to revise on your own. This collaborative approach is one of the best ways to help students develop their abilities because all writers and speakers need audiences—just ask the peer tutors, who often schedule tutorials with each other. To make an appointment, please visit www.smcm.edu/writingcenter and click the “Schedule an Appointment” button. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact Interim Director Amanda Taylor at apheatwole@smcm.edu.
Writing Terms Glossary
The Glossary provides definitions of writing-related terms. You can look up definitions that you need, but you can also link to definitions that students may need. Each term also has a list of resources (handouts, activities, etc.) that might be useful in workshops or other instruction.
College and Campus Resources
SMCM Code of Student Conduct : I support the SMCM Code of Student Conduct, which states, in part: “St. Mary’s College of Maryland is committed to the ideals of honesty, personal integrity, and mutual trust. Academic integrity is a responsibility of all students, members of the faculty, and administrative officers. All students are expected to uphold the highest ideals of academic integrity throughout their career at St. Mary’s.”Students who commit acts of academic misconduct are subject to in-class penalties imposed by the instructor and to a hearing before the Academic Judicial Board with possibilities of additional penalties. You are responsible for understanding and complying with the SMCM Code of Student Conduct.
SMCM Covid-19 Policies: Please keep updated on SMCM’s response to Covid-19. If you are not feeling well, please do not come to class, get in contact with the wellness center to determine your next steps.
Academic Integrity: Students should be familiar with the official SMCM academic policies as outlined in the Course Catalog. Policies therein will be strictly enforced. You may also read the Student Handbook “To the Point” to acquaint yourself with this important set of guidelines and regulations. ****
Grade disclosure: All personal information concerning your performance in this course is covered by federal privacy legislation, known as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA). All grades will be posted on Blackboard. No grades or status questions will be provided by telephone or email.****
IDEA2. The Division of Inclusive Diversity, Equity, Access, and Accountability serves as a strategic campus partner to support the needs of the diverse SMCM community. They lead strategic and campus-wide efforts to advance diversity and inclusion, emphasizing diversity education and outreach to promote personal and professional growth to foster a climate of inclusion within a diverse community, and establishing partnerships to support coordination with existing campus diversity efforts. Among other things, their website provides a link to report bias-related incidents to the Bias Prevention and Support Team and information about upcoming events and workshops:
https://www.smcm.edu/inclusive-diversity-equity-access-accountability/
Office of Title IX Compliance and Training: St. Mary's College of Maryland is committed to helping create a safe and open learning environment for all students. If you (or someone you know) have experienced any form of sexual misconduct, including sexual assault, dating or domestic violence, or stalking, know that help and support are available.
The College strongly encourages all community members to take action, seek support, and report incidents of sexual misconduct to the Title IX Office. Under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, I am required to disclose information about such misconduct to the Title IX Office. If you would like to talk to a confidential employee who does not have this reporting responsibility, you can contact SMCM Wellness Center (240) 895-4289.
For more information about reporting options and resources at St. Mary's College of Maryland and the community, please visit the Office of Title IX Compliance and Training.
Accommodations/Accessibility: SMCM is committed to providing access to the learning and living experience to students with disabilities and disabling health conditions. If you have received a letter from the Office of Accessibility Services (OAS), which outlines the academic accommodations to which you are entitled to and you want those accommodations to apply to this course, you MUST share your letter and meet with me to review that letter. If you suspect that you have a learning or living need related to a disability or disabling health condition that could benefit from accommodations, you should contact the Office of Accessibility Services, who can help you learn more about how to proceed. Email: adasupport@smcm.edu
Office of Student Support Services: The Office of Student Success Services (OS3) provides free tutoring services and academic coaching with professional staff and Peer Academic Success Strategies (PASS) Specialists. You may make appointments by emailing PASS@smcm.edu. To request tutoring for a specific course, email tutoring@smcm.edu. For any other help call 240-895-4388, stop by Glendening 230, or email os3@smcm.edu.
Class attendance is the #1 indicator of academic success. OS3 emphatically encourages all students to Go to Class! Class attendance is important for numerous reasons:
Students tend to remember info more when they attend class.
Your presence in class shows your instructor that you care about the course, and it is important to you. If your grade is borderline at the end of the semester, the instructor may give you the benefit of the doubt because you regularly attended class.
You/your families are paying to be in class. In-state residents who miss a class are wasting over $56 per class. Out-of-state students who miss a class are throwing away $110 per class!
Your instructor will likely explain material differently/better than you can learn it yourself and can answer questions more directly.
Going to class helps you build community and relationships with peers and your instructors.
By not coming to class, you may miss a pop quiz, participation points, extra credit opportunities, important info, or in-class assignments that can impact your grade.
Wellness Center: A growing number of students are experiencing mental health challenges to varying degrees. Doing what you can to stay ahead by wisely taking care of yourself will be a key to succeeding academically. Sometimes mental health challenges can affect your ability to complete required work. For example, a particular assignment might trigger anxiety for you in ways which were not anticipated. Or maybe it becomes difficult to attend class due to mental health challenges. In any of those cases please come and talk with more or send me an email. I’ll listen and do what I can to help. The sooner you share your challenges with me, the better prepared I am to assist you. I am one of many people here at SMCM who care about you and your welfare. For further support, the Wellness Center provides numerous confidential health and counseling services including same day/next day connections to counseling by calling 240-895-4289 or emailing the Director at jljolly@smcm.edu . To learn more about Wellness Center Services please go to their webpage at https://www.smcm.edu/wellness/