Writing Center Policies

• Tutors will not proofread a student’s paper.

  Proofreading, tutors simply reading and marking up students’ work without any interaction, is not helpful because it does not give students an opportunity to learn and be confident enough to revise and edit their own work. Tutors will, however, review students’ writing with them, addressing the strengths and weaknesses of the writing and enabling them to effectively edit their own work in the future.

• Students must show up on time for their tutorial sessions. Consistent absence or tardiness will result in the student being removed from the schedule.

The Writing Center staff has an obligation to offer tutoring to as many students as possible during the course of the semester. If a student is consistently late or absent, the time that the tutor spends waiting for that student is time the the tutor could have spent working with someone else. Therefore, to be fair, students who do not attend or frequently come in late will be replaced with a student on the waiting list. However, if students are removed from the schedule due to lack of attendance, they are welcome to reapply for tutoring and the Writing Center staff will do their best to schedule the students again.

• Tutors are not graders.

Tutors cannot effect nor predict grades earned by students, nor can the tutor grade students’ work. Participation in tutoring is not graded.

• Students must have an appointment to receive tutoring, whether it is a weekly scheduled session or a drop in session.

It is impossible for us to predict when students will visit the Writing Center unless they have an appointment. In order to schedule the necessary staff members at optimal times, we need to have a schedule in place.

• Tutors cannot help a student outside of the regularly scheduled tutorial session.

When tutors are at work, their time is scheduled and they may not be interrupted during a student’s session. If tutors are not at work, they are entitled to their own free time without the obligation of tutoring. Also, tutoring can only take place in the Writing Center.

• Students scheduled for regular weekly tutoring cannot sign up for drop in tutoring, nor are they permitted more than one regularly scheduled tutoring slot a week.

The Writing Center often has a lengthy list of students requesting tutoring. It would be unfair to offer one student several slots while other students are waiting to be tutored.

• Steady communication with students who are scheduled for tutoring is necessary in order to achieve the best tutorial experience possible.

In order to establish good communication, we require an e-mail address and a phone number when students request tutoring.

• If an emergency comes up and a student cannot attend a scheduled tutorial session, it is necessary for the student to notify the Writing Center.

A student can do this by calling the Writing Center at (973) 353-5847 and leaving a message at the front desk. Notifying the Center does not excuse your absence, but it will allow us to offer your tutorial time to another student.

• The Writing Center respects confidentiality.

Neither professors nor anyone else will be notified about students’ participation in tutoring, unless permission is granted by the students. Also, students’ personal information and files will be kept confidential.

• Tutor information such as telephone numbers, e-mail addresses, or home addresses are not offered to students.

The Writing Center treats all information about tutors as confidential.

• There is absolutely, without any exception, no use of cell phones, beepers, or iPods allowed in the Writing Center.

Cell phones and beepers are distracting and disrupting in an environment where tutorial sessions are taking place. Your time in the Writing Center is best spent writing (cellular text messages don’t count). Also, walkmans and headphones are not permitted, as the volume can be loud enough for others to hear, causing unnecessary distractions.

• Computers at the Writing Center are available for all Rutgers students.

Please note that food and beverages are prohibited around the computers. Also, the Writing Center is unique in that space is shared by everyone working at the computers and students participating in tutorial sessions. We insist that everyone speak quietly.

• Everyone using the Writing Center is required to treat the space with respect. Please do not leave garbage in the Center, and PLEASE do not put chewed gum under the table or at the bottom of chairs.

• Students who require help with resumes, cover letters, and personal essays can contact the Career Development Center (CDC) at (973) 353-5311.

A student can also go directly to the CDC at Hill Hall room 313 or visit their website at: http://www.rutgers-newark.rutgers.edu/cdcrun/.

The Writing Center offers more than 700 tutorials each semester in addition to e-tutoring, drop-in tutoring, and workshops. We can only maintain this level of service with everyone’s cooperation and courtesy. The Writing Center staff looks forward to having a great semester helping students as much as possible!

Updated 03/07