Posted on October 29, 2009 by Taylor Legg, Staff Writer
The Alton L. Wilmer Writing Center recently launched an online appointment book in hopes of making the Writing Center more user-friendly.
"We wanted to streamline the process and make it easier for students," Tim Jackson, Writing Center supervisor said. "It's also another recording method [for the Writing Center] because everything is saved."
Jackson worked with Administrative Systems Manager for Information Technology & Resources Brian Hudson to set up this feature, Jackson said.
"It finally brought us into the 21st Century," Jackson said.
Many of the tutors felt that they have seen an increase in appointments this year in comparison to years past; however, they do not attribute this to the creation of the online appointment book.
"We have had an increase [in appointments], but it is too early to tell if it is because of the online appointment book," Jackson said. "I think it has to do with the increase in student enrollment."
The tutors have also seen an increase in students in the Writing Center at one time.
"There seems to be a more consistent flow of people in the Writing Center," sophomore and tutor Ashley Baker said at the weekly Writing Center meeting on Oct. 20. Baker also said that they were booked for that entire day, which is unusual for this early in the school year.
The tutors also said that they have seen an increased amount of no shows this year. Graduate Assistant Jen LaPlante said that this is just in correlation with the increased amount of appointments.
Tutor and junior Katie Koehling said that while in the past students from all majors have used the Writing Center, she's seen a greater diversity of majors this year.
"I have definitely seen more business and history majors this year than I did last year, although that may just be because I'm a business major, so other business majors get sent to work with me," Koehling said at the meeting.
To access the Writing Center online appointment book, login to MyLC, go to Online Forms and click Writing Center Appointment Form. From there you are taken to a screen where you can select the date of which you would like to make the appointment and which tutor you would like to work with. Each tutor has his or her specialties written under his or her name.
The Writing Center website was recently revamped to include a page with each tutor's picture, first name, year in school, major and minor, LaPlante said. The online appointment book can also be accessed from http://www.lynchburg.edu/writcntr.xml.
Photo courtesy of Robyn Sharkey
Sophomore Tess Evans tutors a student at the Writing Center
