Hi Theresa,
Here at Wilfrid Laurier, our writing centre is part of Learning Services
(LS; soon to be re-named the Student Success Centre). LS is home to
Learning/Study Skills, Central Academic Advising & Transition services,
Accessible Learning, and Math Help Centre. Each of these services has a
manager and we report to the Director of LS, who reports to the VP
Teaching & Learning. The main benefit we see to not being part of an
academic unit is that the majority of our funding comes from the Student
Union which is happy to support student services. If we were part of
the Faculty of Arts, for instance, there is a good chance we might be
seeing cuts.
At one time the writing centre was housed on the second floor of the
library. Currently we are spread over different spaces, with the writing
centre sharing space with Central Academic Advising in the Faculty of
Arts building. We are located on the main floor, not far from the
student concourse and bookstore (good visibility). There is a plan for
new buildings and we will supposedly then be moved together into a new
Learning Commons (again outside of the library).
In the meantime, space is tight here (as it seems to be everywhere). We
have an office for me, one for our writing consultant, two small
tutoring rooms, and a shared waiting/drop-in area. We are facing a
possible temporary relocation and I hope we can expand our space --
fingers crossed! Sharing our current space with other services has some
benefits (collegiality, broadened understanding of student issues) along
with some problems (incompatible environment/office atmospheres,
juggling of space, mixed messages re services offered). If I had a
choice, I would prefer a space that is clearly delineated or separate
from, but adjoining, other services.
Hope this helps.
Boba
BOBA SAMUELS
Manager, Writing Centre
DAWB 1-102
WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY
75 University Avenue W.
Waterloo, ON N2L 3C5
T: 519-884-0710, ext. 3869
www.wlu.ca/writing
>>> Theresa Hyland 10/16/13 1:08 PM >>>
Thanks, Doug. It does seem that most of us are not consulted when these
moves take place. Everybody seems to think that they know better than
you do how to organize a Writing Centre ----- success with student
engagement and faculty satisfaction notwithstanding! I do need to know
more about the details of the move and the barriers that Brenda faced
with the move. Thanks again and I'll report back to the group when I
get some more information. Theresa.
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Hi Theresa,
A few years ago, our writing centre was moved (not entirely voluntarily)
from an academic home in the Faculty of Communication and Culture to the
Student Success Centre, which is sort of a Learning Commons-like entity.
For more details I am copying this to Brenda McDermott, the
co-ordinator.
-----
Dr. Doug Brent
Department of Communication and Culture, University of Calgary
Social Sciences 312
2500 University Drive N.W.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 1N4
Voice: (403) 220-5458 Fax: (403) 210-8138
http://www.ucalgary.ca/~dabrent
From: casll-l: Canadian Association for the Study of Language and
Learning (Inkshed) [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
Theresa Hyland
Sent: October-16-13 9:54 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Writing Centres in the Learning Commons
Hello everyone. Could I please get a feel for how many of your Writing
Centres are housed in a Learning Commons? How does that work? Do you
have designated space within the Learning Commons? Offices in the same
space? Where do you conduct appointments? Who do you report to? (I.e.
the Dean? The Head Librarian, or someone else?) How did it come about
that your Writing Centre was put into a Learning Commons? Where is the
Learning Commons housed (i.e. the library? a student centre? ) We are
embarking on a Learning Commons here at Huron and we are looking at the
different models that exist out there. Thanks, Theresa.
--
Theresa Hyland, MA, EdD
Director, Writing and Cross-cultural Services
Huron University College
1349 Western Rd.
London ON N6G 1H3
t 519-438-7224 Ext. 317
f 519-438-4338
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--
Theresa Hyland, MA, EdD
Director, Writing and Cross-cultural Services
Huron University College
1349 Western Rd.
London ON N6G 1H3
t 519-438-7224 Ext. 317
f 519-438-4338
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