HISTORY:  In February of 1998, two PC students – Maureen Fitzgerald (class of ’99) and Katie Burke (class of ’99) – approached the Tutorial Center Coordinator with their ideas to implement a writing center.  They drafted a proposal, which included plans for a month-long pilot program to run from March 30 until April 30, 1998.  Twelve peer writing tutors volunteered their time to the program, Monday through Thursday evenings (7:00-9:00 p.m.).  By the end of the month-long trial, the tutors had provided seventy (70) individual tutorial sessions.  Since these rather humble beginnings, the Writing  Center has enjoyed continual growth and greater faculty involvement during each successive year of operation.

MISSION AND PHILOSOPHY: The Writing  Center is available to assist students at any stage of the writing process – from brainstorming a topic to polishing a final draft.  Through an approach to writing instruction that is student-centered, peer tutors work collaboratively with their tutees to identify and rectify chronic structural or mechanical problems, empowering students to avoid similar difficulties in future writing tasks.  In short, the Writing Center's purpose is to make better writers, not just better papers.  Moreover, the Center operates under the assumption that all writers, regardless of their respective ability, can benefit from the feedback of interested, experienced readers.

LOCATION AND OPERATING HOURS:  The Writing Center is part of the Office of Academic Services, which is located on the lower level of the Phillips Memorial Library (Phone: 865.2855).  The hours of operation are Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.