On November 24th, 2023, I interviewed the manager of The Writing Centre at Memorial University Carolyn Best. We discussed what The Writing Centre does, its importance, what makes a good tutor, COVID-19 restrictions, the number of appointments, the highlight of her career thus far, her managerial philosophy, and budgetary concerns. See the interview below:
Many of my readers are current MUN students. What would you like to tell them about the Writing Centre?
The Writing Centre is a free service for registered undergraduate and graduate students in any discipline at Memorial University. Our mandate is to help students become more confident writers and better critical thinkers. Our door is open to students at any stage of the writing process regardless of their writing proficiency.
Our tutors, who are also Memorial students, are trained to engage with writers and provide them with feedback. Tutors help students through one-on-one sessions (in person or virtually) or by giving written feedback on documents that they submit. In addition to tutoring session, students can attend weekly online workshops and avail of our online handouts, interactive activities, and video tutorials. Graduate students have the option of also attending our thesis writing retreats or groups.
The Writing Centre supports not only Memorial students but also the university’s faculty and instructors. By accessing our services and resources, faculty and instructors can foster a writing-supportive environment within their courses. For instance, we provide information for course syllabi and Brightspace shells. In addition, we offer presentations covering various aspects of academic writing.
Our main office is located in the Science Building in room SN-2053. We also have a satellite location for undergraduates in The Commons in the QEII Library. For more information, those interested can call 864-3168, email writing@mun.ca, or visit our webpage at http://www.mun.ca/writingcentre.
Why is it important for the university to have a Writing Centre?
A writing centre is important to the university because it plays a critical role in supporting student success, and promoting effective communication skills that are essential both in academia and in students’ future careers.
What makes a good tutor?
A good writing tutor possesses a combination of skills and qualities that enable them to effectively assist and empower students in improving their writing skills. Essentially, a good writing tutor is not only knowledgeable about writing but is also patient, empathetic, adaptable, and dedicated to helping students become more confident and skilled writers.
How did COVID-19 restrictions impact the Writing Centre? What was your approach to handling the services of the Writing Centre during that time?
The pandemic had a significant impact on the Writing Centre since our main services were held in-person. However, we adapted quickly to remote service delivery by making use of new technologies, and by considering new ways of supporting students’ writing needs. Since the return to in-person learning, we have continued to offer online tutoring sessions and workshops to better serve students in online programs and courses, and those unable to come to campus.
How many undergraduate tutors are employed by the Writing Centre? How many graduates?
We currently employ 15 undergraduate tutors and 11 graduate tutors.
How many undergraduate appointments does the Writing Centre get per semester? How many graduates?
The number of appointments changes from semester to semester. The fall and winter semesters see a greater number of appointments than the spring/summer semester does. This semester, our current number of tutors will allow for up to 1200 undergraduate sessions and 330 graduate sessions.
Since becoming manager in 2019, what has been the highlight of your career at the Writing Centre?
One highlight for me has been hearing success stories from students. Students have told us that because of our services, they have not only improved their writing skills but have also become more confident writers. They are very thankful to the tutors for the help they receive.
Another highlight of my job is working with the tutors. I feel lucky to be surrounded by such a wonderful group of people. Our tutors have a genuine passion for sharing their knowledge and helping boost students’ confidence. They love having the opportunity to help make a positive impact on a student’s education.
How would you describe your managerial philosophy at the Writing Centre?
My managerial philosophy encompasses the guiding principles, values, and strategies that shape our operations and services. It reflects our commitment to student success, inclusivity, professionalism, and continuous improvement while aligning with the core values of our institution.
The university has faced many budgetary concerns in recent years. Has the Writing Centre been impacted by them? If so, how have you approached the situation?
While budgetary constraints can be challenging, we are fortunate that the university recognizes the importance of the Writing Centre and its work. For that reason, the funding we receive enables us to support students effectively without compromising service quality.
Matt Barter is a fourth-year student in the Humanities and Social Sciences Faculty at Memorial University of Newfoundland, majoring in Political Science with a minor in Sociology. He enjoys reading thought-provoking articles, walks in nature, and volunteering in the community.
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