By Jess Bellemer and Steph Teasley, Hood Theological Seminary
Presented on March 11, 2015 for the Trends in Outreach and Collaboration portion of the NCLA-RASS Conference Series--Trends in Reference 2015.
2. Services at Hood Library
0 Writing center as a library service
0 Services breakdown
0 Writing - Steph
0 Research - Jess
0 Serving the Hood Theological Seminary community
0 200 FTE
0 Masters and doctoral students only
0 Student needs
3. Research and Writing
Appointments
0 We accept walk-ins but prefer students to make
appointments. Appointments streamline our process
0 We use Setmore for appointments
0 http://hoodwritingcenter.setmore.com/
0 Both research and writing services listed together
4.
5. Evaluating Student Need
0 Many of our students don’t see the line between
research and writing so evaluation is key
0 Questions to get them the correct assistance
0 What are you working on today?
0 What have you done so far?
0 What would you like to accomplish in the next 50
minutes?
6.
7.
8. Open Communication
0 It is the key!
0 Regularly discuss student progress
0 Design game plans for working with specific students
addressing their specific needs
9. Joint Appointments
0 When necessary, we hold appointments together
0 We let the student talk about the project and evaluate
the necessary steps together
0 Usually, following appointments will be individual
11. Misunderstanding Services
Problem: Students don’t always understand the
difference between writing and research services.
Solutions: Publicity, flexibility, communicating with
them and the faculty
12. Student Expectations
Challenge: Some students expect if they come
to us, they will get an A automatically.
Solution: Get students to focus on skill-
building, rather than magic fixes.
13. Faculty Referrals
Challenge: The language faculty use to refer
students to us can be vague and confusing.
i.e. “Have the writing center look over your paper.”
Solution: Provide faculty with information on
language that will be informative to the student
and to us. i.e. “You need a more narrow thesis
statement.”
14. Distance
Challenge: 90% of our students commute.
Many are hesitant to drive in for research and
writing appointments.
Solution: Focus on providing quality services
to students via the phone and email.
16. Collaborate on Information Literacy and
Appointments
0 Meet with a writing instructor to get
suggestions on incorporating writing skills
in information literacy
0 Don’t be afraid to have a joint appointment!
17. Create Publicity Together
0 Publicize writing and research services in
the same space.
0 Advertise joint events with the benefits of
getting writing and research support
