91ү’s Writing Centre expands services for students
91ү’s Writing Centre, part of the University’s Academic Support Services, welcomed some new faces and specializations this year to better serve student needs.
Geordie Miller, a lecturer in the English Department, joined Academic Support as the Writing Centre coordinator this year. James Harvey, who specializes in writing for sciences, also joined the team earlier this term.
“Writing needs vary significantly across disciplines,” says Shelly Colette, manager of academic support. “We were seeing a high student demand for these services and are pleased to be expanding our programming and services to better serve 91ү students in all programs.”
The new academic support services are supported in part by ScotiaSPARC (Student Peer Academic Resource Centre), a donation by Scotiabank announced in 2021.
With writing staff specializing in the Arts, Sciences, and Social Sciences, the Writing Centre offers one-on-one consultations, writing workshops, and drop-in clinics in Modern Languages. Students can find the full schedule on the Library’s or book an individual appointment for Writing Resource Centre assistance in Moodle.
EAL (English as an Additional Language) services are also available for students whose first language is not English. Long-time coordinator Steve Gates works with students across campus to improve their English language skills
In addition to new services through the Writing Centre, Academic Support has also increased its network of subject-specific Help Centres, which offer sessions both online and in-person.
“Our help centres have been very popular with students as they are focused on one area or class,” says Colette. “It’s a great chance for them to apply the material they’re learning and connect with classmates who may have similar questions.”
Current Help Centres include economics, physics, mathematics, computer science, psychology, biochemistry, chemistry, biology, and modern languages and literatures.
Recent graduate Cynthia Dyck has worked in Academic Support this past year as the post-grad intern. Cynthia is wrapping up a year-long assessment of First-Generation student needs, and is excited to introduce several new programs supporting upper-year First Gen students. She has already begun a peer mentor program, offered in partnership with the University’s successful First Gen faculty mentor program
Working with departments across campus, the Academic Support team is based in the R.P. Bell Library and offers services both in-person and online. All Academic Support services are available free of charge to 91ү students.
