The Writing Across Curriculum program has been made more accessible this semester in the way students can get help with their writing.
For previous semesters, students would have to sign up for WAC classes to schedule appointments with instructors and staff, according to coordinator Janay Lovering, students no longer have to sign up for a paid half unit class.
Students can now utilize the Writing Center’s lab, located in the Learning Resource Center for free without having to pay tuition costs for the half unit.
“Last semester [WAC] helped me so much with my papers,” said William Hargraves, a student utilizing the center.
This semester, the program and its instructional assistants have become more involved in helping students in the classroom as well.
“We’re also embedded into some of the English courses, [for example] the 300/94,” said Michael Kerr, an instructional assistant. “We go in and help students, help the professor with whatever activities they have going on, whether it’s like workshopping an essay, or different writing styles, or going over readings and discussions.”
Along with changes to the program, a new name is attached.
“We’ve rebranded. [We are now called the] Writing Center,” said Janay Lovering, the program coordinator. “Now we’re free to all students.”
If students still want the units, WAC is not completely gone. Students can still enroll in online WAC classes for a half credit.
“There are online workshops for the class version,” Lovering said when describing the unit version of the class. “Sometimes students need units, and it’s the same as the free version.”
In addition to units, students can also receive extra credit for their class.
The Writing Center itself helps in a variety of ways.
“I think we’re most helpful [when we get] to talk with students, and getting to learn about what struggles they may be facing,” Kerr said. “Basically, just being able to be someone that’s there for them, to listen to their ideas.”
Lovering also addressed possible misconceptions about the Writing Center.
“Sometimes people think it’s just essays, but it really is any small or large writing assignment,” Lovering said.
Lovering and the Writing Center are trying to get the word out to students through a variety of ways. They offer class visits to professors, and send information to home bases and staff to get the word out.
The Writing Center is also hosting a pizza party on Feb. 18 for students to learn more about the Writing Center and its changes.
“We’re going to have stations where students can all play games or ask to sign up for the online conferencing system,” Lovering said. “We’ll give out bookmarks that have all our information. It’ll have a QR code that goes to [the Writing Center] website.”
Overall, the recently renamed Writing Center’s changes aim to make writing assistance easier and more accessible for students.
To learn more about the Writing Center, visit this link: The Writing Center | American River College
To sign up for Writing Center appointments, visit this link: ARC Writing Center
