INTRODUCTION

Until the spring of 1988, a writing lab was in operation in Skinner Hall under the direction of Dr. Richard Stracke of the department of Languages, Literature, and Communication. It was staffed by student assistants during limited hours, in limited space, with only one computer. In the fall of 1986 word processing had been added to the English 1101 curriculum and students were required to compose several longer essays at the labs in Reese Library, as well as Markert and Hardy Halls. Classes were meeting regularly in these computer labs along with their assigned classrooms. This increase in class writing expectations brought about the need for an expanded facility to assist students with their writing.

Information Technology Services conducted a feasibility study in the winter of 1987 to find a location for the expanded writing lab that would suit its need for computers and other electronic equipment. The current location in the quardrangle next to Fanning Hall was selected largely because it would not disrupt the space of other departments. In addition, ITS had previously been located here and therefore much of the wiring for the computers was already in place. 

Dr. Stracke continued to direct the operation of the lab area along with the freshman English program until the hiring of a fulltime director in September 1988. At that time, Mrs. Joanne Cheng became the first Augusta College Writing Center director. In June of 1989, Mrs. Cheng left Augusta and Mrs. Karin Sisk became the director that July after serving as a part-time instructor of English 1101 since September 1987. She has further developed the staff, technology, and space needs over the years and is looking forward to the move to University Hall.

SERVING THE ENTIRE CAMPUS AND BEYOND

Since 1989, the Augusta State University Writing Center has served the campus and assisted with space for English 1101 classes.  The center is probably one of the campus’ best kept secrets.  Just ask someone where we are: tucked away in the corner of the quadrangle next to Fanning Hall, without even a building name or room numbers. No wonder our students are late and confused the first day of classes.

Furthermore, many of these English 1101 students are not made aware of the service we provide although tutors are available right across the hall.  Even if they find us in this first composition class, there are many who think we are only there for them during this class and only rediscover the writing center when they are having composition problems in another class.

With the addition of ASUO1000, our orientation class, we are now more likely to be discovered even before a student takes English.  Bringing in a paper for ASUO creates an awareness of what we do and how we do it. With this introduction, a student is more likely to make us a part of his or her academic life until graduation.

Spring housekeeping in 2003 was spent ascertaining the records back to 1996.  During this period we found that we are serving an increasing number of students and from an increasing number of disciplines.  The following areas have become regulars:  learning support, education, nursing, political science, history, business (especially marketing), fine arts, and even biology, and chemistry. Our non-native speakers are some of our favorites since we learn so much about their homelands. It is also wonderful to see improvement over the semesters or just one semester and/or one class. Even our own writing improves from this interactive experience.

 Serving the community is also a major commitment of the writing center. We have provided grades three and five with writing tutoring in three elementary schools with low test scores. We were lucky enough to receive a Pamplin Grant for the last program. A grandmother reader program has also been set up through the auspices of one of our volunteers, Mrs. Evelyn Beaird, who has been with us since 1990.  Most recently, we were funded by a special program designed to bring more African American youth from our local high schools to Augusta State.  Our “Weekend Warriors” came from Laney and Josey High Schools.  Led by Dr. Mary McCormack, our staff provided two Saturdays of writing and mentoring.  In Spring 2003, Dr. McCormack and Mrs. Sisk, along with several tutors, provided training at Laney High School for peer tutors to assist the 30 plus students who had failed to pass the writing exit exam. Strong writers in the junior and senior class participated in the four hour workshop and worked with identified students to increase their writing skills in order to pass the exit exam.

Big news of 2004 was the move to University Hall 235. The location is bright and cheerful, as well as well-designed for more privacy during tutoring sessions. We also have an additional classroom to allow for more flexibility in English 1102 classes and the addition of some 1102 classes in closer proximity to the assistance provided by the writing center tutors.