By Luis Montes
UHCLIDIAN STAFF

The University Writing Center offers the Center for Online Tutoring to all currently registered students. COLT allows writers the convenience of requesting help with writing assignments from a home computer or a university workstation.

Online tutoring sessions provide writers with peer tutor responses to their work. Students can e-mail the writing center and attach their paper or a short portion of the paper for revision by a tutor.

"The advantage for students is that they do not have to be on campus to use this service," said Bernie Hall, writing center assistant director. "Since many of our students come to campus only one or two days a week, they can't always come to the writing center. COLT allows them to receive input from peer tutors right from their homes."

The writing center provides free services for students, faculty and staff to help develop their writing skills. The writing center provides trained peer tutors who assist writers by teaching a range of strategies for creating, planning, organizing, revising and editing writing assignments.

"We let writers know if we think they have not addressed the requirements of an assignment and help them to understand the different ways people approach writing tasks in different disciplines," said Chloe Diepenbrock, writing center director. "We also work with non-native speakers so they can understand how to structure their English better."

The writing center also offers other services such as tip sheets, sample assignments, classroom visits and grammar, spelling, and punctuation test preparation.

"I have visited the writing center to get help with the GSP and they have been very helpful," said Alan Adams, a communication major. A current UH-Clear Lake identification card is required for appointments.

Appointments generally begin on the hour and typically last 45 minutes.

Appointments may be held for approximately 10 minutes for those who are running late. Students are allowed one appointment per week.

"I enjoy working with other students and teaching them how to write better papers," said Emily Marchand, peer tutor in the writing center.

The writing center is located in the Bayou Building Room 2304. Regular hours are Monday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Tuesday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; and Friday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The writing center is closed weekends, holidays and final exams week.

Appointments are encouraged and should be scheduled early so that feedback may be utilized. Walk-ins are also welcome depending on the availability of a tutor.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact the writing center at (281) 283-2910 or visit online at www.writingcenter@cl.uh.edu. Those interested in becoming a peer tutor should contact Diepenbrock at (281) 283-3356 for more information.

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