The program is overseen by the University Writing Committee, which includes faculty representation from each of the colleges. Last year, the committee recommended that administrative oversight be moved to the provost's office from the English department. The writing center's technological resources also received a boost, with the donation of four used computers from academic affairs, and grants from the provost's office and the Parents Association to improve the Web site. We have 30 undergraduate and graduate students serving as peer tutors, writing fellows or office assistants. The writing center, located in Hamilton-Smith 7, is open 130 hours a week.
Students can make appointments ahead of time or see if there are walk-in slots available.
Faculty can also refer students individually or incorporate a visit to the writing center into one of their assignments. We expect to have logged more than 1,000 consultations by mid-December. Outreach efforts extend far beyond campus, however, since the development of electronic list serves linking students in high schools in Woodsville and Portsmouth and Central High in Manchester with UNH students who read the papers they submit and offer constructive comments. The writing center and WAC also serve faculty. We assist faculty and graduate students in the development of curriculum and assignments for writing intensive and writing enhanced courses and we provide workshops, presentations by national figures, and individual opportunities for faculty dialogue on writing, active learning and critical thinking resources across the university.