The Ida Montimer Windate Writing Center, endowed by Western College alumna Mary Kyle Michael, '29, and by gifts of Western College Alumnae Association members, assists student writers of all levels and abilities. Here students work collaboratively on their writing and thinking.
Tutors are Western students who are eager to listen, offer support and provide help.
They train in weekly staff meetings to increase their knowledge about writing and teaching, and with other center tutors, have a two-day workshop before the fall semester on effective peer tutoring. They do not rewrite or correct papers, but instead help students analyze areas for improvement, such as invention, organization, development, clarity, coherence and style. Tutors work with students on the process of writing from earliest brainstorming to final polishing. Center staff visit classes to explain services and to give presentations on writing topics such as organizing and executing senior projects, developing research strategies, beginning creative writing or employing gender-inclusive language. Staff facilitate writing groups for students wanting to work on particular modes of writing such as poetry.