If you plan on stopping by Hofstra University’s Writing Center at Mason Hall, then be prepared for its new look. The Writing Center was relocated to the third floor of the Axinn Library, as construction began on Friday, Sept. 13; the renovations ceased on Saturday, Oct. 19.
“It is small, but we are making do,” said Michael Heiss, a faculty tutor in the Writing Center and adjunct assistant professor of Writing Studies and Rhetoric, referring to the relocation in the Axinn Library. “But it is really nice that the Center for Academic Excellence has given us the opportunity to have a dedicated space so that we are not sharing with a lot of other people.”
Many students who experienced the Writing Center under construction did not mind the relocation.
“I love the third-floor atmosphere. It was like I was surrounded by students with the goal to better themselves and it was definitely a friendly environment,” said Emma McKean, a first-year pre-physician assistant studies major. “The tutoring definitely helped me a lot.”
The Writing Center is a place where students can connect with one another and hone writing and thinking skills. After visiting the Writing Center, many students say they see improvement in their work.
“Although I don’t always take full advantage of the Writing Center, in the times that I have, I really found that the tutors there have helped shape me into a much more efficient writer,” said Matthew Mayer, a sophomore film studies and production major. According to some students, the Writing Center is essential to any writing assignment.
“The writing center is definitely the best place to get your paper to go the extra mile,” said Michael Roller, a sophomore majoring in political science and public policy. “The staff is wonderfully kind and helpful and the work they do is vitally important to almost every assignment I receive.”
“The Writing Center renovations include a larger common tutoring space and two private tutoring spaces. In addition to new PCs, we also will have two Wi-Fi enabled screens, so students and tutors can project work from their own devices into larger formats,” said Andrea Efthymiou, director of the Writing Center and assistant professor of Writing Studies and Rhetoric. “The renovated space will include flexible tables and seating, whiteboard walls and two moveable whiteboards.”
“The new renovations are targeted toward helping Hofstra students feel comfortable in tutoring environments and offer more space, so tutors and students will be able to connect better, Efthymiou said. “All of these modifications allow for increased accessibility and overall comfort for students and tutors. Our renovations are intended to offer flexible learning environments in line with best practices in writing center pedagogy.”