The Midwest Writing Centers Association, or as we call it the MWCA, is "a regional nonprofit organization that encourages communication and collaboration among writing centers in the Midwestern region of the United States."-MWCA website
Every fall the association holds a regional conference where the writing centers of the Midwest can come together for a chance to mingle, make connections, and learn something useful. This year the theme of the conference is "Writing the L". For those of you not familiar with Chicago, that is rapid transit system of Chicago making it a clever title for this year's conference.
Between now and October 17th when some of our writing center's finest will brace for their journey to the "windy city" I will keep you updated on some of the ways they will be representing Coe upon their arrival. Our Writing Center will have presentations from who has the power in the Writing Center operation to how we balance our comfy space with work and play. These presentations are going to be stellar. Coming soon: interviews with those heading up to project front.
-Margaret Gruhler
Showing posts with label events. Show all posts
Showing posts with label events. Show all posts
Monday, October 7, 2013
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Terrific Times at Tuesday Tea
Being brand new to Coe College and the Writing Center, there’s been a lot of events to attend. One of my favorite and most frequently attended social gathering of the WC is Tuesday Tea. Everyone is welcome, whether it’s your first shindig or you’re a seasoned veteran.
Tuesday Tea is, as the name implies, held on almost every Tuesday starting at 3:30 and going to around 4. I would advise getting there a little before that time if possible, since the event seems to be gaining in popularity.
The event usually goes down as follows: the Tea Triangle (I’m coining that right now) is rung and the few stragglers scamper to the back of the WC to grab remaining seats. Once everyone is settled, the tea and other assorted foodstuffs are passed around. There are usually two different types of teas, in case someone is vehemently opposed to one of the selections. The past two events have seen the appearance of the ever popular peach and Tetley. Peach is pretty self explanatory, but for those who are unaware, Tetley is similar to English breakfast tea. In the words of a fellow consultant, “it tastes like trees.” Besides the tea, there are many other types of sustenance that include but are not limited to: cheese, crackers, sausage, danishes, fruit, cookies, and the ever popular cucumber sandwiches. Don’t worry if you’re not a fan of gluten; we’ve got you covered with a choice of gluten-free or gluten-filled crackers.
Doctor Bob usually has some topic of discussion he throws out for the table to mull over, but there are always plenty of other interesting conversations going on. Most recently he brought to the table the idea of more faculty members joining in on Tuesday Tea. So if you’re part of the Coe College faculty and you’re reading this post right now, feel free to come on in!
Remember, everyone is welcome to this event! If you haven’t gotten the chance to stop by the WC yet, it is located in lower gage, at the far end of the hall opposite of the Caf. If you see a long hallway with ceramics at the end, you’re in the right place. And if you manage to get horribly lost, there are signs around to guide you. Feel free to stop on by for a few minutes during the next Tuesday Tea and get a feel for things. I hope to see a few new faces next time!
Stay classy,
Brittney
Saturday, April 25, 2009
cookout
this coming monday (april 27), in place of the usual staff meeting, there will be a wc cookout on the peterson patio. there will be hamburgers, hot dogs, veggie burgers, and a very good chance for a pinata. there's a sign-up on the front desk, or email emily c. with mealplan info.
what: wc cookout
date: monday, april 27
time: 5:30 pm
place: peterson patio
what: wc cookout
date: monday, april 27
time: 5:30 pm
place: peterson patio
kids against hunger
here are some photos from last week's meeting, in which the writing center sponsored a "kids against hunger" food drive. each consultant donated $5 (and bob matched the consultants with a $250 donation) and participated in packaging food for underprivileged children.
photos by kevin dyrland
photos by kevin dyrland
Monday, March 23, 2009
kevin loves frisbee
This message from Kevin, lover of all things frisbee, and all things ultimate:
Support Waypoint! Play Frisbee!
Coe Egalitarians Supporting the Advancement of Women (CESAW) and Ultimate Frisbee are once again sponsoring The Waypoint Ultimate Frisbee Tournament! The tournament will be held on Clark Field, Saturday, April 4th to benefit Waypoint Services in Cedar Rapids, and we want you to be a part of it!
Any campus organization is welcome to form a team and come out and play with us! We are asking that each team donate a minimum of $10 to play, and the team that raises the most money in addition to that ten dollars will receive a prize. All donations will go directly to Waypoint.
We use the word "tournament" in the loosest sense of the word, meaning we encourage everyone to participate regardless of whether or not you’ve played before. In the interest of fairness, there will be no team consisting purely of those who normally play, rather, we are hoping to have as many organizations as possible show their support and learn a little about Ultimate Frisbee.
The games will be 20 minutes long. Each team will need a minimum of seven players on the field at all times, but you can have as many subs as you want. The more the merrier!
If you don’t have enough people to make an entire team, or find yourself just wanting to play, just reply to this e-mail and we will find a home for you.
Please respond to this email no later than Wednesday March 25th if you want to be involved. Minimum donations and team captains will be due April 1st.
Get us a fricken WC team, please. Perhaps you should mention that merely by responding to me/ultimate@coe.edu I will form a team, and find a captain. All they have to do is sign up...
-KD
Sunday, March 22, 2009
nothing much to say
Hello, greater audience of the Coe Writing Center blog. I have been amazingly remiss in updating ... Apologies, deepest and heartfelt.
Upcoming CWC-related (however tangentially) events:
- The Ladies Literary Club contest.
- The James P. Young Essay Prize contest.
- Paul Engle Creative Writing Prize contest.
There will be more information on these events (currently I'm without the poster detailing these things ... I'm just all kinds of unprepared today) forthcoming.
Also: congratulations, Jenna, on a thesis well-defended!
- Leta
Upcoming CWC-related (however tangentially) events:
- The Ladies Literary Club contest.
- The James P. Young Essay Prize contest.
- Paul Engle Creative Writing Prize contest.
There will be more information on these events (currently I'm without the poster detailing these things ... I'm just all kinds of unprepared today) forthcoming.
Also: congratulations, Jenna, on a thesis well-defended!
- Leta
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
come one, come all
Hello!
The Coe Review will celebrating the publication of our annual Poetry Issue with a reading and reception tomorrow, Thursday, February 26th, from 4:30-6:00 pm, in the Perrine Gallery (located on the second floor of the library).
Here your fellow students and professors read their published poetry, including Nick Bertelson, John Thornburg, Joelle Ryu, Leta Keane, and Ezra Stewart-Silver. We will have delicious hors d'oeuvres, as well, so come schmooze with us.
What: Coe Review Release Party (poetry and free food)
When Thursday, 2/26 from 4:30-6:00 pm (tomorrow)
Where: The Perrine Gallery
See you there!
(above image: cover art from the 2008 fall issue, Take II, a viscosity print by Gary Webb)
The Coe Review will celebrating the publication of our annual Poetry Issue with a reading and reception tomorrow, Thursday, February 26th, from 4:30-6:00 pm, in the Perrine Gallery (located on the second floor of the library).
Here your fellow students and professors read their published poetry, including Nick Bertelson, John Thornburg, Joelle Ryu, Leta Keane, and Ezra Stewart-Silver. We will have delicious hors d'oeuvres, as well, so come schmooze with us.
What: Coe Review Release Party (poetry and free food)
When Thursday, 2/26 from 4:30-6:00 pm (tomorrow)
Where: The Perrine Gallery
See you there!
(above image: cover art from the 2008 fall issue, Take II, a viscosity print by Gary Webb)
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Tomorrow, Monday, Feb. 23, at 7:00 pm (immediately after the WC meeting), you should all make your way over to Kesler Hall to hear this year's Paul Engle Poetry Reading, the Pulitzer-winning poet, Philip Schultz. The event is free, no tickets required, and you should all go bask in the literary culture.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Chock Full O'Minutes
Oh, it was a content-rich meeting.
Bob handed out tickets to see Jared Diamond speak on Tuesday night. For those not in the know (ie: me until a few days ago), he’s a professor of geography and physiology and UCLA and won the Pulitzer for Guns, Germs and Steel, “a short history about everyone for the last 13,000 years.” Should be interesting at the very least.
It seems that the Peterson recycling system is now “sort of going.” It gets picked up Thursday morning and Tuesday afternoon.
There have recently been complaints about the quality of the WC non-home-roasted coffee (the stuff we get from the freezer, which are cheap beans from Sam’s Club). Some of the complaints may have come from me. We are now getting them from Coffee Klatch, a company in California – the blend is “Bourbon Supremo.” Ezra says the new coffee is actually pretty good.
In honor of this, we will, for the first time ever, be introducing three (3) coffee pots. Whoa. Prices have also gone up to 80 cents per cup. Bob reminds us that because these fancy beans are twice as expensive as the old variety, we might try to be reasonably conservative in our use.
An interesting thing: A student at the University of Iowa is doing his doctoral dissertation specifically on conferencing at the Coe Writing Center. His focus will be on what happens after the conference ends. You’ll be getting questionnaires in your mailbox, which you can fill out if you want.
Willie took one of my five remaining Lucky Charms marshmallows, but makes up for the theft with another interesting fact: she says that both Lucky Charms and Cap’n’Crunch cereals are illegal in the E.U. because they contain some sort of sinister substance. Well.
You can now win prizes. Prizes! There are many varieties of prizes being given out, to both consultants and writers, and the trick to winning them is…do a lot of conferences. Prizes are bookstore gift certificates and dinner coupons to the Lighthouse Inn, which is supposedly the oldest restaurant in CR, and the place where Al Capone ate when he was in town. Bob says they make the best ribs he’s ever eaten. It’s my birthday next week: anyone want to take me out for dinner?
Um, there’s a new remote for the non-functioning tv. You can use it to watch DVDs if you can decode the elaborate system of button-pressing involved in operating the remote. Ask Melissa for more details.
Then we came to the main portion of the evening. You read that right. We haven’t even gotten to the main part of the meeting: the Study Abroad Panel. Here’s a brief(ish) rundown of the conversation:
Willie: Sweden. Classes about movies. Her town is called “Dragon City” because it burnt down three times. Mountains. Baltic Sea. Baltic Sea! She has sweet boots on. Went Xtreme camping with Germans in a forest. Ate noodles by a lake. Jumped in a melted glacier. “That was so cool.” Literally. Ha.
Katie: Pune, India. Class in film. Sensing a trend here. Rode an elephant. Had some girl power time.
Malyssa: San Jose, Costa Rica. Read a great list which will be posted here soon. Took $2 out of the ATM on her first day because she’s not used to being a millionaire. Was drugged by her host mom.
Jackie: Bangor, Wales. 30k town/10k university enrollment. Took a class in scriptwriting. What? Involved with BBC-Wales. Drove through World’s End. Got knocked to the ground by some beastly wind on a Welsh mountain.
Nathan: Ghana. His university had 75-90,000 students enrolled. Took classes in theater. What is this? Drummed, danced, traveled. Went to Burkina Faso. “Mali-wood” movies. Rode a camel, slept with goats. Bob says, “That sounds very kinky.”
Kevin: Sweden. Lived in a cottage in the woods. Shovelled many “metres” of snow. Got robbed in Spain. Hung out with nice English-speaking Dutch people who had a car. Sweden sounds exciting.
And that, my friends, is it.
Bob handed out tickets to see Jared Diamond speak on Tuesday night. For those not in the know (ie: me until a few days ago), he’s a professor of geography and physiology and UCLA and won the Pulitzer for Guns, Germs and Steel, “a short history about everyone for the last 13,000 years.” Should be interesting at the very least.
It seems that the Peterson recycling system is now “sort of going.” It gets picked up Thursday morning and Tuesday afternoon.
There have recently been complaints about the quality of the WC non-home-roasted coffee (the stuff we get from the freezer, which are cheap beans from Sam’s Club). Some of the complaints may have come from me. We are now getting them from Coffee Klatch, a company in California – the blend is “Bourbon Supremo.” Ezra says the new coffee is actually pretty good.
In honor of this, we will, for the first time ever, be introducing three (3) coffee pots. Whoa. Prices have also gone up to 80 cents per cup. Bob reminds us that because these fancy beans are twice as expensive as the old variety, we might try to be reasonably conservative in our use.
An interesting thing: A student at the University of Iowa is doing his doctoral dissertation specifically on conferencing at the Coe Writing Center. His focus will be on what happens after the conference ends. You’ll be getting questionnaires in your mailbox, which you can fill out if you want.
Willie took one of my five remaining Lucky Charms marshmallows, but makes up for the theft with another interesting fact: she says that both Lucky Charms and Cap’n’Crunch cereals are illegal in the E.U. because they contain some sort of sinister substance. Well.
You can now win prizes. Prizes! There are many varieties of prizes being given out, to both consultants and writers, and the trick to winning them is…do a lot of conferences. Prizes are bookstore gift certificates and dinner coupons to the Lighthouse Inn, which is supposedly the oldest restaurant in CR, and the place where Al Capone ate when he was in town. Bob says they make the best ribs he’s ever eaten. It’s my birthday next week: anyone want to take me out for dinner?
Um, there’s a new remote for the non-functioning tv. You can use it to watch DVDs if you can decode the elaborate system of button-pressing involved in operating the remote. Ask Melissa for more details.
Then we came to the main portion of the evening. You read that right. We haven’t even gotten to the main part of the meeting: the Study Abroad Panel. Here’s a brief(ish) rundown of the conversation:
Willie: Sweden. Classes about movies. Her town is called “Dragon City” because it burnt down three times. Mountains. Baltic Sea. Baltic Sea! She has sweet boots on. Went Xtreme camping with Germans in a forest. Ate noodles by a lake. Jumped in a melted glacier. “That was so cool.” Literally. Ha.
Katie: Pune, India. Class in film. Sensing a trend here. Rode an elephant. Had some girl power time.
Malyssa: San Jose, Costa Rica. Read a great list which will be posted here soon. Took $2 out of the ATM on her first day because she’s not used to being a millionaire. Was drugged by her host mom.
Jackie: Bangor, Wales. 30k town/10k university enrollment. Took a class in scriptwriting. What? Involved with BBC-Wales. Drove through World’s End. Got knocked to the ground by some beastly wind on a Welsh mountain.
Nathan: Ghana. His university had 75-90,000 students enrolled. Took classes in theater. What is this? Drummed, danced, traveled. Went to Burkina Faso. “Mali-wood” movies. Rode a camel, slept with goats. Bob says, “That sounds very kinky.”
Kevin: Sweden. Lived in a cottage in the woods. Shovelled many “metres” of snow. Got robbed in Spain. Hung out with nice English-speaking Dutch people who had a car. Sweden sounds exciting.
And that, my friends, is it.
oh, yes
This year's freshman class: je vous adorez. Or whatever the Italian for that is. The point is that Ariel, Emily and Ann are hosting a Writing Center dinner and movie night. Not just any dinner, oh no. Not pizza, not Zio's, not even chili (although chili is very nice, indeed). They are making homemade lasagne (carnivorous and vegitarious), with salad, bread and root beer floats.
Let me repeat: homemade lasagna. root beer floats.
Plus, a showing of the Princess Bride. It will be like having a romantic date with the whole WC. Be there or be sad and alone. Come on, don't pretend you've got better things to do.
This Wednesday, the 4th, at 6pm in the Writing Center.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
not skimping
This was quite a succinct meeting. I am not just skimping on the minutes.
Bob says: Go to see Jared Diamond. If there aren't enough people left working in the WC during the presentation, it's okay to close it down for the duration. Next Tuesday, 7:20pm. Tickets are $5 for students.
Dinner was "Peruvian chicken." The secret ingredients were cinnamon and squirt.
We are advised not to totally ostracize the Speaking Center people. Ie: be nice. And does everyone know about the weird moisturizing hand wax heating thing they have in there? It's an experience.
On Feb. 4th at 6pm one of the committees (social activities?) is hosting a WC dinner. On the menu is homemade lasagna. Ezra says, "I hope they can cook." I bet they can.
We split into committee groups and discussed plans for the semester. If you missed the meeting, find the rest of your group to catch up.
Finally, something loud and apparently hilarious happened involving Justin Lord, Andrew Klingler, and a bowl full of spaghetti.
Over and out.
Bob says: Go to see Jared Diamond. If there aren't enough people left working in the WC during the presentation, it's okay to close it down for the duration. Next Tuesday, 7:20pm. Tickets are $5 for students.
Dinner was "Peruvian chicken." The secret ingredients were cinnamon and squirt.
We are advised not to totally ostracize the Speaking Center people. Ie: be nice. And does everyone know about the weird moisturizing hand wax heating thing they have in there? It's an experience.
On Feb. 4th at 6pm one of the committees (social activities?) is hosting a WC dinner. On the menu is homemade lasagna. Ezra says, "I hope they can cook." I bet they can.
We split into committee groups and discussed plans for the semester. If you missed the meeting, find the rest of your group to catch up.
Finally, something loud and apparently hilarious happened involving Justin Lord, Andrew Klingler, and a bowl full of spaghetti.
Over and out.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Year's Last Meeting
As is traditional for the last meeting of the year, graduating WCers shared their favorite moments and memories of their time in the Writing Center.
-Leigh advises us all to “get married.” Her most memorable experience was getting cited for indecent exposure in Las Vegas. We should all be so lucky.
-Dave is absent. Dave? Dave? Well, happy graduation and all that.
Sort-of graduates going abroad next semester:
Heather tells us that crazy things happen in the WC after hours. Something about rolling around in tubes?
Patricia has no memorable moments. Shame on you, Patricia! But, you know, bon voyage.
Scheduling forms for next semester were handed out. You’re advised to hand yours in to Bob by Friday afternoon. Try to be flexible when indicating preferred hours.
For the rest of the term: you’re responsible for your hours until Wednesday’s closing – if you’re leaving early, be sure to get someone to fill your shift. Thursday will be staffed via signup sheet on the front desk.
And now, the long-awaited Topics Film Festival. Oh, yes.
-Julia Child is apparently not in the house, which is too bad, since I have a special affection for Mrs. Child. Has anyone read her quasi-autobiography, My Life in France? It’s okay.
-Things get off to a magnificent start with the “greatest film ever made about coffee roasting in the writing center.” Emily, Hilary and Andrew Boone take us painstakingly through the coffee roasting process. Amazingly, it is very entertaining, indeed, and well served by the addition of beanbags. Some embarrassing moments for Andrew. I learned that roasting coffee beans involves many, many steps, and basically takes forever. Roasters have gained much respect from me.
-Next film involves Jordan and Ezra in some sort of travel show thing. I don’t know what’s going on. WC as South American biosphere, I guess? Ezra is a sciency guy, and he does a field study of the WC speaking in a scary, raspy whisper.
-These films are much more creative than I would have had the energy to produce, were I in topics. Just a thought.
-Film 3: WC, Celebrity edition, starring Lindsay Lohan, Albert Einstein and Luke Skywalker engaged in conferences. Ellen Burns has a sweet light saber.
-Film 4 (the chronology of these might be off, as the notes were recorded on both sides of a pretty small envelope): An untitled piece detailing the many, boring roles of the Frog: dishwashing, coffee maintenance, hiding in the library. Starring Holly and a very unenthusiastic Marie.
-Film 5: Jack and DC: The Grammar Question. After explication by Joe, we understand that this is a parody of a computer commercial. The moral: we do grammar conferences. You can watch it over and over again on YouTube. Maybe afterwards you’d like to see a few recordings of church services in Amsterdam?
-Film 6: WC as house of ill repute. Leta does a little shimmy as the Beeeeaver. No sloppy seconds for her. Grant as sloth gets some action. Later, in real life (not the video), he references his heritage in the “Club Dub,” by flashing uncomfortable (for me) hand gestures.
-Film 7: The puppet show! Finally! There is a lion, a very cutely accented frog with a beret (get it? cause ‘frog’ is a funny name for frenchies?), and some other adorable puppet creatures going about daily WC tasks.
-Film 8: Just as the last of us stragglers are about the walk out of this, the longest WC meeting ever, the last video plays. Theme is “cooking in the writing center,” but what you really need to know is that Andrew Klingler is featured as Julia Child, hump, monoboob, clown makeup, gobbly accent and all. Well worth the wait.
That's it,
Jenna
-Be sure to bid "bon voyage" to the following consultants going off-campus next semester:
Heather, Patricia, Emily, Holly B., Kacie, Andy J., Chris (Asia Term), Vaclav (Greece), Joe (NY Term), Kelly (Washington, D.C.)
-If I forgot you, don't feel bad - I'm forgetful. Leave a comment and your name will be added.
-Leigh advises us all to “get married.” Her most memorable experience was getting cited for indecent exposure in Las Vegas. We should all be so lucky.
-Dave is absent. Dave? Dave? Well, happy graduation and all that.
Sort-of graduates going abroad next semester:
Heather tells us that crazy things happen in the WC after hours. Something about rolling around in tubes?
Patricia has no memorable moments. Shame on you, Patricia! But, you know, bon voyage.
Scheduling forms for next semester were handed out. You’re advised to hand yours in to Bob by Friday afternoon. Try to be flexible when indicating preferred hours.
For the rest of the term: you’re responsible for your hours until Wednesday’s closing – if you’re leaving early, be sure to get someone to fill your shift. Thursday will be staffed via signup sheet on the front desk.
And now, the long-awaited Topics Film Festival. Oh, yes.
-Julia Child is apparently not in the house, which is too bad, since I have a special affection for Mrs. Child. Has anyone read her quasi-autobiography, My Life in France? It’s okay.
-Things get off to a magnificent start with the “greatest film ever made about coffee roasting in the writing center.” Emily, Hilary and Andrew Boone take us painstakingly through the coffee roasting process. Amazingly, it is very entertaining, indeed, and well served by the addition of beanbags. Some embarrassing moments for Andrew. I learned that roasting coffee beans involves many, many steps, and basically takes forever. Roasters have gained much respect from me.
-Next film involves Jordan and Ezra in some sort of travel show thing. I don’t know what’s going on. WC as South American biosphere, I guess? Ezra is a sciency guy, and he does a field study of the WC speaking in a scary, raspy whisper.
-These films are much more creative than I would have had the energy to produce, were I in topics. Just a thought.
-Film 3: WC, Celebrity edition, starring Lindsay Lohan, Albert Einstein and Luke Skywalker engaged in conferences. Ellen Burns has a sweet light saber.
-Film 4 (the chronology of these might be off, as the notes were recorded on both sides of a pretty small envelope): An untitled piece detailing the many, boring roles of the Frog: dishwashing, coffee maintenance, hiding in the library. Starring Holly and a very unenthusiastic Marie.
-Film 5: Jack and DC: The Grammar Question. After explication by Joe, we understand that this is a parody of a computer commercial. The moral: we do grammar conferences. You can watch it over and over again on YouTube. Maybe afterwards you’d like to see a few recordings of church services in Amsterdam?
-Film 6: WC as house of ill repute. Leta does a little shimmy as the Beeeeaver. No sloppy seconds for her. Grant as sloth gets some action. Later, in real life (not the video), he references his heritage in the “Club Dub,” by flashing uncomfortable (for me) hand gestures.
-Film 7: The puppet show! Finally! There is a lion, a very cutely accented frog with a beret (get it? cause ‘frog’ is a funny name for frenchies?), and some other adorable puppet creatures going about daily WC tasks.
-Film 8: Just as the last of us stragglers are about the walk out of this, the longest WC meeting ever, the last video plays. Theme is “cooking in the writing center,” but what you really need to know is that Andrew Klingler is featured as Julia Child, hump, monoboob, clown makeup, gobbly accent and all. Well worth the wait.
That's it,
Jenna
-Be sure to bid "bon voyage" to the following consultants going off-campus next semester:
Heather, Patricia, Emily, Holly B., Kacie, Andy J., Chris (Asia Term), Vaclav (Greece), Joe (NY Term), Kelly (Washington, D.C.)
-If I forgot you, don't feel bad - I'm forgetful. Leave a comment and your name will be added.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
support your peeps
There are two important events which you are requested to attend this week: Sakinah and Nina are giving science-y senior presentation things today and tomorrow, and they want your support to diffuse actual questions from actual biologists. So. You should all attend.
Sakinah: Today (Tues) at 4:00 in Stuart 203
Nina: Tomorrow (Wed) at 4:30 in SH 203.
Also - thanks to everyone who sent me headache-diffusing tips. They all sound exciting and I'll probably try them in the future (though a reasonable night's sleep worked for me yesterday). And sorry for embarrassing you, Grant.
Sakinah: Today (Tues) at 4:00 in Stuart 203
Nina: Tomorrow (Wed) at 4:30 in SH 203.
Also - thanks to everyone who sent me headache-diffusing tips. They all sound exciting and I'll probably try them in the future (though a reasonable night's sleep worked for me yesterday). And sorry for embarrassing you, Grant.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
turechek tomorrow
FYI:
The Turechek Symposium for Off-campus study is tomorrow. There will be a panel of returning students, Q&A, poster sessions, and probably hors d'oeuvres (well, Sodexho lemonade and cookies, but still). If you're thinking about studying off-campus, have studied off-campus, or just want some free food, then come to Upper Gage between 2:00-4:00 tomorrow (Friday).
--Jenna
The Turechek Symposium for Off-campus study is tomorrow. There will be a panel of returning students, Q&A, poster sessions, and probably hors d'oeuvres (well, Sodexho lemonade and cookies, but still). If you're thinking about studying off-campus, have studied off-campus, or just want some free food, then come to Upper Gage between 2:00-4:00 tomorrow (Friday).
--Jenna
Friday, September 12, 2008
FD Reeve is the bomb
F.D. Reeve, on dealing with problems by being a poet:
"I have to write. If you can solve your problems by drinking, do."
Reeve came to the Writing Center and gave a brief lecture this last Thursday. He also read some of his poems. The guy was down to earth. Refreshingly so - he didn't wax sentimental or poetic about being a poet. He didn't strike me as someone who was just literary, with no foot in the real world.
He has a sense of humor, he listened, was easy to talk to. You didn't feel like he was lording anything over you. There wasn't a trace of condescension when he talked, no pretense of knowing the great secrets of writing. He wasn't trendy.
His advice on overcoming writer's block was to drink, and if that didn't work, to translate something into English from another language. Weird. Fantastic.
- Leta
"I have to write. If you can solve your problems by drinking, do."
Reeve came to the Writing Center and gave a brief lecture this last Thursday. He also read some of his poems. The guy was down to earth. Refreshingly so - he didn't wax sentimental or poetic about being a poet. He didn't strike me as someone who was just literary, with no foot in the real world.
He has a sense of humor, he listened, was easy to talk to. You didn't feel like he was lording anything over you. There wasn't a trace of condescension when he talked, no pretense of knowing the great secrets of writing. He wasn't trendy.
His advice on overcoming writer's block was to drink, and if that didn't work, to translate something into English from another language. Weird. Fantastic.
- Leta
Monday, September 8, 2008
aladdin recap
as leta noted, dinner last night at aladdin was a jolly old time. here's some pictoral evidence:
Sunday, September 7, 2008
fine dining
So the first "Dining with the Director" event was pretty fantastic.
I wasn't sure what to expect from this outing - discussion of Writing Center theories and practices? Or maybe brainstorming ways to make the Writing Center better?
What actually transpired was this:
Dr Bob and his wife showed up at the Writing Center in their space-age minivan (the doors open at the touch of a button! Okay, so not really that new or exciting ...) and Jenna, Ezra, Johanna, Chris, and myself piled in. We drove to Aladdin Restaurant and ordered an assortment of appetizers.
As we ate off of comically small plates (the saucers that came with Jenna and Johanna's tea were larger), we really did just sit and talk. About nothing in particular, really (Ezra: "It makes you alert!" - regarding coffee in the morning). It felt more like a meal between friends, rather than a business meeting. It was just ... satisfying, and fun. It was good to get off campus with fellow consultants and Dr Bob.
I don't mean to get all warm and fuzzy here, but it was neat to sit there and see how the past few years have brought us together. We've had so many shared experiences, most of them through the Writing Center.
I'm not sure if this evening went exactly as Dr Bob had planned, but I'm gonna call it a success.
And to echo Jenna's earlier post: spots are still open for breakfast at the Butterfly Cafe on Thursday morning - the sign up sheet is posted on Dr Bob's door. What are you waiting for?
- Leta
I wasn't sure what to expect from this outing - discussion of Writing Center theories and practices? Or maybe brainstorming ways to make the Writing Center better?
What actually transpired was this:
Dr Bob and his wife showed up at the Writing Center in their space-age minivan (the doors open at the touch of a button! Okay, so not really that new or exciting ...) and Jenna, Ezra, Johanna, Chris, and myself piled in. We drove to Aladdin Restaurant and ordered an assortment of appetizers.
As we ate off of comically small plates (the saucers that came with Jenna and Johanna's tea were larger), we really did just sit and talk. About nothing in particular, really (Ezra: "It makes you alert!" - regarding coffee in the morning). It felt more like a meal between friends, rather than a business meeting. It was just ... satisfying, and fun. It was good to get off campus with fellow consultants and Dr Bob.
I don't mean to get all warm and fuzzy here, but it was neat to sit there and see how the past few years have brought us together. We've had so many shared experiences, most of them through the Writing Center.
I'm not sure if this evening went exactly as Dr Bob had planned, but I'm gonna call it a success.
And to echo Jenna's earlier post: spots are still open for breakfast at the Butterfly Cafe on Thursday morning - the sign up sheet is posted on Dr Bob's door. What are you waiting for?
- Leta
p.s.
There are still some graham crackers and off-brand marshmallows in the WC pantry left over from the retreat. Spread peanut butter on the graham crackers. Microwave marshmallow 7 secs. Smoosh together. Quasi-s'more deliciousness.
And...change of plans for this week's meeting. Tomorrow (Monday) night, the Writing Fellows will be meeting in the WC at 6:00. At 6:30, the people going to the conference in Las Vegas (departure, Wed. Oct. 29) will meet, also in the WC.
Topics will meet regularly on Monday and Tuesday.
Aaaand...a special event. This Thursday at 4:00pm the WC is hosting a reception for a visiting writer, the novelist and poet F.D. Reeve. A short reading followed by a q&a session; the event shouldn't last longer than an hour-and-a-half. Sign-up sheet on the desk. Be there!
Finally, there are still spots open for dinner at Aladdin tonight and breakfast at the Butterfly Cafe on Thursday. Sign-up on Bob's door. Seriously, who passes up on college-subsidized, off-campus meals?
--Jenna
Shameless plug: If you're interested in becoming a part of the illustrious Coe Review staff, come to our meeting this Monday at 7:00pm, 3rd floor of Hickok (Chuck Aukema's office). We'll start packeting and reading this week.
And...change of plans for this week's meeting. Tomorrow (Monday) night, the Writing Fellows will be meeting in the WC at 6:00. At 6:30, the people going to the conference in Las Vegas (departure, Wed. Oct. 29) will meet, also in the WC.
Topics will meet regularly on Monday and Tuesday.
Aaaand...a special event. This Thursday at 4:00pm the WC is hosting a reception for a visiting writer, the novelist and poet F.D. Reeve. A short reading followed by a q&a session; the event shouldn't last longer than an hour-and-a-half. Sign-up sheet on the desk. Be there!
Finally, there are still spots open for dinner at Aladdin tonight and breakfast at the Butterfly Cafe on Thursday. Sign-up on Bob's door. Seriously, who passes up on college-subsidized, off-campus meals?
--Jenna
Shameless plug: If you're interested in becoming a part of the illustrious Coe Review staff, come to our meeting this Monday at 7:00pm, 3rd floor of Hickok (Chuck Aukema's office). We'll start packeting and reading this week.
yummy
A few changes in the WC (current consultants should have received an email).
Attached to the door separating the two main rooms is a small white board split into days of the week. At the beginning of our shifts we're supposed to consult this board to check for requested tasks. Easy enough.
You'll notice that the logbook looks different - TR shifts are being split by the half-hour, and you write your name as well as initial the beginning of your shift. Very easy.
Orchid forms are also being adjusted slightly - the database will now feature a template so you don't waste time entering the same thing over and over. Especially useful for Writing Fellows. Bob writes:
For those of you who are Writing Fellows or planning to do a bunch of conferences for students from the same class, you can load that template, enter in your name as the consultant, fill out other data common to all the students (such as name of instructor and course title), and print out your own orchid forms. No need that your copies must be on orchid paper, but it would be nice if you could aim for your forms to retain the size and shape of the forms we currently use (thus making our filing system a bit neater). I will also bring to the Writing Center and place in the bottom drawer of the filing cabinet on which our main printer rests some orchid-colored paper, for those of you who want your personal forms to fit with the tradition.
And my very favorite of the new changes to the WC is...dining with the director. Yes! Every week, Bob will be taking five consutants, including at least two newbies (first come, first served), out for a meal off campus for an hour of chatting and chomping. Participation is totally optional, and you can attend multiple meals on the town, dates and times will vary. The first dinner is this Sunday (today!) at 6pm at Aladdin. Next Thursday at 7.30am (!) will be the Butterfly Cafe. Yum.
Also, our green-thumbed director recently donated some fabulous produce to the free-for-all wc fund: baby cucumbers, crispy-fresh green beans, and two of the biggest summer squash I've ever seen. I'm thinking...zucchini bread. Any other suggestions?
-- Jenna
Attached to the door separating the two main rooms is a small white board split into days of the week. At the beginning of our shifts we're supposed to consult this board to check for requested tasks. Easy enough.
You'll notice that the logbook looks different - TR shifts are being split by the half-hour, and you write your name as well as initial the beginning of your shift. Very easy.
Orchid forms are also being adjusted slightly - the database will now feature a template so you don't waste time entering the same thing over and over. Especially useful for Writing Fellows. Bob writes:
For those of you who are Writing Fellows or planning to do a bunch of conferences for students from the same class, you can load that template, enter in your name as the consultant, fill out other data common to all the students (such as name of instructor and course title), and print out your own orchid forms. No need that your copies must be on orchid paper, but it would be nice if you could aim for your forms to retain the size and shape of the forms we currently use (thus making our filing system a bit neater). I will also bring to the Writing Center and place in the bottom drawer of the filing cabinet on which our main printer rests some orchid-colored paper, for those of you who want your personal forms to fit with the tradition.
And my very favorite of the new changes to the WC is...dining with the director. Yes! Every week, Bob will be taking five consutants, including at least two newbies (first come, first served), out for a meal off campus for an hour of chatting and chomping. Participation is totally optional, and you can attend multiple meals on the town, dates and times will vary. The first dinner is this Sunday (today!) at 6pm at Aladdin. Next Thursday at 7.30am (!) will be the Butterfly Cafe. Yum.
Also, our green-thumbed director recently donated some fabulous produce to the free-for-all wc fund: baby cucumbers, crispy-fresh green beans, and two of the biggest summer squash I've ever seen. I'm thinking...zucchini bread. Any other suggestions?
-- Jenna
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)