Attending the MWCA Conference

NOTE: This is a previously written post just published a little later. 

It's that wonderful time of year again: the weather is starting to get colder, college students are being driven insane by midterms, and the first writing center conferences are taking place! Just this past week, our own writing center had the privilege of attending the Midwest Writing Centers Association, or MWCA, conference in Skokie, Illinois. The actual event took place from October 17 to the 19, and the topic was all about "writing the L." The "L," which stands for elevated, is the rapid transit system providing transportation to Chicago and some of the surrounding suburbs. Here's my abridged run down of my experiences at the conference.

Being a freshman, I really didn't have any idea what to expect. All I knew was that I had to attend some presentations and give one myself. I was pretty nervous, but once the conference started into full swing, I felt more at home. The first presentation I attended was a three part session focusing on ESL learners and the struggles that both they and writing centers face. The first presentation, which was called "ESL Writers: Listen to Us!" was about a focus group that did research on the struggles, expectations, and emotions of ESL learners. One of the most interesting things I learned from that presentation was that most ESL learners wish to be graded on the same scale that native speakers are. I would have thought the opposite to be true. The second presentation dealt with the rapid expansion of foreign exchange students and the best efforts of a writing center to keep up. It was interesting to hear about how they were adapting to deal with the situation. The last presentation was about a grammar log experiment that identified the grammar issues ESL students struggle with the most.

I also attended an interesting round table session about high school writing centers, hosted by a teacher and students from the University of Illinois Laboratory High School. It was really neat to here how some high schools are already implementing writing centers into their curriculum. Their center has been open for two years, and they are only open for about 40 minutes on Fridays. While they obviously have a different set of parameters to work with, being a high school, the way they go about conferencing is similar to the CWC. Just like us, they have a strict "no writing on the paper" policy, and they sounded more idea based than simply grammar focused. This session was probably one of my favorites.

Attending a conference also means presenting one ourselves! 10 consultants, including myself, and Doctor Bob held a round table session focusing on the hiring process here at the CWC. We spent the first 20 minutes or so explaining the three main ways you can get hired: the first year competition, the phone interviews, and the "everyone who's not a freshman" method. I focused mostly on the competition, being a first year. Specifically, I talked about the writing exercise and mock conference we participated in. I was actually sitting next to the person I conferenced, none other than Anton Jones! After we finished with our section, we opened the floor up for other writing centers to comment on their hiring processes. Instead, we got asked a lot of question about anything and everything CWC. While it didn't go exactly as planned, I feel like it was still a successful presentation, especially for my first one!

Initially, I wasn't sure what to expect from this conference, but I am super glad that I went! I had a lot of fun and I learned a lot about other writing centers. Before this, I had this naive belief that all writing centers worked like ours. Obviously, that's not the case! I also feel that I have a better sense of my job here in the writing center. This was definitely a good decision on my part. Can't wait for the next conference!

Stay classy,

Brittney

Winter Break Update

So maybe the blog writers here were taking "winter hibernation" kind of literally in terms of updating the blog.

Whoops!

But, in our defense, with the end of the semester, finals, and figuring out the always inconsistent Iowa weather, we seemed to have quite a lot on our plates. So much on those figurative plates, I might add, we resorted to everyone wearing flannel to stay warm...

Okay, you've got me, it was intentional (blame, thank the Phi Taus for their annual Lumberjack Fest). Still made for a neat photo! 

So now we're all on break, enjoying a life without readings, Moodle postings, Orchid forms, and Sunday Meals (wait, I'm definitely missing those Sunday Meals!). Now that our adrenaline from taking finals has settled down, we've decompressed, we are ready to look back on 2013 and prepare for 2014. In that spirit, the blog team has revamped the blog a little. 

If you look across the top of the page, you'll see some tabs. Click on them! Many have been updated. Yeah! They are still in the works, but it's a start. And all you need is a start. 

In terms of posts before classes start up again in January, expect a few older posts recapping first semester events along with a special series starting the beginning of January. Brittney, one of our blog writers, is headed to Tybee Island. I won't give away the trip (she has an excellent post coming up soon), but I will let you in on her providing some live updates. 

Once school is back in session, the blog team hopes to begin posting with some regularity. We will have some weekly features, hoping to bring you readers back to our site at least once a week. We're also in the process of some serious brainstorming to create some neat series about aspects of the Writing Center and us as consultants. 

So stay tuned, you won't want to miss this blog in 2014! 

P.S. For some fun, check out the 12 Weirdest Stories of Christmas over at the Huffington Post. Our own WC consultant, Laura Farmer, is featured (she's number 10). 

WC Centaurs Represent on the 2013 Homecoming Court

Hello hello! Hailley is back for another exciting blog post.

This past weekend, Coe celebrated its 100th Homecoming. Campus was a buzz with alums, all coming back to see old friends, professors, and the campus that they love. It was good to see familiar faces and also good to meet some alums who had their own version of Coe to share with us.

A staple of Coe's Homecoming is the traditional Homecoming Court. All Coe students were emailed a list of all eligible seniors and had to vote on five males and five females. Those winners made up the 2013 Homecoming Court.

The Writing Center had a hearty representation on this year's court. First up, Anna Barton, from St. Paul, Minnesota. Then, William "Kobe" Spencer from Racine, Wisconsin and finally, me, from good old Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin.

Our Homecoming obligations were mainly during the second half of the week. We performed a short act for our Homecoming variety show on Thursday night, called Kohawk Rock. Kobe did his best impersonation of Beyonce's "Love on Top," while Anna ran through her time on campus, and I did a top ten list of Coe College Rebellions. What I loved about my skit was that I was able to incorporate many WC consultants who helped to act out these rebellions.

Friday night we had our coronation and the Writing Center once again has a king in our midst. Kobe was crowed king and according to Dr. Bob, this is our second king. Must be something about being a consultant that corresponds to winning the crown.

The Coronation. Hailley is five from left, Kobe has the crown, and Anna is the one on the far right. From Coe's Facebook page.

 The week ended with the parade, football game, and dance on Saturday. I would say fun was had by all. With midterms behind us, the papers are creeping up so I expect the WC to be hopping from now until at least Thanksgiving Break. Of course, we might also see increased traffic as students come to honor our king, but we'll just have to wait and see!

At the football game. From Coe's Facebook page.

- Hailley

Looking Forward: Tampa

Two years ago, I went to a writing center conference in Miami. It involved late night swimming in the ocean, collecting seashells, and finding out the beach chair I had been using for two hours was supposedly for rent, at $10 an hour. Oops. And of course, it involved actually learning about different writing centers across the U.S. Writing Centers came in all shapes and sizes; they were large, small, appointment-based or accommodating to drop-ins, but most of all they were full of interesting people. This year’s conference, the National Council of Peer Tutors in Writing Conference (NCPTW) will be held in Tampa Bay, Florida from October 31^st to November 2^nd. The theme is “Year of the Writer” which encourages us to think about our role as tutees, and we have five research groups presenting on subjects related to that theme, such as the balance of work and play and the dynamics of friendships as coworkers. I won’t be heading to Florida this year, but I hope everyone has a great time- remember to bring back stellar ideas for our writing center, to meet new people, and to bring back souvenirs for those of us hanging out back in Cedar Rapids.

-Deidre

We're going to Chicago!

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

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

First Year Orientation

     It began in late August. The vans loaded with everything from desk lamps, to gaming systems to futons were making their way to little old Coe College. Perhaps the most important cargo, the new first year students, were feeling everything from anxiety to jubilation. Some had traveled from far away states and even other countries while others simply had to drive down the road for a couple of minutes. They and their parents took copious amounts of time moving into their new homes and it seemed like the parents would not leave until everything was perfect. Tears were shed, hugs passed around, and after Mom and Dad left, naps were taken. Unbeknownst to the unsuspecting first years, the hard part was still to come.
     Over the course of the next week the first years' schedules would be brimming with CAP meetings, social gatherings, academic advising, and guest speakers. Amongst the CAP groups, first years formed their first new bonds of the year becoming close with those they would be taking class and participating in activities with. The guest speakers were outstanding with presenters like the wonderful Maura Cullen and the humorous Shot of Reality duo. Everyone bunched together in front of Stewart Memorial Library for the first year photo and through some miracle, we overcame the stifling heat and shouted obscenities to take the photo. Maybe the highlight of Orientation Week was the ringing of the Victory Bell. I know that for me, that was the first time that I truly felt a part of the Kohawk Community. It was a wonderful moment stuffed with school pride and spirit.
 Soon Friday came and it was time for the gladiatorial throw-down for fall classes. We all stood in line waiting and praying that we would get into the classes that we needed. Those with the lower ID numbers basked in their luck as they got to choose their classes before the masses had a chance, while those of us with lower numbers cursed our terrible luck. We all got in eventually though and on Saturday we had the chance to test our mettle against the other CAP groups in the legendary DRAGONBOAT RACES!!!!! While trash-talk was abound only one team could come out on top and all others were forced to walk away in shame.
     After the races, it was a downhill slide through the weekend as we anxiously awaited the beginning of classes on Monday. The Writing Center (whoop whoop!) had their retreat which was a treat. Sports teams continued practice and groups began meeting and planning. The fall semester has begun.
                                                                                                                              


                                                                                                                     Your faithful correspondent,
                                                                                                                                    Austin Springsteen

The Bloggers Are Back!

Hello readers!

We're back. The school year has begun, the coffee beans are being roasted, and those writers are finally coming in for some conferences for their first papers of the semester. The WC has welcomed back familiar centaurs and many newbies have joined the crew. It's Dr. Bob's last year (woah!) and so we're helping him go out with a BAM.

So we're the blog team. Our goal this semester is at least weekly posts and a new major changes to the layout of the blog. Check back for pages going across the top of the blog, directing you to even more information. We'll update the links and make sure you're informed with all the exciting things happening in the WC. Finally, you'll have a chance to get to meet us, our bloggers, and other fellow consultants.

Get ready for an awesome year!

- The Blogsters