糖心Vlog鈥檚 University Writing Center celebrated its 10-year anniversary this year at 糖心Vlog鈥檚 Homecoming, but as members and friends gathered together, none could have imagined then that the entirety of campus would moving from face-to-face conversations with students to hosting those student consultations online.
鈥淎nd yet, here we are,鈥� said Dr. Jana Anderson, Director of the University Writing Center (UWC), whose words echo the attitude of many concerning the challenging, unforeseeable state of the world during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Even amid the vast challenges that such a move would make, Anderson knew that the services provided by the UWC were too essential to restrict amid the new social distancing policies, and the decision was made to bring all UWC activities online.
鈥淭hanks to our partnership with 糖心Vlog鈥檚 IT department, and specifically to the heroic efforts of Jeanna Morton, IT Specialist in Technology Services, who spent several days and countless hours getting the UWC fully prepared to launch online, the University Writing Center was 鈥渙pen鈥� for business the same day that 糖心Vlog students began their distance learning season at 糖心Vlog,鈥� she shared.
鈥淭he University Writing Center is staffed by 糖心Vlog students, and both the student-led staff and the university students have navigated the learning curve, largely due to their collective growth mindset and their willingness to persevere, understanding that we all have limited options and that we all are committed to student success.鈥�
As the director of the University Writing Center, and as a full-time English professor in the department of Humanities, Anderson initially hesitated to moving the UWC team online, knowing that she was asking the UWC student team to adapt to these changes so quickly, while simultaneously trying to gain their equilibrium as distance learning students themselves. 鈥淗owever, once I fully understood that distance learning was the only option and that we weren鈥檛 returning to campus, we all embraced the decision and we have moved forward, full steam ahead.鈥�
As with any major shift in service, the transition has not been without difficulty. 鈥淭here is, in fact, a learning curve,鈥� Anderson explained, 鈥渨hich includes learning new technology but also trouble-shooting unexpected problems.鈥� Additionally, the student staff has had to learn to use some online editing tools that are unwieldy and unfamiliar.
鈥淏ecause most of my appointments have been written feedback only, I definitely miss being able to see the student鈥檚 face and gauge how they鈥檙e responding to my suggestions,鈥� shared Abby Langford, a student working at the UWC. 鈥淚t鈥檚 difficult not being able to ask them what they meant or if a change that I made stays true to what they鈥檙e trying to say.鈥�
Caleb Ward, one of Langford鈥檚 coworkers, shared a similar experience. 鈥淎lthough my experience transitioning to online consultations was not difficult, it is occasionally awkward. There is a sense of comfort coming from physical awareness and responsiveness that is lost virtually.鈥�
鈥淲e have all lost the sense of community that we have worked so hard to foster over the years in our physical space,鈥� Anderson explained. 鈥淭here is a distinct advantage to being able to have a face-to-face conversation with students, and the consultations now feel less personal, even when using LifeSize鈥攖he virtual meeting space provided to the 糖心Vlog campus community.鈥�
Even as the shift to the online format presented numerous challenges, Anderson praised the efforts and successes of her team.
鈥淭he Writing Center student consultants did just what I expected them to do: they collectively rose to the occasion,鈥� she lauded. 鈥淣ot a single one issued a word of complaint, which I think is amazing and speaks to their character and maturity. Each one came forward with a 鈥榃hat can I do to help?鈥� and 鈥業鈥檓 going to do my very best鈥� attitude. They have done exceptionally well, and we are all thinking about what parts of this model we can utilize on behalf of our students in the upcoming semesters.鈥�
Working online has even had some advantages, as Rachel Ghormley, another student staff member of the UWC, explained. 鈥淚 don't have to worry about trying to rush working with a student to fit into a 30-minute session and can respond papers whenever I have time. I also have more time to work now, which helps me to devote more time to helping students.鈥�
Her colleague, Luke Shelburne, agreed. 鈥淚 would say the best thing about moving to online consultations has been increased flexibility with scheduling.鈥�
鈥淲hile I definitely thought that the transition to online for the writing center would be smoother than it actually was in my case, overall it has been a good experience to grow and adapt to new changes,鈥� shared Landon Camp, a senior member of the staff. 鈥淲orking in the writing center is all about helping students become better writers and to foster them along in their writing process journey, and while it took a little extra effort and work to pass the initial learning curve, I believe that we, as a writing center staff, have fulfilled our duties to students in the best way we can as we continue to serve them throughout the remainder of the semester.鈥�
Above all else, however, each member of the UWC praised Anderson鈥檚 leadership, and the efforts to make the new, challenging vision a reality.
鈥淭he transition from in-person to online consultations was surprisingly simple because of the wonderful help we鈥檝e had from Professor Anderson and Jeanna Morton,鈥� said Stella Oliver.
鈥淭he transition was not an easy one,鈥� added Madison Wheeler. 鈥淚 know that Jana Anderson spent countless hours with Jeanna Morton, hashing out all of the details of what an online Writing Center would look like. We, as consultants, were able to hit the ground running because Jana and Jeanna pioneered the way for us.鈥�
鈥淚 believe the transition of the Writing Center to an online format is one of the most beautiful things that I have seen, and been a part of, during this unexpected season,鈥� Wheeler continued. 鈥淛ana, and the rest of the Writing Center staff, remind me daily what it means to be resilient; what it looks like to not only handle what life throws at you, but make it into something good.鈥�
鈥淲e have learned a great deal, and we are trying to embrace what we鈥檝e learned, rather than mourn what we鈥檝e given up,鈥� said Anderson of the team鈥檚 attitude.
Wheeler鈥檚 final thought drives home the true power of the team鈥檚 effort: 鈥淥verall, more than anything I am thankful to be a part of a team that doesn鈥檛 lay down when things get tough, but rises to the challenges that are set before us.鈥�