Thanks to a heavy emphasis on technology and a semester filled with workshops, the Stone Writing Center has exceeded 10,000 visits from students this semester.
“We’re very proud of that, and we feel it,” said Margot Sorrell, who works at the center, aka The Fourth. “We’ve been so extremely busy. We have students here when we open up to when we close the doors.”
Because of the increased demand in both in-person and online tutoring sessions conducted through Canvas, the writing center also plans to offer Twilight Tutoring as students get ready for finals. The center will be open until 9 p.m. Dec. 7 
“Right before finals a lot of students like to come because it builds their confidence,” Sorrell said. “They can meet with a professional who can help and support them.”
With 10 tutors, student assistants and a plethora of technology all around, the Stone Writing Center is a place where students can head for support and instruction for all their writing needs.
“We really want students to know that our mission is to help,” Sorrell said. “There’s a negative connotation of tutoring, but this is a positive atmosphere. At all stages of writing, we can help … from beginning to end and in between.”
The Stone Writing Center has become a more popular place to work in part because of an emphasis on technology and using devices as tools in writing. Students can come in and check out devices such as laptops and tablets to work on, or they can take a spot at one of many computers the center has. Students are also encouraged to bring their own technology into the lab.
Online resources of the Stone Writing Center include not only tutoring, but a collection of handouts featuring help for many aspects of writing. In addition, there’s a “Roxy Writer” blog that features tips on writing.
“If they didn’t have all these services, students would fall behind,” student Victor Rojas said. “It’s not just that they help, the people are nice, and they accommodate us and make us feel welcome. If you need help, look for it. Never give up. The lab is free, might as well take advantage of that, and utilize it.”
The Stone Writing Center is on the fourth floor of the White Library and is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Follow them on Twitter @theSWC.
