A Farewell to Diagon Alley
By: Dani Fruehan
Last year, we said hello to a new tutoring space: Paterno Library’s “Search Bar.” We were all excited to add dozens of new shifts to our schedules and offer a new walk-in space for students to bring their work.
This year, we welcome a fresh, Penn State Learning makeover. Our tutors walk in to see the reception desk moved against the windows, making our receptionists able to welcome students face-to-face as they enter. To the right, on the Writing Center side, the waiting area pops with vibrant colors and comfortable couches. The window side features cushioned booths with tables for writing, and the opposite side features lounge chairs with built-in outlets. In the middle of it all, and in place of our beloved Diagon Alley, stands a large group table with a monitor, mailboxes, and storage space, where our tutors now sit together while on shift. While we will all miss Diagon Alley and the many memories we made there with our fellow tutors, we welcome this new open concept graciously. We’re now able to see tutees as they enter more easily and show our friendly faces to all the students who enter the space.
By: Dani Fruehan
Last year, we said hello to a new tutoring space: Paterno Library’s “Search Bar.” We were all excited to add dozens of new shifts to our schedules and offer a new walk-in space for students to bring their work.
This year, we welcome a fresh, Penn State Learning makeover. Our tutors walk in to see the reception desk moved against the windows, making our receptionists able to welcome students face-to-face as they enter. To the right, on the Writing Center side, the waiting area pops with vibrant colors and comfortable couches. The window side features cushioned booths with tables for writing, and the opposite side features lounge chairs with built-in outlets. In the middle of it all, and in place of our beloved Diagon Alley, stands a large group table with a monitor, mailboxes, and storage space, where our tutors now sit together while on shift. While we will all miss Diagon Alley and the many memories we made there with our fellow tutors, we welcome this new open concept graciously. We’re now able to see tutees as they enter more easily and show our friendly faces to all the students who enter the space.
When questioned about the new look of our center, Dr. Neill Johnson, Director of Penn State Learning, offers that he’s glad to be rid of our old “drab and dated” furniture. He’s pleased that we are now using the space more efficiently, opening up areas that could be better utilized. This remodel is just a step in a much larger process, however. Plans have been made to move the writing lab into Sparks building to collaborate with language tutoring, lending the entirety of 220 Boucke to the math lab. Because of setbacks in the infrastructure of Sparks building, we may not see a change of writing center location for quite a while. In the meantime, Neill says we’re “making do with what we have,” by freshening up.
And we’re “making do” quite well! Although some tutor privacy is lost through the open concept, Neill says that, when privacy is needed, tutors can use the couches or computers in the writing lab. He comments further on the open concept, saying, “I love seeing you all… I think I interact with you more because I don’t have to go peep behind a barrier.” We can now see everyone who walks in, and they can see all of our lovely tutors working away. The large group table for on-shift tutors features a monitor which can be utilized for shared work, including workshop creation, presentations, and possibly, in the future, a way to view a waiting list of tutees. We may see some other changes in the future as well, including an electronic Starfish kiosk to supplement our reception center and help us better register and serve students.
Overall, all of us here at Penn State Learning are grateful for such an open and inviting physical space to match our tutors’ friendly personalities.
Our Writing Center’s Shining Beacon
By: Veronica Garis
This semester, our writing center has undergone a great deal of reform. We’ve finished making physical modifications in Boucke and The Search Bar. Additionally, we’ve changed staff, and welcomed a new class of tutors into the fold. One of the most important changes that we’ve faced is our transition into new leadership. Dr. Karen Moroski has taken the reins and aided our tutors in adjusting to the reform. She has helped us learn, evolve, and examine our tutoring with a more critical and intersectional lens. She has personally faced new responsibilities and expectations, and I was able to sit down with her to discuss her experiences with this transition. Regarding her new transition, Dr. Moroski feels that the adjustment in leadership has been difficult, yet rewarding as she wants our program to thrive and expand. “I’m learning things I previously didn’t know how to do…and stepping into roles that I thought there would be a lot more time before I’d be asked to fill…It’s been a lot really fast.” As we’ve faced new changes we’ve all encountered new difficulties. Dr. Moroski said that her largest project this semester has been restructuring the English 250 syllabus and coursework. She stressed that she wanted her lessons to carry the same spirit and authenticity that Jon shared with his students. Moreover, she was excited to teach her students about writing center studies as a discipline they can get published in and explore. When questioned further about her particular pedagogical approach with the new 250 class, Dr. Moroski shared her main “missions”: 1. She wants her students to understand their own writing identities as intersectional. She wants them to ask themselves: How did they come to write the way they write? She also stresses the necessity for them to understand how others did this. Considering others’ backgrounds is crucial in understanding how others engage with writing. 2. Writing center studies is “alive and vibrant.” Dr. Moroski claims that this is how tutors learn and grow. It is also how tutors can learn and or change the ways in which they engage with writers. “They’re entering into a conversation on how to apply their skills.”
Her goals for next semester include, but are not limited to: Establishing cohesion between APLNG 250 and English 250, creating more accessible readings for our Monday Afternoon Reading Group, creating service opportunities for tutors, and having more English 250ers apply to MAWCA. When asked if she could share some words of wisdom for our current tutors, Dr. Moroski had this to say: “Stay joyful!” She also wanted to remind tutors of a lovely quote by bell hooks: “Love’s got everything to do with it.” Also, “Don’t wear hats to the Search Bar!”
She had some additional messages to share with our alumni: To anyone that would like to come back and visit: you are always welcome. Diagon Alley has been removed, so our space looks very different and open. She is very thankful and appreciative of how many alumni have reached out to her and Jon. While our space and program have changed, “our essence remains the same.”
Among all of the reform, Dr. Moroski has served as an inspirational guide to tutors, students, and faculty alike.
Discord Among Tutors
By: Jake Springer
It seems that there is a bit of rivalry amongst the writing tutors. During a quick activity to wrap up the 13th staff meeting of the semester, the Writing Center family had some fun in defending their opinions. Flowing from one side of the room to the other, interests were pitted against each other with binaries such as “Wawa vs. Sheetz,” “Tea vs. Coffee,” and “Rhetorical Analyses vs. Productive Counter-Arguments.” Just like tutoring, tough decisions had to be made concerning which direction to pursue. Arguments, or, more fittingly, defenses, were given for the choices. Humor mixed with passion to create a tumultuously exciting energy. Lovers of memes quickly shot down any Twitter slander in their commitment against Instagram. Public speakers were put to the test after finding themselves in the minority, shockingly, when compared to those who would rather write. In a fittingly-beautiful moment, the center came together around their love of Marvel during a time when all love is needed.
We ranged from 25-29 tutors taking distinct sides in the debate. Some tutors took neutral stances and remained in the middle of the room.
Here are the results:
Harry Potter vs Lord of the Rings 23: 2
Speak All Languages Fluently vs Read All Languages Fluently 25: 2
The Office vs Parks & Rec 21: 6
Rhetorical Analysis vs Productive Counter Argument 12: 17
Twitter vs Instagram 17: 12
Search Bar vs Boucke 5: 24
Starbucks vs. Dunkin Donuts 19: 10
Tea vs Coffee 15: 14
Cats vs Dogs 6: 23
Travel vs Relax at Home 19: 10
Mac vs PC 20: 9
Writing vs Public Speaking 21: 8
Coke vs Pepsi 21: 8
Marvel vs DC (R.I.P. Stan) all 0
Paperback vs audiobook 28: 1
Final Essay vs Final Exam 24: 5
Chocolate or Vanilla 14: 16
Sheetz vs Wawa 22: 7
Introvert vs. extrovert 17: 12
English major vs. non-english 17: 12
Yellow sheets vs online eval 17: 12
East coast vs. west coast 17: 12
Survey of general education electives
By: Veronica Garis
As many of us are finalizing our schedules and switching things out for next semester, we need to consider which electives/general education courses we should take to supplement our transcripts. Below is a survey I formulated that highlights some of the most engaging and interesting courses that Penn State has to offer. These results come straight from our writing tutors.
This data was compiled from staff meetings and personal interviews. The stars next to classes signify multiple tutor’s support for the class. The more stars it has, the more tutors would recommend the class.
ENGL 50 **
PHIL 014
Any creative writing course with Camille Yvette-Welsh
English 200/201 Literature and Society w/ Lisa Sternlieb *
ANTH 216: Sex and Evolution**
BBH 146*
FDSC 105
GEOG 102
BiSci 003*
WMNST 100***
PSYCH 100 ***
EGEE 101
PHIL 012
SOC 23
WMNST 364*
PHOTO 100*
CMLIT 101
WMNST 200*
ENGL 213
COMM 205