2008 Woodie Awards
Howe Center to help students integrate writing with technology
Vic Brotzman
Issue date: 3/23/07 Section: Campus
Miami University students are getting closer to being able to learn the "write" stuff, as more detailed plans are being formulated for the Roger and Joyce Howe Writing Center for Excellence, planned to open fall 2008 in King Library. Because of a gift of $10.5 million from the 1957 Miami alumni, the empty bookshelves in the rear of King will be converted to what Paul Anderson, director of the current writing center, hopes will be an open and overall welcoming environment for students.
"We want students to be able to come sit down (in the center) even if they don't need assistance," Anderson said, explaining that architects are currently working with library representatives to achieve this desired ambiance.
The goal of the center is to help students from all fields of study improve their writing in both academic and personal projects, according to Anderson.
"The center will benefit students in two ways," Anderson said. "First, students can receive assistance in planning, drafting and revising projects for any course. Second, as students improve their work, they will be able to learn more about the content for their courses."
Lisa Santucci, the library's representative on the center's advisory board, said it's a growing national trend for libraries to incorporate more facilities for students, including cafes and writing centers. Along with the King Cafe in the basement of the library, Santucci said the center will lead to a significant increase of traffic in the library.
"The library is the natural place to put (the center)," Santucci said.
There are currently two writing centers on campus, but neither offers the same services that the new one will, according to Anderson. The center in Laws Hall is reserved exclusively for business students, the other in the Campus Avenue Building has limited hours. Anderson said the new center will be open approximately 60 hours per week, and will be available to all students as well as faculty.
"We want students to be able to come sit down (in the center) even if they don't need assistance," Anderson said, explaining that architects are currently working with library representatives to achieve this desired ambiance.
The goal of the center is to help students from all fields of study improve their writing in both academic and personal projects, according to Anderson.
"The center will benefit students in two ways," Anderson said. "First, students can receive assistance in planning, drafting and revising projects for any course. Second, as students improve their work, they will be able to learn more about the content for their courses."
Lisa Santucci, the library's representative on the center's advisory board, said it's a growing national trend for libraries to incorporate more facilities for students, including cafes and writing centers. Along with the King Cafe in the basement of the library, Santucci said the center will lead to a significant increase of traffic in the library.
"The library is the natural place to put (the center)," Santucci said.
There are currently two writing centers on campus, but neither offers the same services that the new one will, according to Anderson. The center in Laws Hall is reserved exclusively for business students, the other in the Campus Avenue Building has limited hours. Anderson said the new center will be open approximately 60 hours per week, and will be available to all students as well as faculty.
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