Services and Policies

Welcome to the Writing Center

On-campus Services for Students

Writing Conferences
A writing consultant will respond to questions and concerns about your writing assignments.

Questions
We'll be happy to answer questions about APA, grammar, punctuation, or usage.

Word Processing Instruction
Microsoft Word 2000 for Windows XP.

Text Resources
APA style manual, dictionary, thesaurus, grammar and rhetoric guides, research writing guides.

ESL Coaching
Students whose native language is not English can develop their English writing and speaking skills.

Courses and Workshops
The Writing Center offers four 1-credit elective writing courses. For details, see the SMU Course Schedule or visit the Courses and Workshops page on this site.

Publications
Introduction to the APA and Other Writing Tips for Graduate Students — Printed copies of this publication can be purchased in the University bookstore for $5.50. You can also download a PDF version of this guide.

Undergraduate Writing Guide for Bachelor Completion Programs — Copies of this publication can be purchased at the University bookstore for $4.50.

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Off-campusServices for Students

Consulting by E-mail or Telephone
You can submit your paper and receive feedback by e-mail. Here is how the process works.

• Send your paper as an e-mail attachment. (If you don't know how, click here.)
• In the body of your e-mail, type the questions you want answered. Remember that we do not proofread papers, so you will need to direct our attention to the aspects of the paper that concern you.
• Be sure to give your telephone number in your e-mail message and include the area code.
• Tell us the name of your program (major).
• Send your e-mail to tcwrite@smumn.edu
• After we have read your e-mail, we will send a response by e-mail. Responses often include electronic notes in the margins of your document, and will we send a document with instructions for managing the electronic notes.
• If, after seeing our response, you have follow-up questions or want a more interactive response, you can call our toll-free number (1-866-437-2788, ext. 154).

There may be several appointments ahead of your request, so we may need a day or two to respond during our busy times.

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Policies

Editing/Proofreading

Writing Center consultants do not edit (proofread) papers. We will answer questions and provide feedback on sections or aspects of a paper; however, we will not locate and correct errors for you. You must take an active role in the review process and assume responsibility for final decisions. For doctoral students wishing to hire editors, we provide a list of contacts (click here).

Plagiarism

We will help you avoid plagiarism, but we will not respond to papers that contain deliberate plagiarisms or to research papers for which you do not provide sources or documentation.

Number of Consultations

You may have one consultation per week (maximum of 1.5 hours each) and two reponses per paper when appointments are available. Questions or papers submitted by e-mail receive responses in the order of submission date and time, and as time is available.

Preparation

For consultations in the Writing Center please bring the following:

1. a printed copy of your paper 2. an electronic copy of your paper 3. your instructor's guidelines for the assignment 4. the style manual for your program 5. research sources, if you have citation questions 6. a data storage device (diskette or flash drive)

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Make an Appointment

Consultation on Campus
Online (E-mail) or Telephone Consultation
Request a Specific Consultant

Consultation on Campus

To make an appointment call 612-728-5154 (toll free 866-437-2788, ext. 154)
or e-mail tcwrite@smumn.edu

We are open 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday--and on some Saturdays. (For term breaks and holidays, check the University schedule.) Students may make up to one appointment per week, two appointments per paper. Please give as much advance notice as possible.

When you arrive for your appointment, please have the following:

• Printed copy of your paper
• Electronic copy of your paper
• Assignment directions provided by your instructor
• Style manual for your program (APA, MLA, or Undergraduate)
• A list of your questions about the paper (remember that we do not proofread)

If you cannot keep your appointment, please call to cancel so that we can assign that time to another student.

Online Appointments

If you live outside the greater Twin Cities area, and cannot arrange a Saturday appointment, you can have an electronic/telephone conference. Here is how the process works.

• Send your paper as an e-mail attachment. (If you don't know how, click here.)
• In the body of your e-mail, type the questions you want answered. Remember that we do not proofread papers, so you will need to direct our attention to the aspects of the paper that concern you.
• Be sure to give your telephone number in your e-mail message and include the area code.
• Tell us the name of your program (major).
• Send your e-mail to tcwrite@smumn.edu
• After we have read your e-mail, we will send a response by e-mail. Responses often include electronic notes in the margins of your document, and will we send a document with instructions for managing the electronic notes.
• If, after seeing our response, you have follow-up questions or want a more interactive response, you can call our toll-free number (1-866-437-2788, ext. 154).

There may be several appointments ahead of your request, so we may need a day or two to respond during our busy times.

Writing Center Staff

Cheryl Prentice, Director
LaSalle Hall 106
Local: 612-728-5136 (Toll free: 866-437-2788, ext. 136)
cprentic@smumn.edu

Brigitte Mussack
LaSalle Hall 106
Local: 612-728-5141 (Toll free: 866-437-2788, ext. 141)
bmussack@smumn.edu

Bro. Tom Geraghty, Undergraduate Writing Consultant
Mother Theresa Hall 23
Campus office: 612-728-5147 (Home office: 621-647-9675)
tgeragh@smumn.edu

When you call or e-mail the Writing Center, you can request a specific consultant.