The Writing Center at Saint Louis University expanded its staff recently after receiving new funding, and students have been taking full advantage of services to improve their writing.

The Center received nearly double its funding from the provost during the summer. Coordinator Sue Mendelsohn used the money to increase the staff from eight to 14 people.

“We had to turn students away last year because we did not have the staff,” Mendelsohn said.

In September 2006, the Center was able to help 173 students and faculty members. This year, in the same month, that number jumped up to 372.

“We expected a gradual increase in students, but we got exponential growth,” Mendelsohn said. All of the consultants, who are specially trained graduate students, primarily from the English department, are booked solid with appointments.

Appointments are one-on-one with a consultant and last approximately 45 minutes.

The consultants do not proofread or edit papers, but provide assistance with the writing process. The Center also holds workshops to improve writing skills. For those who cannot physically go to an appointment, the Writing Center also has an Online Satellite.

Allie Gubin, a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences, is a regular visitor to the Writing Center.

“I came for help with the organization and focus of my papers,” Gubin said. She transferred to SLU this year and said that she is extremely pleased with the Center.

Luke Weissler, a senior in the John Cook School of Business, made an appointment at the center to brainstorm ideas for his law school personal statement.

“I did not want to go to a friend for help, because that puts both of us in an awkward situation,” Weissler said. “They do not want to hurt my feelings by ripping my paper to shreds.”

Both Gubin and Weissler were reluctant and hesitant at first to visit the Center, although both said that the Center was of help, and that the consultants are nice, but honest in critiquing papers.

“Both my professors and I have seen an improvement in my writing,” Gubin said.

Annie Rues is a graduate student who works at the Center.

“The relationships we get with the students that come for help is the best part of the job,” Rues said. “We get to see the improvement and really feel like we make a difference.” The consultants can also give different perspectives to make a paper or project well-rounded.

The Center welcomes walk-ins, but due to the current high demands of its services, appointments are strongly recommended.

The consultants are willing to work with students and faculty to schedule appointments.

Other important changes to the Writing Center include a new location-in addition to the main location in the Academic Resource Center-in Pius Memorial Library, located on the third floor, next to the main stairwell.