Even though there are still spaces available in the Faner and Trueblood writing centers, an English professor says the Lesar writing center provides more spaces in a more convenient location for some students.

If (Faner Hall) was our only center, we would be in trouble with serving people, Jane Cogie, coordinator for the writing centers, said. We work on a first-come, first-serve basis, and it seemed bad to turn people away. We want to leave slots open for more people.

Oct. 13 marked the opening day for the new writing center in room 209 of the Lesar Law Building. The center is funded by the SIU School of Law and is open to any student.

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The writing centers are on-campus tutorial services that help students improve their writing skills.

The writing centers have drop-in and scheduled time slots available for any enrolled student, free of charge. The volunteer tutors at the centers include both undergraduate and graduate students in English and linguistics.

The focus of the writing centers is not to proofread, but to help students learn how to do their own proofreading. Tutors work with students to give them focus, organizational skills and development skills for essays. Tutors also teach students to find their own grammar and punctuation errors.

The writing center has helped me improve my writing skills, Clarise Jones, an undecided freshman from Chicago, said. I think it’s great that they expanded, because every student should have the opportunity to do their best.

The writing center draws those who are serious about their college careers, Cogie said.

Some students are referred by professors, Cogie said. The rest just want to do better.

FACTOID:The writing center in the Lesar Law Building is open from 7 to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays.

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The writing center in 2281 Faner Hall is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fridays.

Students can visit the Trueblood writing center in the computer lab from 2 to 5 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 7 to 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays.