Information for Faculty

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Welcome to the faculty section of our site.

This section is designed with you and your needs in mind. We know teaching writing is often a difficult, yet rewarding process. We also know how important it can be to see how other people approach the various facets of writing and teaching writing to students, peers, and others. This section is growing and can grow even more with your contributions. What strategies have you used? Do you know of a great tool others might find useful? Let us know!

About Us

The Writing Commons, which is the university writing center, is located in room 418-H on the fourth floor of the University Library. They provide in-person one-on-one consulting sessions, which can last up to 45 minutes, online consulting sessions, and a variety of other tutoring and workshop offerings. Students can schedule a session online or by calling us at 330-672-1787. Students may schedule multiple appointments throughout the semester, but are limited to one session per day. 

The Writing Commons supports all KSU students at all levels and in every academic discipline with any projects that include writing. It assists writers at every stage of the composing and revising process. Writing consultants help writers at every level of proficiency to experience the satisfaction of developing effective written communication. All student writers can benefit from the feedback and support the Writing Commons provides. 

How We Work with Your Students

During a session, a writer and writing consultant will work together to accomplish goals set by the writer at the start of the session. Typically, sessions involve reading the piece of writing aloud while a writing consultant helps identify some areas in the writing for revision. Sessions can also be spent brainstorming or learning how to accomplish other writing and revising tasks. Writing consultants can address any writing-related concerns a student may have during a session. However, as is the policy in most university writing tutorial facilities, papers cannot be dropped off for feedback, edited, or proofread. Consultants do not discuss grades or “do the writing” for the student. At a student’s request, a written description of the session(s) can be sent to their instructor, advisor, or anyone they designate.

Students should bring a description of the assignment they are working on and anything they have written for that assignment to date. Students do not have to bring a full draft to the session in order to benefit from working with a writing consultant. In fact, some of the most helpful sessions occur when the writing consultant helps a student to brainstorm to get started on writing.

Students are expected to bring their FLASHcard for identification purposes. Check out Kent State University's FLASHcard User Agreement for more information.

Our Generative AI Policy

Because instructor policies toward AI vary, we as a writing center will use AI in sessions only in accordance with the instructor’s policy as the student has articulated it to us. It is the student’s responsibility to know their instructor’s policy and to communicate accurately with their consultant about that policy. It is the instructor’s responsibility to communicate their policy to their students. Any known AI use in sessions will be documented in the session report, along with a note saying the student told us that use did not violate their instructor’s AI policy. It is our responsibility to tell students that this information will go in the session report before we use AI in a session.

Please Visit Us with Your Students

Instructors are welcome to schedule a class tour with the Writing Commons. A consultant will meet you and your class in or outside the Writing Commons Lobby on the 4th floor of the Library to provide a presentation about the basics of the Writing Center.  

For further information, instructors are encouraged to call 330-672-1787 (Writing Commons) or 330-672-1788 (Jeanne Smith, Writing Commons Director). 

Information for Faculty Teaching Writing-Intensive Courses

Writing Across the Curriculum Clearinghouse. "Teaching Guides."