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Writing Center Policies and Procedures

The Writing Center has new Computer Lab use policies. All new policies are in bold below.

General Writing Center Policies

• Students must register with the Writing Center each semester.
• In order to use the Center, students MUST bring their current Mt. SAC student ID each time.
• Cell phone use is prohibited.
• No food, drink, or gum permitted.
• Food and drink must be left in the cubbies at the front desk.
• Photocopying is NOT available in the Center.
• Students need to pick up their student ID before leaving the Center.
• Skateboards are permitted in the Writing Center ONLY if they are properly stored in the skateboard holding area located in the computer lab.
• The Writing Center is not responsible for the security of students’ belongings, nor is it responsible for any lost or stolen items.

Computer Lab Policies

• Students must use one of the services of the Center (tutoring, directed learning activities, grammar software, workshops) to use the computer lab in the Writing Center.
• Students can use the computer lab for an unlimited amount of time on the day they are using a specific Center service.
• Students with scheduled tutoring appointments can use the lab any day of the week in which they have an appointment scheduled (both prior to and after the scheduled appointment).
• Students cannot use the Center solely for the purpose of printing assignments.
• To print, students need to bring a QCI print card, coins, or cash. No credit or debit cards are accepted.
• Black and white printing is 10 cents a page. There is no charge for DLA-related printing.
• Color printing is 50 cents a page.
• Students should bring a flash drive (USB) in order to save work. The Writing Center is not responsible for any lost work on the computer.
• MP3 players can be used, but the volume must not distract other students.
• Students need to take personal items (backpacks, purses, wallets, etc.) with them when they leave the computer station. Any items left behind will be put in the lost and found box at the front desk.
• The Writing Center is not responsible for any lost or stolen items.
• Headphones must be signed out at the front desk of the Writing Center.
• Scanning is available, but on a limited basis of up to 12 pages maximum. Students must save scans on a flash drive and print them out in the lab.
• Students must use the computer to which they are assigned. If there is a problem with the assigned computer, notify the lab assistant or the front desk. Students who ignore this policy will lose their lab privileges.
• There is a 20-page limit on printing jobs when other students are waiting. The lab does not accommodate printing on special letterhead, colored paper, or envelopes.
• Students must check out of the lab when going to a tutoring session and cannot save their computer during tutorials. Students must return the computer card to the front desk and check into tutoring.

Tutoring Policies

• Students may have no more than two 30-minute tutorials (60 minutes, either walk-in and/or appointments) per day and no more than six hours per week. Walk-in tutoring and WC Online appointments are each 30 minutes.
• Two appointments may be back-to-back (for a total of 60 minutes) for DSPS students and students with papers of 7 pages or more. If students, who are not DSPS and/or do not have an assignment that is over 7 pages, would like to make two appointments, there must be a 30 minute break between sessions. Walk-in tutoring appointments, however, are limited to 30 minutes for all students, including DSPS students.
• Students will be removed from the walk-in list if they do not respond when called for walk-in tutoring. Students must clearly mark on the walk-in form their computer location or write “waiting area.” Students will lose their spot if they are not in the location given when the tutor calls for them. NO exceptions.
• Students who are not ready when called from the walk-in list will be skipped and put at the bottom of the walk-in list.
• Students cannot request a specific tutor on the walk-in list.
• Students who are more than 5 minutes late for their appointment time will lose that appointment and will be marked as a no-show. Two or more no-shows will result in a loss of appointment-making privileges and all future appointments scheduled for the semester.

What to Expect from a Tutor

• All tutors will provide competent, friendly, courteous service.
• Tutors will work with students in a conversational manner on any aspect of a paper from brainstorming to grammar and citation.
• Tutors will not write, edit, or proofread papers for students.
• In general, tutors will work on only one writing assignment during a session.
• Tutors cannot assign or predict grades.

Workshop Policies

• Only students who have signed up in advance are guaranteed a spot.
• Students ten or more minutes late will not receive a verification form for the workshop.
• Students must stay for the duration of the workshop in order to receive a verification form.
• Students who text or sleep during workshops will not receive a verification form.
• Workshop verification is at the discretion of the instructor.
• Some workshops are ineligible for workshop verification forms. See workshop calendar for clarification.

Unauthorized Use of the Writing Center and Student Behavior

• Students not registered for the Writing Center are not permitted to remain in the Center.
• No children are allowed in the Center due to legal and insurance issues.
• Disruptive or disrespectful behavior towards fellow students or Writing Center staff will lead to a suspension of lab privileges or disciplinary action.
• Unauthorized use or misuse of any Humanities Division computer system or its components will result in disciplinary action in accordance with the Student Discipline Policy (A.R. &P. 609) and the California Education and Penal Code.

Please note: THE WRITING CENTER CANNOT SERVE AS A STUDY HALL OR STUDY GROUP LOCATION. Students in need of study space are invited to use the library in Building 6. Students in the Tutoring Space (room 1563) may be asked to move to accommodate tutoring. Any tutoring that takes place in the Writing Center must be authorized by the Writing Center.