TUTORING POLICIES

Please read the following policies carefully before seeing a Writing Associate

  • Each tutoring appointment is 30 minutes. If you would like more than 30 minutes with a Writing Associate, book another slot. Do note, however, that you cannot book more than two appointments per day. This is because we would like you to take the time to reflect on the feedback given and make necessary revisions.
  • You may also just walk in for an appointment, or message one of the Writing Associates on TEAMS. If a Writing Associate is free, they will see you then, or you may be asked to book an appointment for a later time or date.
  • In the past, students have booked appointments as placeholders. To respect both the Writing Associate’s and other students’ time, please book an appointment only if you are certain about your availability for it.
  • If you are unable to make it for an appointment, please cancel it at least 2 hours in advance and/or reschedule it for another time. If it is an emergency, please inform the Writing Center Team about it via email.
  • If you are more than 10 minutes late for your appointment, your time slot may be given to somebody else. If you know you are going to be late for your appointment, please inform the Writing Center of your expected arrival.
  • The appointments are conducted both in person and through MS TEAMS/Zoom. In case of an online appointment, please notify the concerned Writing Associate via email.
  • For appointments that are either mandatory or count towards points in a course, a student needs to spend at least 15 minutes in an appointment. Logs for mandatory appointments that are less than 15 minutes will not be forwarded to the concerned instructor/teacher assistant.
  • You can visit a Writing Associate just to brainstorm for a paper as well. If it is a draft, you may bring digital or hard copies of your assignment. Please know that the Writing Associates do not offer feedback via email. The student is required to make an online or in-person appointment to receive feedback on their work.
  • The Writing Associate will offer you feedback and help you identify and address patterns of error. However, please remember that a Writing Associate is not your editor or an expert in the content of your course(s). If you have questions about the content of your courses, please make an appointment with a Peer Tutor at the EHSAS Center.
  • The Writing Associate may end the appointment early if they feel that you are being uncooperative or disrespectful. You will be given a warning first, and if there is no change, you may be asked to leave.
  • Please fill in the evaluation form at the end of your tutoring session. We appreciate your feedback as it helps us to improve the work we do.

Ultimately, you are responsible for improving and proofreading your work. Visiting a Writing Associate cannot guarantee higher grades or acceptance into a particular program, school, or job, nor is the Writing Center liable for these things. However, regularly visiting the Writing Center for tutoring sessions and workshops will indeed have a positive impact on your writing and, in turn, your academic career.

Why should I visit the Writing Center?

Writing is often a solitary activity. Meeting with a Writing Associate means you can exchange and improve ideas to provide clarity of thought and structure to your paper. The Writing Associates are trained to assess your papers critically and provide helpful feedback on how to strengthen your paper.

Who should visit the Writing Center?

All HU students, staff, and faculty are welcome to visit the writing center. Students who are generally good writers also benefit from readership and feedback, and are encouraged to visit the Writing Center.

Can I email my paper for the online appointment?

Online appointments will take place over MS Teams. You can send your paper to your assigned Writing Associate via MS Teams, or email if they ask you to.

Will Writing Associates proofread my paper?

Writing Tutors will not proofread/edit your paper. However, they will point out any grammar and syntax issues and tell you how you can fix those errors. Ultimately, the writer is responsible for editing their final paper.

Will you inform my instructor about my visits to the Writing Center?

No, we generally don’t inform instructors about students vising the Writing Center unless you specifically want us to, in which case, we will email them.

Can the Writing Center help me with take-home essay exams?

No, we’re afraid we cannot help with take-home essay exams unless we receive an email from your instructor saying it’s okay to do so.

Where is the Writing Center located and what are its timings?

The Writing Center is located inside the library, Information Commons on the ground floor. It is operational Monday to Friday, and working Saturdays, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

How much does it cost to use the Writing Center?

Nothing. It’s free!

Do I need to bring a hardcopy of my assignment with me?

Not necessarily. You are welcome to bring digital copies if you prefer. However, do not email your paper unless asked by your Writing Associate. The Writing Associate may ask you to email your paper if the meeting is online and you are unable to share your screen or document.

Can I bring my friend’s and/or family member’s assignment on their behalf?

No. At the Writing Center we only work with Habib university students, staff, and faculty. Family members or friends will not be entertained. Additionally, even if your friend is a Habib university student, you may not bring their assignment to us on their behalf.

Does the Writing Center offer group tutoring sessions?

Yes. The Center conducts group tutoring for specific readings, and sometimes we may conduct a group tutoring session for a group of students with the same assignment.

If any of your questions and/or concerns have not been answered above, you can email us at writing.center@habib.edu.pk