Faculty FAQS

As faculty know, developing effective writing skills takes time and effort. Writing is not a straightforward technical skill; rather, it is a complex cognitive, culturally inflected, socially situated process that requires ongoing practice to foster its growth. By critically reading and discussing their writing with a consultant, graduate writers can learn to communicate their ideas clearly and confidently in a variety of contexts.

Exams: To consult on exams (course exams, comps, quals), we require written permission from a faculty member. Our policy is that instructor permission should be uploaded into the appointment form by the student prior to the appointment. This could be a PDF or screenshot of an email or other correspondence from the relevant instructor that clearly states that permission is granted. This documentation should also include the professor's name and email address or other contact information. If that permission is not uploaded, then the appointment will be canceled.

Please email our director staff with any questions regarding exam permissions.

Requiring a consultation as part of a course: If you wish to require writing center consultations as part of a class, please contact us. We have found that required visits work best when they are preceded by a class presentation or workshop. We can discuss what type of presentation will be most beneficial for your needs.

Concerned about an individual student: The process of developing writing skills takes time and repeated practice. If you have a concern about a student's need for improvement in this area, our director or associate director would be happy to have a conversation about how the Graduate Writing Center can help.

Developing a thesis/dissertation plan for your student: If your graduate student is beginning the thesis or dissertation process, we encourage you to work with us to develop a plan. Contact us to set up a meeting with you, your student, and a writing center administrator.

Know a student that would be a great consultant?: If your graduate student is a strong communicator who works well collaboratively, consider recommending them to be a writing consultant. The GWC compensates graduate students through assistantships and hourly pay. Learn more on our consultant recruitment page. 

Writing Pedagogy Resources: Along with the TLPDC, the GWC is a resource for feedback on writing pedagogy, including writing assignment development and assessment. Contact us for more information. As an additional resource, we recommend the Purdue Writing Lab's Faculty Guide for Working with Graduate Student Writers.

In-class workshops

Would you like to schedule an in-class workshop for a course you are teaching? Learn more about the in-class workshops and orientations available for graduate students through the Graduate Writing Center. You can also request orientations for undergraduates or in-class workshops in undergraduate courses through the Undergraduate Writing Center.

Request a Workshop

Faculty Writing Support

The Writing Centers of Texas Tech University also offer writing support for faculty. For more information about our faculty writing group or other writing support for faculty, please contact Managing Director Dr. Kristin Messuri.