Writing Center Guidelines
Writing Fellows at the ERC assist students from any school at the University with every phase of the writing process, from brainstorming to polishing a final draft. They can clarify grammatical rules and help you learn to detect grammatical errors. They assist with application essays and resume format in order to help students find success beyond BU as well.
To Make an Appointment:
Visit the ERC. You may schedule one session per day, up to three times per week, and are permitted a total of 12 sessions per semester. Appointments may be scheduled up to two weeks in advance. All appointments are one on one unless a prior arrangement has been made with the Writing Fellow who will be conducting the session. Sessions are 45 minutes.
- If you have previously used the ERC’s Writing Center, you may call to make an appointment: 617-353-7077.
Cancellation Policy:
If you need to reschedule or cancel an appointment, you must contact the ERC at least 12 hours prior to your scheduled appointment. We prefer 24 hours notice if possible.
No Show Policy:
If you miss an appointment, or if you cancel an appointment with less than 12 hours notice, you are required to wait one week before rescheduling.
Late Policy:
A lateness of 15 minutes or more will result in the cancellation of your session. Repeated latenesses will be treated as a “no-show,” and you will need to wait one week before scheduling another appointment.
Take Home Exams:
Writing Fellows cannot assist with take-home exams or any other assignment on which the professor has prohibited outside assistance. If you would like a Writing Fellow to assist you with a take home exam, you must provide written documentation from your professor that indicates that outside help is permitted. BU’s Academic Conduct Code defines plagiarism as “any attempt by a student to represent the work of another as his or her own.”
Rules To Remember:
Writing Fellows cannot provide proofreading or editing services. This means that they will not correct your paper but will work in conjunction with you to assist you in learning how to develop and revise your own papers. Their goal is to help you find the inspiration and learn the skills you need to become a better, more confident writer.
Students are encouraged to meet with a Writing Fellow well in advance of a paper’s due date in order to receive the most beneficial assistance. Unreasonable requests for assistance may result in the Writing Fellow’s termination of the session.