Graduate Writing Center Policies

At the Graduate Writing Center (GWC), we encourage our students to be mindful of our policies on appointment limits, cancellations, rescheduling, and academic integrity. The aim of these policies is to provide a fair and consistent experience for all GWC visitors.

“I have never honestly used the Writing Center before, even as an undergraduate, but it’s been sooo long since I’ve had to write a paper for school...that I’m thankful this is an available option.” –SUU Graduate Student Visitor

Appointment Limits

You may book up to three 45-minute sessions or one 90-minute session and one 45-minute session per week. If you need additional appointments, please reach out to the Graduate Writing Center at graduatewritingcenter@suu.edu, and we will accommodate you if we have availability in the schedule.

During busy weeks, you may be limited to fewer sessions so that we can meet the increased demand.

You may book appointments as far out as 21 days or as early as one hour in advance.

Cancellations, Lateness, Missed Appointments, and Rescheduling

We understand that life happens. If you need to cancel or reschedule, please do your best to give us at least 2 hours’ notice so that other students may have an opportunity to meet with us. To cancel or reschedule appointments, click the Change/Cancel Appointment button at the bottom of your confirmation email and follow the prompts. If you need help canceling or rescheduling, please reach out to us at graduatewritingcenter@suu.edu.

Please arrive on time for your appointments. If you have not joined your live Zoom session within 10 minutes of the scheduled start time, sent us a copy of your paper for a written feedback session, or responded to attempts to contact you, your appointment may be cancelled. If your appointment is canceled, you will need to reschedule.

We want to accommodate you as best we can; however, if you consistently miss appointments without communicating with us in advance, you may be blocked from making more appointments for the remainder of the semester.

Academic Integrity

The writing you share with us must be your own work and cannot be for a test, essay exam, assessment, or any other assignment for which your professor says you cannot use outside assistance. University policy prohibits us from providing feedback or assistance in such cases.

If you are writing a paper with a group, we will be happy to meet with your whole group to discuss each person’s work together. If you cannot meet with us all together as a group, we can meet with individuals separately but can only discuss their own work with them.

Plagiarism is strictly prohibited under SUU policy. The GWC cannot alter or edit your paper for you. Any advice that is given to you by our writing consultants is a suggestion—and you are welcome to accept or reject our feedback at your own discretion. Your professor has the final say in your grade, and meeting with a writing consultant does not guarantee that you will receive your desired grade on the paper.

Please reach out to graduatewritingcenter@suu.edu with any questions or concerns you may have regarding these policies and expectations.