Assisting with A.I.
There are many questions about how to ethically and responsibly use A.I. in writing and a great way to navigate those questions is by talking to a writing consultant.
Welcome to the Writing Center
We're here to assist you with any writing project, at any stage of your writing process. The center's well-trained peer consultants can help you to brainstorm ideas, organize content, integrate research, polish a draft, and correctly document sources.
Any graduate or undergraduate GVSU student can make an appointment or drop-in during any of our open hours. Faculty and staff interested in writing consultations for their own work and our other services can email Patrick Johnson, Writing Center Director ([email protected]).
We are here and ready to help students and faculty during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please visit our page to learn more about the services we are offering as well as the safety procedures we are putting in place in order to help protect students, staff, and the wider campus community.
Still have questions? Contact us and we will get back to you as soon as possible!
Hours and Locations - Spring & Summer 2020
Virtual Knowledge Market
Monday-Thursday:
Drop Ins: 10:00 am - 6:00 p.m.
Writing Center Appointments 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Friday-Sunday: Closed
Meet with a Virtual Knowledge Market Receptionist through Google Meet and have your consultation today!
Extended Hours
Our Extended Hours service utilizes Google Docs for an online, collaborative consultation through the application's Chat feature and comment feature.
Monday - Wednesday
8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Begin your consultation through sharing a Google Doc with our [email protected] email account, and a consultant will be with you shortly!
This service is available for all students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our new scheduling system requires special permission to access email support so please contact Patrick Johnson ([email protected]) if you need access.
We aim to provide feedback within 72 hours of submission; if your project is submitted outside of our open hours, the 72 hours begins on the next scheduled day the Writing Center is open.
To get started, log into Book It and submit your project today!
For more information about Book It and consultations through the Virtual Knowledge Market, Extended Hours, and Email, please visit our online services page.
Having an Online Consultation
Due to Spring and Summer 2020 classes being moved to an all online format, all Writing Center services are online only as well. We have multiple online service options to help meet your needs and preferences, all of which can be explored through browsing through our online services page and contacting us if you have any specific questions or concerns.
Below, we have a few notes on some commonly asked questions, as well as some additional resources that may be helpful to you and your project.
We look forward to working with you!
Do I have to stay online for my consultation?
Yes! Our writing consultants are adaptable and do their best to help you in whatever way works best for you; however, all online services require you to participate in the consultation.
Our synchronous consultation options, drop-ins and appointments, require you to chat with the consultant in real time through Google Meet or Google Docs.
Our asynchronous consultation option, Email, requires you to submit your project and additional information into Book It. Feedback will then be returned to you within 72 hours. If you submit a project through Book It while the Writing Center is closed, the 72 hour window will begin once all of our services open on the next scheduled day.
Our new system requires permission to access our email service, so please fill out an Additional Services Request form or contact Patrick Johnson ([email protected]) if you need access.
If I share a Google Doc for a consultation, how will I be contacted?
If you share a Google Doc, your consultant will reach out through the chat feature of Google Docs to help direct you to our scheduling system, Book It. Once you are logged in and in the drop-in queue, the consultant can begin your consultation and will ask you questions to learn more about your paper and what aspects you want to work on.
Your writing consultant will also share a Google Meet link in case you would like to speak directly to your consultant through the use of audio and/or video.
Unsure how to share a document in Google Docs? Our guide may be able to help!
How do online appointments work?
When it is time to begin your scheduled session, log into Book It to check in to your consultation. Make sure to periodically refresh your webpage in order to see appointment status updates! Once your consultant is ready, an "Enter Appointment" Button will appear on your "My Appointments" page. Next, click the "Enter Appointment" button and you will be linked to a Google Meet room.
The Google Meet link will allow you to meet with your consultant face-to-face in a video chat room so that you can begin working on and discussing what you would like to cover in the consultation.
What if I don't want to use Google Meet in my consultation?
Unsure about the use of audio and/or video in a consultation? Talk to your writing consultant at the beginning of your consultation to share any concerns, and ask about the benefits of using Google Meet during your writing consultation. Our writing consultants can adapt to your needs; this can include using only the audio feature of Google Meet, or communicating through only the Google Docs chat feature.
What if I can't get in touch with my consultant?
If you are having trouble sharing a Google Doc for an appointment, joining in a Google Meet room, or are having issues with audio and video, don't worry! Your writing consultant will reach out to you through your GVSU student email to help troubleshoot.
Here are a few places you can reach out to in order to help get questions answered:
- Did your internet stall in the middle of a consultation? Email your consultant at [email protected] once you're back up and running to let them know what happened
- For any quick Knowledge Market questions, visit the Virtual Knowledge Market front door and talk to the receptionist
- Have a specific question about the Writing Center or our services? Email Patrick Johnson, Writing Center Director ([email protected]) and they will reach out to you shortly
- For any technology questions or issues with your GVSU student email account, the IT Service Desk ([email protected]) may be able to help
Stay Connected
Spotlights
Closed for Winter Break
Happy Holidays, Lakers! The Writing Center is closed for winter break and will reopen on Sunday, January 12th, 2025.