The Writing Center
Join the Staff
At the Writing Center, we employ both undergraduate and graduate student tutors. Undergraduate tutors are trained in WRT 353, "Issues and Methods in Writing Consultancy" (3 credits). Graduate tutors, who must be teaching assistants in URI's English graduate program, are hired each spring for the following academic year. Contact the Director for more details on employment, or see the following frequently asked questions:
Are Writing Center tutors paid an hourly rate? No. Although we would like to compensate some of our more experienced undergraduate tutors, no one in the Center is paid an hourly rate. Instead, undergraduate students tutor as part of their educational experience, and graduate tutors work in the Center as an alternative to classroom teaching.
Why do tutors work in the Writing Center? Tutors work in the Center to gain one-to-one teaching experience, to burnish their communicative skills and academic credentials, and because they like to help other writers. Undergraduate tutors receive academic credit for the tutor-training course (WRT 353: Issues and Methods in Writing Consultancy) and for a practicum supervised by the Center's Director (WRT 383: Field Experience in Writing Consultancy). Graduate tutors sometimes prefer an assignment in the Writing Center to traditional classroom instruction.
How many hours per week do tutors work in the Writing Center? No more than 10, and no fewer than 3. Undergraduate tutors' hours vary between 2 and 8 hours per week in the Writing Center. Graduate tutors work 4.5 or 9 hours per week, depending on how much classroom teaching they have elected to do. All tutors attend the Center's weekly staff meeting.
Is the weekly staff meeting mandatory for all tutors? Yes. All tutors must attend the weekly staff meeting, which is currently held on Wednesdays from 12:00-12:50 PM during the term.
How do I get hired? Undergraduate students must register for WRT 353: Issues and Methods in Writing Consultancy. Toward the end of the term, a coordinator will connect you with the Writing Center Director, who will help you apply for a position and register for WRT 383. Graduate students receive a call for applications each spring semester for year-long tutoring positions.
