RAMAPO COLLEGE NEW FACULTY ORIENTATION
CENTER FOR READING AND WRITING
GEORGE T. POTTER LIBRARY, 2ND FLOOR
FACULTY RESOURCES
The Center for Reading and Writing offers one-on-one, face-to-face consultations for Ramapo College
students on ALL academic levels. Working to support Writing- Across-the-Curriculum
(WAC) initiatives, the Center promotes writing-as-a-process and encourages students to seek reader
responses from our consultants. Additionally, reading consulting is offered on deciphering and
annotating texts, as well as close, critical and analytical reading. Study skills support is also available
including methods, planning and strategies.
THE CONSULTANTS
Most of the consultants who work in the Center are peer consultants. Peer consultants are upper-level
students who have been through a rigorous hiring process and trained in best practices. They are
available to support your writing and reading instruction in a variety of ways, both in the classroom and in
the Center. We also have one professional consultant, who has ESL graduate training. The Center
depends on faculty to encourage promising students to apply for positions as peer consultants, so if you
have any students who seem well-suited to work in the Center, please tell them so, and suggest that they
contact Tom Kitchen at tkitche1@ramapo.edu with any questions or requests for information.
SERVICES FOR YOUR STUDENTS
In addition to one-on-one consulting in the Center, the following services are offered:
The Road Show and Class Demonstrations
Center staff and consultants are available each semester to make brief presentations (10 min.) in your
classes on the services available to your students. . These presentations cover the consulting services in
writing, reading, and study skills and the Center’s location and operating hours. Brief session
demonstrations can also be arranged
Consultant-Pairing Program
The Consultant-Pairing program matches writing consultants with specific courses and instructors. These
consultants will meet with you to discuss your course writing assignments, introduce themselves to your
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class(es), and work with your students in the Center. They’re also available to attend peer-review classes
and facilitate short writing workshops. While they are not expected to serve as TAs or do the course
readings, they can provide some valuable assistance to you and your students.
What One Professor Had To Say About the Consultant-Pairing Program
“Amanda and I exchanged several emails before the semester began, and she visited my class and spent well
over an hour going over the first essay topics. Amanda brought tips for effective writing and could not have
been more engaging. My students really responded well to her and welcomed her into our circle. This is a
great program! ”Professor Dolgin
In-Class Workshops
You may request class-time writing and reading workshops on a variety of topics. Workshops run for
about 45 minutes and are facilitated by Center staff and consultants. Requests must be received at least
three weeks in advance of class presentation dates.
In-Class Peer Review Sessions
Consultants are available to join your students for peer-review classes and assist them individually and in
small groups. This service is part of the Consultant-Pairing Program but is also available to nonparticipants. A consultant will contact you in advance of the session to discuss the assignment and the
peer review process you use. Requests should be sent at least three weeks prior to the session date.
Out-of-Class Workshops
The Center offers a variety of 45 minute workshops throughout the semester. Workshop topics include
using style guides: MLA, APA, and Chicago; improving sentences, close reading strategies, developing a
thesis and the research paper. Many faculty encourage students to attend by giving them course
credit. Your ideas/suggestions on how we can further develop and enhance the workshop program are
always welcome. The Student Workshop Schedule is on the Center Web site.
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FACULTY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS
The Center often offers faculty workshops in collaboration with the Faculty Resource Center (FRC) and
WAC to support WAC initiatives Some of the topics that have been addressed are: designing an effective
writing assignment, facilitating a classroom peer-review session, and responding to student writing.
Topics are driven by faculty needs/requests.
TO REQUEST A WORKSHOP OR FURTHER INFORMATION ON CENTER SERVICES:
Contact Priscilla Tovey VanAulen, Coordinator of Program and Faculty Outreach, Center for Reading
and Writing, at ptovey@ramapo.edu.
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