Frequently Asked Questions

1.Do I have to make an appointment?
Yes, please call 454-5299 or stop by the front desk of the Academic Support Center on the 2nd floor of St. Joseph Hall. It is recommended that you call or stop by one week in advance to make your appointment. There are some walk-in hours available; check this semester's schedule for more information.
2.How long does a session last? 
You may sign up for a 30 minute or 60 minute session, with a maximum of three hours or three appointments total per week. At the end of the semester, all tutoring sessions are reduced to 30 minutes.
3.What should I bring with me to my appointment? 
Bring a pen or pencil, your assignment, any notes you may have, secondary sources, and whatever writing you may have at this point—whether it’s an outline, an introduction, a few paragraphs, or a complete draft of your paper.
4.What if I have to cancel an appointment? 
Call us at 454-5299 if you are going to be late or are unable to keep your appointment. If you do not show up for your appointment three times or more without calling during a semester, you will not be allowed to make another appointment until the following semester.
5.Can I just drop my paper off so it can be corrected?
No. Our goal is to help you become a better writer and that includes working with you one-on-one in a tutorial session. We are not a drop-off proofreading or editing service.
6.Will the tutor proofread my paper for me? 
No. Part of helping you become a better writer includes teaching you how to recognize your own mistakes and how to correct them. Tutors are not allowed to write on your paper, nor will they simply fix all of your errors without explanation. Please note that tutors are not permitted to give students the photocopy of the paper that they write on during a session--this copy will be immediately shredded following the tutoring session.
7. Will I get an A on my paper after visiting the Writing Center?
Writing is a skill that can takes weeks, months, and even years to develop and refine. Because of this, we cannot guarantee that you will receive an A on assignments worked on with our tutors.
8.Is the Writing Center only for English majors? 
No. The tutors can help you with all types of writing for all of your classes, whether it’s for History or Communication Disorders. As long as you are an enrolled undergraduate or graduate student, come see us!
9.Is the Writing Center free? 
Yes! The Writing Center is part of the Academic Support Center which provides free tutoring to all students who attend The College of Saint Rose.
10.My professor told me to go to the Writing Center. I went, and now he/she wants proof. Can the tutor sign my paper to prove I was there? 
No. Tutors cannot sign any slip to prove you attended a session. If your professor wants to know if you had an appointment at the Writing Center, he/she can call and confirm with Jaclyn Amoroso, Director of the Writing Center, at 458-5483.
11.My paper topic is very personal, and I'm afraid that the tutor might share information about me. 
Whatever happens in a session is generally confidential. Tutors are not permitted at any time to discuss you or your paper with anyone. However, professors do have the right to inquire whether or not a student attended a tutoring session. Depending on the situation, some general information about what was worked on during the session may be shared with the professor. However, any personal information the student shares with the tutor will not be shared with anyone.