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The University Center for Writing-based Learning promotes the development of writers, writing instruction, written texts, and the use of writing as a powerful and ubiquitous modality of and for learning.
Grounded in the belief that language in general, and writing specifically, shapes and sustains democratic processes, the members of the University Center for Writing-based Learning community believe writing is an important means for an individual's participation in democracy in that writing promotes learning, critical inquiry, self-development, and refection through continual revision.
We are committed to DePaul University’s shared vision to "focus the entire university community on student learning and success," its dedication to academic rigor, and its mission to promote personalism through appreciation of the "dignity of each person." As such, we collaborate with writers from all disciplines, backgrounds, levels of expertise, and roles within the University community. Our goal is to help develop better writers along with better writing. Because we recognize the diversity of our community members in terms of not only their locations but their preferred ways of learning, we use all media of communication for collaboration. As we interact with individuals within the University Center for Writing-based Learning, the University, academic professions, and our global community, we aim to foster a commitment to peer tutoring, teaching, service, and scholarly and creative activities.
In 2006, DePaul University established the University Center for Writing-based Learning (UCWbL) to help increase academic rigor, a central goal of the University in strategic plan Vision2012.
The Writing Center—then in existence in various iterations and with a range of names since 1968—was brought under the umbrella of the UCWbL, alongside new initiatives focused on promoting effective writing instruction and written communication.
Throughout the half-century since some form of peer-based writing tutoring began at DePaul, support and advocacy for writing, rhetoric, and literacy as important fields of study and for writing as a powerful modality for learning have followed larger trends in higher education. We are indebted to those who came before us and helped to build the UCWbL into what it is today.
The DePaul College Writing Program hires “readers” for the 1968-1969 academic year. Pay: $2 per hour. Duties include “tutoring students”
Staffed by 27 professors and 11 undergraduates, the DePaul College Writing Program announces “an agency, free of charge, whose purpose is to assist students with writing problems,” to help “develop writing skills advantageous to their own needs in college, and continuation in later life.”
As part of a larger Universal Skills Program, the Communications Course launches with over 400 first-year students, each required to attend a tutoring session as part of the course. Over 30 tutors are involved.
The Writing Program is open weekdays for tutoring in the Byrne Hall basement from 8:30a to 12:00p and in Lewis Center room 1503 from 12:00p to 3:00p. Students enrolled in Communications 101 are required to meet for 1 hour per week in groups of 4 or 5 with 1 of 25 tutors.
The Writing Tutor: Theory and Practice (HUM 395) is offered for the first time.
Lincoln Park Writing Program office and tutoring moved to McGaw Hall.
First Writing Program Handbooks—for Tutors and for GAs—developed.
The Writing Program administrators add oversight of a new Reading Program, providing tutoring in reading. Tutor pay is $5 or $6 per hour, depending on experience.
The Writing Program and Reading Program officially merge.
The Writing Tutor: Theory and Practice moved to English department; the course becomes English 395.
The merged Writing Program & Reading Program renamed the Reading and Writing Centers.
Drop-in tutoring in SAC 274 added for 2 to 6 hours each weekday.
The Reading and Writing Centers and the Common Studies English Program collaborate to offer 1 hour intensive workshops on “agreement, commas and semicolons, and using quotations.”
Outreach program established.
The Tutor-Link Project begins, placing graduate assistants in First-Year Writing classes to “engage the students in their writing processes.”
The DePaul University Writing Centers website, depaul.edu/~writing, launches; scheduling services offered via email.
The Writing Centers begin offering “computer assisted tutoring,” for writers who “prefer to work/revise on a computer.”
“Informal conversation groups” offered at the Loop Writing Center for students enrolled in the English Language Academy (ELA).
A “HyperNews Forum” launched for writers to submit short questions online.
The “Annotations Environment” web interface launches, allowing tutors to “respond to written material without a face-to-face tutorial.”
The Loop Writing Center relocates to 1620 Lewis Center.
Saturday tutoring offered for the first time.
Writing Across the Curriculum, Presentations/Workshops, and Publications and Research initiatives begin.
The Writing Centers roll out an online scheduling form.
The University Center for Writing-based Learning (UCWbL) established: including the existing Writing Centers and a newly funded Faculty Services initiative.
The Writing Centers begin using WCOnline for scheduling appointments.
The Writing Centers website, depaul.edu/writing, officially rebranded as the UCWbL and The Writing Centers renamed The Writing Center.
The Lincoln Park Writing Center moves to McGaw 250.
Training course renamed Writing Center Theory and Pedagogy and moved to Writing, Rhetoric, and Discourse department; the course becomes WRD 395.
The Writing Fellows program piloted in Spring Quarter and begins official operations in Autumn Quarter.
The first UCWbL staff awards banquet, The Penny Awards, held.
Loop UCWbL & Writing Center moved to 1600 Lewis.
The Collaborative for Multilingual Writing & Research (CMWR) founded.
UCWbLing, a blog about writing and peer writing tutoring, first published.
Peer Tutor & Mentor Summit established.
The UCWbL’s radio show Scrawl Radio airs on Radio DePaul for the first time.
The UCWbL’s scripted web series about research-based approaches to challenges peer writing tutors confront, The Breakroom, debuts.
Lincoln Park UCWbL & Writing Center moved to Schmitt Academic Center (SAC) 212.
Outreach and Workshops become “Central Programs.”
Summer Session tutoring offered for the first time.
Redesigned UCWbL website launched.
Screencast Video Feedback appointments offered for the first time.
The Penny Awards renamed in honor of Elizabeth Coughlin, retiring UCWbL associate director The Liz Awards.
Appointment “letters” summarizing and documenting each appointment and sent to each writer instituted.
The Best ePortfolio Award at renamed in honor of Lauri Dietz, the UCWbL’s director from 2008-2018 The Liz Awards The Lauri Dietz Award for Best Overall ePortfolio.
Scrawl Radio and Screencast Video Feedback appointments phased out of operation.
