Community

This idea of community is really striking a chord with me lately. I walked into the Center today at an abnormal hour for me, because I had an exam and got out of one of my classes really early. I went to the Center because, well, where else would I go? I could have wondered around the ILC until I found a spot to sit and pretend to be doing something productive, but that didn’t even occur to me, because I have a home on campus now: the Writing Center!

Everyone I work with has been friendly. Going into the Center at odd hours was an awesome experience for me, because I got to see people I don’t normally see. And, not surprisingly, these people were also very friendly. I just love the sense of community the Center provides. It has definitely given me direction, not just as far as graduating and getting done with my bachelor’s degree, but with my life as a whole. I have learned so much from this experience already, and I’m nowhere near being done here. On top of all that, I’ve met some amazing people that truly care about writing—theirs and others. They also care about me, and I care about them. And on a less serious note, I have a break room now… which somehow represents that this job is serious and the people who are employed by it are close knit enough to share a break room. Maybe it’s silly, but I thoroughly enjoy that tiny room! This job has actually made me partially wish that I wasn’t going to graduate so soon. (Not until December 2010, but still close.)

Our writing center community is not just for the consultants, though. Something really cool happened a while ago on Facebook… ugh, Facebook. Anyway, one of my friends had set his status to be something like “Stuck in the library writing a paper all day. Why can’t writing be easy?” and one of his friends commented on it, saying that there is “this great resource on campus that you can take your paper to” but she couldn’t remember the name. I didn’t assume that she was talking about the Center, but I also commented on my friend’s status, suggesting that he come into the Center. Then, the same friend that commented before I did commented again, saying “YES! That’s it! The Writing Center! The best resource BSU has to offer.” WOW! I was thrilled! So not only are we leaving lasting impressions with the people who work in the Center, but also with graduates that value our service so much! We clearly made them feel welcome enough to return and to appreciate what we have to offer. This Facebook event was just too cool!

As much as I loved the conversation we had tonight about community in writing centers, the mood shifted when Melissa started talking about her “oasis” idea, because of the guy, (what was his name?) who opened up the conference with a story of a student who used his writing center, but clearly it wasn’t an oasis for him, because he went crazy and shot people on campus. This totally shifted the mood of our class tonight; I sat straight up in my chair, at the edge of my seat. (Melissa, I am really bummed for you that he came and rained on your parade like that, by the way. But I’m sure he wouldn’t have done it if he didn’t feel it had some value, right? Besides, I firmly believe our beliefs are strengthened or at least further developed in the face of adversity.) This is so unfortunate; it just plain sucks. But I have to believe that this particular student DID benefit from his writing center in some way. Perhaps he would have reached his tipping point sooner. Maybe his writing center gave him hope for a little while longer. Ultimately it was not enough, nor should a writing center be expected to be, but I have no doubts that it did help him. Maybe I’m too optimistic, but I just have to believe that.

 I can’t help but draw a conclusion to M.D. I have not consulted with her, and honestly, I’m scared to. But part of me wants to reach out to her. Silly me, I kind of think I could help. It’s probably beyond me. I guess all we can do is hope she gets the help she needs. Some people have bigger demons than others...

“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” -Plato