University Reading and Writing Center (URWC)

Winter Break Notice

The University Reading and Writing Center (URWC) will be closed from Friday, December 5, 2025, through Monday, February 9, 2026. During this period, both asynchronous feedback and live tutoring appointments will be unavailable. We will reopen after February 9 (date contingent on hiring). Please plan to submit drafts or schedule appointments once we reopen.

Students interested in earning credit for tutoring next semester may apply for ENGL 121 – Writing Center Tutoring for Credit using this form:
ENGL 121 Interest Form

Mission

Our mission is to help students become more confident, independent writers and readers through individualized, collaborative instruction. We support writers from every discipline and at every stage of the writing process—from understanding assignments to refining final drafts.

About the URWC

The University Reading and Writing Center offers free tutoring for all Sacramento State students. Tutors provide individualized feedback and strategies to help writers develop their ideas, improve clarity, and strengthen their writing process. Students may choose between asynchronous written feedback or live tutoring appointments, depending on their schedule and preferences.

Making an Appointment

The URWC offers one-on-one tutoring services. Tutoring sessions are 25 or 55 minutes in length.

Options include:

In-person (scheduled or drop-in)
Remote synchronous (via Teams)
Email feedback with a 48-hr. turnaround

Live Appointments

Students may meet with a tutor in person (Calaveras 128) or on Microsoft Teams for a 25- or 55-minute session. Tutors can help you develop ideas, clarify organization, and strengthen sentence-level control.

Appointments can be booked through Microsoft Bookings:
Book a Live Session

Asynchronous Feedback

Asynchronous tutoring allows students to submit drafts online and receive written feedback—no meeting required. Tutors provide comments within 48 business hours (Monday through Thursday).

Submit one draft per request.
Be specific about the kind of feedback you want.
Drafts submitted Friday through Sunday are reviewed the following week.

This option works well for students who prefer written comments or flexible scheduling.

Join the URWC Canvas Course

Feedback is usually returned within 48 business hours (Monday–Friday). We review up to 50 drafts per week, with the week running Friday–Thursday.

Need Help in Person?

Visit the URWC front desk in Calaveras Hall 128. Staff can help you use Bookings or Canvas to set up your session.

Note: Appointments are not scheduled by email. Please use Microsoft Bookings for live sessions or Canvas for asynchronous tutoring.

URWC Services Description

The URWC provides undergraduate and graduate students one-on-one assistance with reading, writing, and research. Peer tutors are trained to tailor sessions to the specific needs of each student.

Students can bring assignment prompts, research materials, readings, work completed so far, or anything else they think will help with the tutoring session.

During 25-minute sessions or 55-minute sessions, we provide assistance, feedback, and resources on concerns ranging from:

Content
Organization
Clarity
Development
Understanding
Citations
Mechanics (spelling & grammar)

English 121 - Writing Center Tutoring for Credit

ENGL 121 is a 1-unit, Credit/No-Credit course that combines weekly tutoring at the URWC with short reflective activities in Canvas.

During Weeks 1–4, students complete goal-setting and planning activities to identify writing priorities. Tutoring begins Week 5 and continues through Week 15, with one 55-minute in-person session each week in Calaveras 128.

Enrollment process
Space is limited, so students must apply to enroll in ENGL 121:

Apply for ENGL 121
The URWC Coordinator will contact selected students during Weeks 1–2 with enrollment instructions.

Credit requirements

Attend at least eight of ten tutoring sessions (up to two absences allowed with advance communication and a make-up reflection).
Complete short weekly Canvas logs and a final reflection.

Students who require remote tutoring as an accommodation should note this on the interest form or email wc@csus.edu.

Become a Tutor

URWC tutors are undergraduate and graduate students trained in writing pedagogy, linguistic diversity, and equitable tutoring practices. Tutors learn to facilitate collaborative, student-centered sessions and to support writers from all disciplines.

Opportunities include:

ENGL 195A – Writing Center Internship (4 units, Credit/No Credit) for undergraduate students
ENGL 410A – Writing Center Theory and Practice for graduate students
Paid tutoring positions for experienced undergraduate and graduate students

Information about open positions and application deadlines is available on the English Department Student Employment page or by email at wc@csus.edu