The Communicator

Tucked under the College of Communication (COM) school, Room B27A brims with students chatting, writing and working together.

As one of the several writing centers at Boston University, the COM Writing Center strives to accomplish one objective, according to its scheduling website: “To help you become a better writer.”

“I love hearing from my tutees after we finish our lesson and they say, ‘Oh, that was incredibly helpful, thank you so much,’” said Head Writing Fellow Kristian Moravec, a second-year journalism graduate at BU. “It makes me feel good about my job because I do want to know that––I want to know if I’m being helpful.”

Tutors are graduate students at BU, and they specialize in one of COM’s three majors: journalism (JO), film and TV studies (FTV) or advertising and public relations (AD). 

Undergraduate students can head to COM’s basement level for any of their COM-writing needs. The tutors are experts in crafting news stories, op-ed columns, press releases, screenplays and more.

“It’s kind of fun because it’s not just composition writing. It’s very specific to these different fields,” said John Hall, Director ad interim of the center and Master Lecturer in the FTV department. “So I think my favorite part is really just getting to know the graduate students and working with them. I’m really enjoying doing that again, after having been away for a few years.”

Hall was the director for 20 years before he decided to move into the FTV department full-time. Kate Faircloth, the director from 2020-2023, went on leave, so Hall was asked to come back and take the reins once again.

The COM Writing Center was established in the late 1980s thanks to Susan Blau, a COM professor and previous director of the center. Hall explained that back then, it was “basically in a closet,” and there were only a few tutors.

Now there are four JO tutors, two for AD, and several for FTV. During open hours, a few of the graduates are scattered throughout the small room. With laptops open, they chat and laugh as they wait for their tutees.

“I’ve always felt like it was a kind of collegial place. I try to make it a place where the tutors can kind of call it a home away from home,” Hall said. “So it becomes a space where I hope the undergraduates who are seeking help feel like they’re welcome.”

The center has an array of tutors with strong COM backgrounds, but some students may need additional or outside assistance.

“I like that it’s grad students, especially if you’re working with someone in the same field as your assignment. It’s very helpful,” said Cassie Fenwick, an undergraduate FTV studies major. “But sometimes they don’t know about the assignment and can’t help much, and it depends who you get.”

The program also offers external resources. There are handouts and links listed on the COM Writing Center website to help with COM writing genres, grammar, style guides, and more.

“I think one of the best parts about being here is that we have such a great group of diverse people,” said Head Writing Fellow Erica Schoenberg, a second year FTV studies graduate. “So there might be screenwriting and journalism majors in the room, and if I’m not sure about something, I can turn around and be like, ‘Hey journalism friends, maybe you can help me out here.’”

Moravec and Schoenberg said that they plan to do more outreach. The tutors hopped from classroom-to-classroom at the beginning of the year, but they strive to get more undergraduates in the center.

Although online appointments are offered, the tutors are pushing toward a more in-person schedule. Students are asked to bring their assignment and/or a laptop to the session. 

“I thought this would be a great opportunity to work with students and give back to COM because I love it so much,” said Abby Bonner, a tutor and first year FTV studies graduate. “Also, one of my favorite things about the writing center is just seeing all the different things that people are working on. When I come here I’m able to see how broad communications can be.”