The Concordia University Libraries recently opened a new Undergraduate Research and Writing Studio. The new space is located on the first floor of the George R. White Library & Learning Center and will operate by a studio-based learning model, meaning that students can drop in to work on their papers at their own pace with the help of peer tutors. The Studio will still offer some 45-minute appointment sessions as well as online help for distance students. Faculty are also encouraged to reserve the space for their classes.

At a grand opening event on January 22^nd, student tutors, faculty, and staff were on hand to celebrate the new space. Interim President Tom Ries was in attendance, where he remarked on the importance of Concordia University supporting student writing.

Acting Dean of Libraries Nancy Hoover also gave remarks at the event, stating that the reorganization of Concordia’s college structure, which resulted in moving the Writing Center into the library, “created a wonderful opportunity, not only for the co-location of the vital student resources of Research and Writing, but also the formation of a deep collaboration of student focused support.” She also emphasized how the new Studio will “provide strong support for student choice, access, and success” as well as provide opportunities for the Writing Center to collaborate with librarians. Krista Reynolds, Head of Reference & Instruction, also emphasized the opportunities for collaboration. “I’m excited the librarians have the opportunity to join forces with writing services to serve students even more seamlessly and effectively than ever,” she said.

The Studio is meant to be an active learning space. “Studio pedagogy is a different framework for the process of how students learn to be better writers. It engages the process of research as well as the process of generating ideas, drafting, and revision,” Meg Roland, Undergraduate Writing Chair and Director of the Research and Writing Studio shared. “The Reference librarians are here to support the mutually informed process of researching, reading, evaluating, synthesizing, and drafting.” Roland says that the learning model for the Studio will incorporate practices found at other Northwest universities like Oregon State and Western Washington that have a studio-based learning model to support research and writing.