An uptick in visitors this semester has forced the Writing Center to hire new tutors and extend hours for current tutors in hopes of meeting student demand for the center.

The Writing Center saw a 26 percent increase in students receiving tutoring last week compared to the same week last year, said Christy Zink, who was appointed as the new director of the Writing Center in August.

Employees of the Writing Center attribute the increase in students seeking free tutoring to the center’s visible location in Gelman Library. The center used to be located in Rome Hall.

Derek Malone-France, the new executive director of the program, said although the Writing Center space in Gelman is smaller than the space in Rome Hall, the move has been beneficial.

“The idea behind the move is that research and writing is [done] at the library,” Malone-France said. “We want to connect research and the writing process.”

Zink said the relocation has allowed the Writing Center to form a better relationship with research librarians, which in turn helps tutors learn to edit both for grammar and style, as well as for proper research techniques and methodologies.

“The partnership between the librarians and the Writing Center makes the research writing advanced,” Zink said. “The space allows this partnership, which is exciting.”

Tutors said with the rise in traffic, tutors work more hours each week than in previous semesters. The center is currently training more tutors, who will begin next semester.

“The new location makes people aware that we even exist and is more convenient for students already in Gelman,” Tara Dorfman, a senior who has been a tutor since her sophomore year, said.

“Since there are fewer tutors the number of hours have increased,” Kelly Zentgraf, a senior, said. “But new tutors are being trained now.”

Zink said there is no average year or major of students seeking help, but professors across the University encourage students to go to the center. Malone-France said the center is still looking to grow.

“Our next step is advertising so even more students know about what is going on,” said Malone-France. “We want to hear suggestions from students to make this program even better.”