Online Sessions

The UWC conducts all online sessions using WCOnline, the same software used to make in-person appointments. This feature in WCOnline allows you and your consultant to see and hear one another (like Zoom). We are also able to meet with you via Zoom, but all appointments must be created in WCOnline and begin in WCOnline before you and your consultant decide to switch over to Zoom.

If any aspect of our online scheduling system, appointment structure, or physical location raises questions for you or presents barriers to your learning, please contact the Director, Dr. Melissa Bugdal by email at mebugdal@salisbury.edu, or by phone at (410) 677-3154 or TTY (410) 543-6083, so that we can better support your needs and create a plan tailored to you.

Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I have an online session?
  Yes! Online sessions are open to all SU students on a first-come, first-serve basis.
2. How can I schedule an online appointment?
  You can make an appointment by visiting WCOnline to secure the day and time that works best for you. You are able to schedule an appointment up to one minute before the start of an appointment, but we recommend scheduling your appointments in advance.
3. How long does an online appointment last?
  All sessions begin on the hour and last up to 45 minutes in length.
  *Note: All appointments times are in Eastern Standard Time (EST).
4. What do I need in order to have an online session?
  You need a personal device (either a computer, smartphone, or tablet) that has Internet, audio, and video capabilities. For the most reliable connection, you should use Chrome, Firefox, or Safari browsers and avoid private connection firewalls.
5. Can I use a smartphone or tablet for my session, or do I need to use a computer?
  The newest version of WCOnline is more mobile friendly, so you can use a smartphone, tablet, or other Internet-connected device for your session. You are able to access your appointment in the same way as you do from a computer.
6. What should I have with me during my session?
  It’s always useful to have a copy of the prompt or assignment if your professor gave you one, so that the consultant can better understand the project requirements. We encourage writers to work with us at any stage of the writing process, so you should also have any ideas, notes, or drafts you’ve begun working on..
7. What should I expect to happen during an online session?
  At the time of your appointment, a trained peer consultant will meet with you in real time in the WCOnline system to work with you on your paper or project. Just as with an in-person session, your consultant will ask you what you want to focus on during your session, such as developing a thesis, organizing your ideas, etc. We work with writers at any stage of the writing process, so some writers choose to work with us before they have written anything in order to brainstorm ideas, while other writers choose to work with us on finished drafts. Our goal by the end of the session is to help build your confidence as a writer.
8. How do I begin an online session?
  At the day and time of your online session, login to WCOnline . Click on your appointment, which shows up as a blue box. In the new box that opens, click “Start or Join Online Consultation,” which can be found under the “Meet Online?” section. A new dialog box will open and you can begin talking with your consultant. If prompted, be sure to click “Allow” to connect your camera and microphone for your first appointment. It should automatically connect on any subsequent appointments you have while using the same device. You may need to “Allow” on each new device you use.
9. What do I do if I experience technical difficulties during my online session?
  1. If you have a poor audio or video connection, close and re-open your entire Internet browser.
  2. If you’re having trouble connecting your audio or video, use the chat box on the right of the screen to communicate with your consultant.
  If you encounter any technical difficulties during your session, you can contact the UWC by email at uwc@salisbury.edu .
10. What if I can't make it to my session or I'm running late?
  Please cancel your session at WCOnline with as much notice as possible. If you are more than 10 minutes late, you will forfeit your session. If you find that you are running a couple minutes late, please contact the UWC by email at uwc@salisbury.edu.
11. How frequently can I use the UWC’s services?
  You can have up to 1 appointment per day, and up to 2 appointments per week (Sunday-Friday), unless otherwise approved by Dr. Melissa Bugdal, Director of the UWC, at mebugdal@salisbury.edu. Additionally, we encourage writers to discuss one writing assignment per session so that writers and consultants have time to thoroughly focus on the text.
12. What kind of writing can I work on with the UWC?
  The UWC consultants are not only trained to work with you on papers for English classes, but papers in all disciplines. Additionally, we can work with you on a wide array of assignments such as lab reports, PowerPoint presentations, research papers, lesson plans, personal statements for graduate school, scholarship applications, and much more. In fact, since the UWC opened in 2005, we have worked with writers on papers assigned by nearly every department on campus.
  While we can work with you on the majority of the writing you’re doing in your coursework, we are not able to help you with short answer homework assignments and take-home exams unless you have explicit permission in writing from your instructor.
13. Can I work on a long paper or project?
  Yes, but you may need more than one 45-minute session to discuss the entire project. You can make multiple appointments for the same assignment, and you can schedule your appointments with the same consultant if you choose to.
14. Can the UWC help me with a group project?
  Yes, but for group projects we recommend that all group members attend the session simultaneously, if possible. Or, if you are working on your own portion of a group paper, you can schedule an individual session. Our sessions are highly interactive—if one group member is designated to bring a paper to the UWC, that writer may not be equipped to answer all of the questions that come up during the session.
15. How can I let my professor know I had an appointment with the UWC?
  If you would like your professor to know you had a session with the UWC, you can visit our Writing Resources page and complete a self-assessment form at the end of your session. This Qualtrics form allows you to summarize your session and explain your plans for revision. You will receive a copy of your answers in PDF form, which you can then submit to your professor.
16. If the SU campus closes for any reason, what happens to my appointment?
  Whenever the Salisbury campus is closed, the UWC will also be closed. We will cancel your appointment, and you will receive an automated cancellation email. We invite you visit WCOnline to schedule a new appointment.
How to Make an Online Appointment
1. All of our consultants are available for in-person or online appointments. Click on an available time, which is shown as a white box.
  *Note: All appointments are in Eastern Standard Time (EST).
2. In the appointment box that opens in a new window, there is a "Meet Online?" box. For online appointments, choose "Yes. Schedule Online appointment."
3. Enter the information about your paper or project.
4. Click the blue “Create Appointment” box to reserve your online session.
5. You will receive a confirmation email, and your appointment will show up as a blue box on the day and time you've selected.
How to Begin Your Online Appointment
1. At the day and time of your session, login to WCOnline.
2. Click on your appointment (it will show up as a blue box).
3. In the new box, click the red “Start or Join Online Consultation” button, which can be found in the green “Online” box.
4. A new dialog box will open and you can begin talking with your consultant.
Troubleshooting Tips
- Turn off other devices in your space that use WiFi (i.e. gaming systems, iPad, etc.)
- Close out of browser windows/apps (i.e. Netflix, Twitter, etc.) as each is pulling from your device’s ability to connect clearly to audio/video.
- Try to use a personal device to avoid private connection firewalls.
- Only use Chrome, Firefox, or Safari browsers.
- Be sure to click “Allow” to connect your camera and microphone.
- If you have a poor audio or video connection, close the Internet browser and open a new one.
- If you’re having trouble connecting your audio or video, use the chat box on the right of the screen to communicate with your consultant.

If you encounter any technical difficulties at the start of your session, or for general questions, please email the UWC at uwc@salisbury.edu.

Commitment to Inclusivity
At the UWC, we are committed to supporting all writers at any stage of the writing process in the way(s) that work best for you as a writer. To that end, we strive to work with you to accommodate your specific writing needs and learning styles. We recognize that writers on our campuses are comprised of, but not limited to: distance/hybrid students, student-athletes, military-connected students, transfer students, students who are writers and speakers of multiple languages, pregnant and parenting students, students who are working while attending school, commuter students, and students who work with other support services such as the Counseling Center, Disability Resource Center, and the Office of Institutional Equity. If any aspect of our online scheduling system, appointment structure, or physical location raises questions for you or presents barriers to your learning, please contact the Director, Dr. Melissa Bugdal by email at mebugdal@salisbury.edu , or by phone at (410) 677-3154 or TTY (410) 543-6083, so that we can better support your needs and create a plan tailored to you.