On the first “UR Night to Write” in 2015, about 40 students took part. In 2016, that number doubled. May 1 marks the third annual UR Night to Write, an event initiated through a partnership between the Writing, Speaking, and Argument Program and the River Campus Libraries.
Night to Write was inspired by the Swarthmore College–initiated International Write-In “movement,” an effort to connect writers on campuses around the globe. Rochester’s event provides students “with space, camaraderie, and support as they write their final papers,” says Stefanie Sydelnik, assistant director and lecturer for the Writing, Speaking, and Argument Program.
The program has several champions who make the night run smoothly. In addition to Sydelnik, they include Rachel Lee, a lecturer in writing; Hilary Wermers, a writing assistant; and lead outreach librarians Kimberly Hoffman and Kristen Totleben.
Students spread out and work in the Hawkins-Carlson Room of Rush Rhees Library. In a walled-off seminar room, “there are writing consultants, tutors, and research librarians who can help answer student questions or share strategies if a writer feels stuck,” says Sydelnik.
Over the last few semesters, the event has integrated goal boards around the room where students can write or use post-it notes to declare a writing goal or objective for the night. “At the end of the night they can reflect back at that and what they accomplished,” says Hoffman. “Since the event is typically scheduled before classes end, and before that last paper is due, it’s really that final push to get any research or writing done.”
“De-stressing” activities have also been added to the mix. They include crafts in the Friedlander lobby, led by Active Minds, a student organization that raises awareness about mental health issues on campus. There are also give-a-ways throughout the night. This year, the bakery chain Insomnia Cookies, known for its sweet late-night deliveries, will donate 100 cookies to the event. Granola bars, fruit, and other healthy snacks will help students focus, warding off the urge to start lurking in social media sites.
Are there a lot of students with last minute problems? “It varies,” says Hoffman. “We see growing requests for the research help.” According to the Writing, Speaking, and Argument Program, there were more than 70 writing and research topics and disciplines tackled during the last Night to Write, spanning anthropology, art history, English, statistics, Russian literature, chemistry, religion, and biology.
“It’s really great to see these students come together in this big room,” says Hoffman. “I mean, you can hear a pin drop, so people are very focused.”
