Center For Excellence In Writing

The following article discusses the work of FIU writing tutors and the research of Phillip Carter.

AI Has a Language Diversity Problem AI writing tools sometimes “correct” students’ dialects. But fixing the tech’s shortcomings may be easier than addressing human language biases.

The FIU URJ is spearheaded by several members of FIU’s Center for Excellence in Writing (CEW). A great deal of the tutors there learned their craft from observing and learning from Carlos Borges, a dedicated tutor at the CEW for over 25 years. With his unmatched thoughtfulness and expertise in working with others, he assisted hundreds of students in learning ways to improve their approaches to writing. Carlos enjoyed talking about language and getting to know his students, skills that he passed on to generations of new tutors as one of the most valuable mentors ever to work at the CEW. He was an exceptional listener whose students would visit him regularly at the CEW. He always sought to learn from his students and their writing projects, their disciplines, and their dreams.

Carlos cared deeply about students and staff members at FIU. He would always take time to engage people in conversation and forge deep, lasting human connections. Carlos’ attention to detail, his kindness, and his passion for words made such an important impact on the Writing Center and our university. His warm-hearted spirit made the Writing Center a special place for so many. In honor of his lasting memory and profound legacy at FIU, efforts are being made to rename the CEW’s main tutoring room the Carlos Borges Tutoring Room.

To pledge a donation for the Carlos Borges Tutoring Room, please scan the QR Code or visit the CEW’s Give page at https://case.fiu.edu/writingcenter/give

Looking for the all CEW's activities and updates in one easy-to-find place? Want to join a workshop but can't find the link? Use our linktree!

@FIUCEW | Linktree Linktree. Make your link do more.

First time making an appointment? Don't know where to start? Check out our step by step guide here!

Just go to our website—which is also available in our Linktree (https://linktr.ee/FIUCEW) —and use our online scheduler. There’s also a video on our website itself if you need a step-by-step guide! Please also remember that your appointment is for the scheduled time and day, NOT immediately after making that appointment.

Please also remember that our policy is that undergraduate students are allowed one standing appointment per week, while graduate students and students registered with the DRC are allowed two standing appointments. If you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to reach out!

To register for this free zoom event, visit https://forms.gle/nEJ35VvBGykx6ozA7.

Bilingual writing workshop on Academic Voice this Monday (virtual) at 11am. Details and RSVP

Voice and Dialect Workshops RSVP / Talleres sobre la voz y la variación dialectal en la escritura “Academic Voice: Finding my voice mientras escribo” April 4, 2022| 4 de abril de 2022 11am-12:30pm EST/10am-11:30am COL "Dialect and Writing/Variación social en la escritura April 18, 2022| 18 de abril de 2022 11am-12:30pm EST/10am-11:30am COL Questions or concerns? ¿Preguntas o inquietudes? C...

We plan to have a tribute to Carlos Borges via zoom this Friday, March 18th from 5-6pm.

We would like to invite everyone—current staff members, former tutors/staff, and others.

This is a moment where we can share our memories of Carlos, and we can honor the impact he had on students, staff, and the FIU community.

Tribute to Carlos Borges
Time: Mar 18, 2022 05:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://fiu.zoom.us/j/91206053076?pwd=a1RNTzdJZG51ZnR3ZjB4RzVKN0JNZz09

Meeting ID: 912 0605 3076
Passcode: Carlos1

Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise video communications, with an easy, reliable cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars across mobile, desktop, and room systems. Zoom Rooms is the original software-based conference room solution used around the world in board, confer...

The Center for Excellence in Writing and the FIU community mourn the passing of Carlos Borges.

After completing his B.A. in English and B.A. in Psychology from FIU, Carlos was a dedicated tutor at the writing center for over 25 years. With his thoughtfulness and expertise, he assisted hundreds of students and their writing. Carlos enjoyed talking about language and getting to know his students, skills that he showed to new tutors as a valuable mentor. He was an exceptional listener whose students would visit him regularly at the writing center.

He desired to learn from his students and their writing projects, their disciplines, and their dreams. In addition to his positive impact on his students and new tutors, he was an asset to the campus.

Also, Carlos helped lead conversation circles in English every Wednesday. For an hour, he would help students gain more confidence in their speaking abilities and also learn about one another. Qualities that made him such a great tutor and teacher were his curiosity, patience, and concern for others. He liked to ask questions of his students, learn about different languages and cultures, and help them succeed. In this way, he built rapport with his students.

One of Carlos’ favorite paintings was “The Geographer” by Johannes Vermeer. Carlos would often discuss the framed print hanging in the writing center and make connections to writing. The painting shows someone looking out the window and creating a representation of the world on the map before him. At a tutoring conference at NOVA university, Carlos gave a presentation to tutors from different Florida universities and used this painting as he shared his philosophy of tutoring.

Carlos cared deeply about students and staff members at FIU. He would always take time to engage in a conversation with someone and forge deep, lasting human connections. Those conversations meant very much to him. Carlos’ attention to detail, his kindness, and his passion for words made such an important impact on the writing center and our university. His warm-hearted spirit made the writing center a special place for so many. He will be missed and remembered.

Services are scheduled for March 5th. Details will be announced soon. For additional information, please email [email protected].

‪A hug from a loved one can change the whole day! We hope you’re all doing well and thriving in these last few days of the Summer term. Take a study break around 1:00 PM and join us for our Spanish Conversation Circle! No te arrepentirás! 🥰 ‬

‪It’s increasingly important to do our own independent research on topics important to us. The FIU Library databases are a good place to start! Don’t forget our tutors are always here to help you at any stage of the writing process! ‬

‪Don’t put it off another day—start writing a script or learning a new hobby! Start whatever it is you’ve been meaning to do! Last chance to take part in our Tuesday lineup of circles. Even if you haven’t been to a single meeting yet, we encourage you to stop by today! ‬