1. Log into Navigate at https://vcu.campus.eab.com/
2. In the “Student Home” section, click the blue “Make an Appointment/DropIn” button on the right side of the screen
3. In the “What type of appointment would you like to schedule?” drop down menu, select “Writing Consultation”
4. In the “What can we help you with?” drop down menu, select the proper appointment. Be especially careful that you properly select in-person or online appointments and graduate or undergraduate appointments.
5. Click the blue “Next” button
6. In the “Where would you like to schedule your appointment?” drop down menu, select the desired location: Either Writing Center - MPC (Monroe Park Campus) or Writing Center MCV
7. If you have a preferred Consultant, select them in the “Who would you like to meet with?” drop down menu. If you have no preference, leave blank.
8. Click the blue “Next” button
9. Select the desired date in the “Schedule Appointment” portal
10. Select the preferred time of day (Morning or Evening), then select the desired appointment time. (Upon clicking, the time will be highlighted blue)
11. Click the blue “Next” button
12. Thoroughly read all information in the “Additional Details” section
13. Enter your VCU email and any details for the appointment in the “Is there anything specific you would like to discuss with [Consultant Name]?” window
14. Click the blue “Confirm Appointment” button
15. Double check all of the details in the “Appointment Details”
16. Done!

• Your laptop (be sure it is charged!)
• Draft(s) of your work, if applicable (Google Docs preferred. See our Google Docs Tips below for more information). We cannot use paper copies due to safety reasons, so be sure to have an online copy to share with your consultant.
• A mask. This is a requirement to enter the Writing Center due to university policies. If you cannot abide for health reasons, your appointment can always be online via Zoom.
• Selecting “No” in the VCU Daily Health Check. If you selected “Yes” to experiencing COVID symptoms, please reschedule your appointment or change it to an online Zoom session.
• Open mind for revision

We ask that you do not send any documents ahead of time. Your consultant will not be able to read any drafts of your work prior to the time of your appointment.

After you schedule your appointment, you will receive a confirmation email with detailed instructions about how to use Zoom, as well as how appointments will work.

• Be sure to read the email carefully before your appointment to avoid any issues or miscommunications.

At the time of your appointment, you will now complete self check-in online:

• Log into Navigate at https://vcu.campus.eab.com/.
• In the “Student Home” section, find the “Upcoming Appointments” section on the right side of the screen under the quick links and current visits.
• In the “Upcoming Appointments” section, your appointment details will include the consultation type (online or in-person), the consultant (e.g. J. Doe), and the date & time.
• Directly below all of this information, click the green button labeled, “Check-In Online.”
• Upon clicking this button, a message will appear, saying, “You have checked in to see [Consultant Name] for [Consultation Type]. // Look out for an email, text, or phone call for next steps!”

At the time of your appointment, you will need to notify the Shift Leader that you’ve completed your self check-in.

• After you have checked in, call the Writing Center to let the Shift Leader know you have arrived. If the phone is busy, gently knock on the door. Wait patiently in the lobby. This space is designated only for students awaiting their upcoming appointment.
• You must complete self check-in before showing your VCU ID to the Shift Leader. A VCU ID is required for all consultations.

You and your consultant will address your goals for the appointment, and get to work! This will involve you reading any drafts you have prepared out loud. If you are using Google docs, you and your consultant will work in “Suggesting” mode (See Google Docs Tips below).

• Reading aloud is a time tested revision tool - it’s a way to empower your voice and find your own mistakes.
• You will be socially distancing during the consultation. Chairs are placed 6 feet apart and a plexi-glass divider protects the safety and wellbeing of both students and consultants. Please do not move the chair arrangement at any time during your appointment.

At the end of your appointment, you will now complete self check-out online:

• Log into Navigate at https://vcu.campus.eab.com/.
• In the “Student Home” section, find the “Current Visits” section under the quick links.
• Click the red button labeled “Check Out” under the appointment details.

Please honor the 45 minute consultation end mark. These times are set to allow consultants enough time to prepare for upcoming meetings and to allow you to move smoothly to your next event.

• Restore original Google Doc settings
  • Under the “View” tab, click “Mode” → “Editing.” (Consultants will work with you in “Suggesting” mode during your appointment.)
  • At the top right corner of your document, click “Share,” and select your consultant’s name and email address. Click the drop-down menu by their name and select “Remove.”
• If you would like your consultant to email your professor or advisor, share the professor/advisor’s email address with the consultant before leaving
• After an appointment is the perfect time to schedule another appointment!

Creating a Google Doc

• Go to drive.google.com.
• Click the “NEW” button, then “Google Docs,” then “Blank Template.”
• Start drafting!

Sharing a Google Doc

• At the top right corner of your document, click the blue “Share” button.
• Enter your consultant’s VCU email address in the “Add people and groups” field and click send.
  • You can only do this after your consultant shares their email with you during the consultation.
• You may see a note that asks if you want to share outside of your organization. Click “Share Anyway.”

Using Suggesting Mode

• Click the “View” button in the menu bar (top of the screen).
• Go to “Mode,” then enable “Suggesting.”
• Any notes you or your consultant make will become suggestions for you to review later. This way, we remain collaborative even when remote.