The GW Writing Center will move to a new home in Gelman Library with the hopes that more students will use the service, a University administrator said last week.

The center – which gives students free help and advice on papers written for class – was originally located in Rome Hall, but will now be housed on the first floor of Gelman.

“It is our hope that increased visibility will mean that more students will take advantage of the service,” said Randall Packer, associate dean for special projects.

Packer said the idea to move the writing center to Gelman was formulated in the fall of 2009. The center will officially move to its new home in Gelman 103 Jan. 25.

The writing center always opens on the third week of classes, so the low-cost move will not affect student access to the center, Packer said.

Some students interviewed said they are very optimistic about the move, saying the new space will make the writing center’s services more accessible.

“Changing its location to a central study hub will make it more easily accessible and convenient for students to use,” sophomore Grace Borges said.

Junior Ross Greenky, who used the writing center for his university writing course and hasn’t been back since, agreed.

“I do work at Gelman and I think I will use the center more now since it is easier to access,” Greenky said. “If you are already in Gelman writing the paper, using the center is much easier.”

Other students who said they have completed their writing class requirements, said the change in location will not affect them.

“I used the center once freshman year,” junior Sarah Farnan said. “But I probably won’t use it again because I am done with UW.”

Senior Yalin Firinci agreed.

“I wish that this was done earlier when I was actually taking my WIDs or writing classes,” Firinci said.