Lilly Andrews, Asst. Arts & Life Editor–
On Nov. 6 and Nov. 9, the Writing Center tried out a new kind of event: late-night writing at the Bandersnatch. From 9 p.m. to midnight, Writing Center consultants set up in the Bandersnatch, open for drop-in appointments.
Consultant Rebecca Hurtado ‘27 explained that the collaborative event is “very new—not in its dreams, but in its execution.” In fact, it marks the first partnership event between the Writing Center and the Bandersnatch.
“We had dreams of hosting an event similar to this for a long while…So we thought, what’s a cool place where people who don’t make it to the center because they’re night owls [can work]?…And the Bandersnatch came to mind,” Hurtado said.
This collaboration was inspired by the Writing Center’s consulting cafe event, which is held at the end of each semester during finals. This cafe event often has a high turnout, and consultants wanted to replicate that success in a different setting.
According to Hurtado, the Writing Center also wanted more reach for those students who don’t often utilize the resource’s services in Doane Library. In moving to the Bandersnatch for a special event, the center is able to offer their aid to a wider population—especially apprehensive or unfamiliar students.
“The Bandersnatch is where people who stay up late might navigate towards and would potentially feel connected to, in terms of a place to study,” Hurtado said.
Tionna Wear ‘28, event coordinator of the Bandersnatch, said that the collaboration is especially effective for first-year engagement.
“There are a lot of students that aren’t familiar with writing because they’ve just entered college. I think the Bandersnatch is a really good location for people to be able to go to the writing center, especially later at night,” Wear said. “[I’ve noticed] that’s when people cram.”
Wear also thinks that the location of the Bandersnatch on the first-year quad helps draw in new students.
“A lot of freshmen tell me they don’t know where the Writing Center is, but every freshman I’ve talked to knows where the Bandersnatch is,” she said.
During the second evening, the Bandersnatch also created special menu items inspired by the Writing Center’s appearance. While not necessarily “Writing Center-themed” options, the menu consisted of two new milkshake flavors: s’mores and champpurado.
Hurtado praised the Writing Center as a whole for its welcoming attitude, whether they’re in the more laid-back environment of the Bandersnatch or at their typical location.
“We are a family. Like, a lot of workspaces—and I’m sure the Bandersnatch also shares this mentality with their coworkers. But we truly look after one another. The Writing Center is a place for uplifting one another. It’s a no judgment space, whether you’re a writer coming in with work or if you’re another consultant wanting to have a conversation with your coworker,” she said.
Though this particular event is still the Writing Center’s “guinea pig,” as Hurtado said, its initial success provides hope for future partnerships.
“We have many more plans for potential Bandersnatch event collaborations…Hopefully, [this is] not the last,” Hurtado said.