Frank Communications Center

Frequently Asked Questions

Schedule an Appointment

How do I sign up? Log in at www.rich37.com/uiowa. If you don't already have a password and log-in, please click the link at the bottom of the screen and go through the first-time user process.

What if the scheduling system doesn't recognize my password? If you have trouble with your password, please contact the center at 384-3333 or e-mail jason-t-lewis@uiowa.edu. We will schedule you for an appointment while the technical issue is resolved.

Where are you located? The Judith R. Frank Business Communications Center is located in S148 PBB.

What are your hours? We are open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Please check www.rich37.com/uiowa for availability.

Do you offer walk-in appointments? It's not recommended. If you walk in, there is no guarantee that tutors will be available because we require students to sign up for appointments online. Slots fill up quickly during peak times, so please plan ahead as much as possible.

What should I bring with me? Bring a copy of your paper and your assignment sheet. If you are revising a previously graded paper, bring both the graded paper and the new version with you for your appointment.

I'm working on a group project. Is it OK if I come in alone? We encourage at least two members of your group to attend each appointment.

I'm a graduate student in business—or I'm a pre-business student—may I make an appointment? If you are enrolled in an undergraduate Tippie College of Business course, we will review your paper regardless of whether you have been officially admitted to the Tippie College of Business or if you are a TCOB graduate student.

I'm a business student, but I need help on a literature paper. May I come in? If you are an undergraduate business major, we will work with you on papers for any class you are taking. If you are a pre-business student or a TCOB graduate student, we cannot help you with papers for non-undergraduate business classes or with preprofessional documents.

May I bring in my resume for review? Yes—if you are a TCOB undergraduate. Our tutors have experience with resumes, cover letters, personal statements, and graduate-school and internship application essays.

I have a paper that's a mess. Is it all right to sign up for two appointments? To serve as many students as possible, we ask that you do not sign up for more than one appointment a day. Our tutors can handle any problems your paper has in 30 minutes. If you believe your paper requires extra assistance, you may sign up for appointments on consecutive days subject to our tutors' availability. Do not, however, sign up for two or more appointments but only show up to one. We track no-shows, and repeat offenders will not be allowed to make further appointments.

What are the most common problems you see? The most common problems we see across all courses include the following: lack of a main argument or thesis statement, structural disorganization, and errors in the use of language (e.g., poor grammar, lack of clarity, imprecise word choices). Our tutors receive training to identify problems that commonly occur with particular assignments.

If I go to the center, will I get a better grade on my paper? We are here to improve your overall writing and not necessarily improve your grade. Your professor gives you a grade—the center does not.

May I come to the center for help with Calibrated Peer Review (CPR)? Tutors can help you with general grammar and usage questions, but they are not allowed to help you with the assignment itself.