Recognizing that good writing skills are critical to achieving college and career success, the Communications Department at Moraine Valley Community College (MVCC) initiated a 10-month research and planning process which culminated in the establishment of a Writing Center (WC) in the fall of 1990. The objectives of the WC are to: (1) offer all MVCC students assistance with their writing assignments; (2) encourage excellence in communication skills through one-on-one conferencing techniques; (3) focus on higher order skills, such as thesis, organization, and development, to insure that the writer's message is communicated to the intended reader; and (4) build the writer's confidence. The WC houses 15 microcomputers and is directed by a faculty member who receives nine hours of released time each semester to oversee the operation of the WC. Efforts to promote the WC included distribution of a WC newsletter, articles in the student newspaper, and special announcements by instructors. Fall semester student visits to the WC totaled 1,133. User evaluations revealed that 83% of the students believed the tutoring sessions improved their writing skills; 87% felt that the tutoring improved their grades on writing assignments; 71% rated the WC as excellent; and 100% intended to use the WC again. By the end of the spring semester, an additional 1,313 student visits to the WC were recorded. Full- and part-time Communications instructors work as tutors at the WC on a volunteer basis, while student peer tutors act as paid staff the WC. Student tutors must complete Composition I and II and be recommended by an instructor to be eligible. (PAA)