Sept+11,+2008

September 11, 2008
 * Composition Committee Minutes**


 * 1) Attendance: W. Archibald, J. Halden-Sullivan, Y. Zhang, C. Corkery, S. Brouillette, G. Friend, E. O’Day.


 * 1) The minutes from the April 10, 2008 meeting were unanimously approved.


 * 1) We welcomed Timothy Shea as a new English Department faculty member, specializing in English Education.


 * 1) Dr. Archibald announced an unexpected budget cut for the Chryst Writing Center of one half of its prior funding amount. This drastic reduction will result in fewer tutors in the Writing Center, elimination of satellite locations for tutoring, and reduced hours of service to students. Questions were raised about whether Lyle Learning Services and student-athlete tutoring services have suffered a similar fate. A “send letters to the Dean” campaign was discussed to protest the funding cuts and to emphasize the importance of the Writing center to students at all levels of preparation. Conversations with the Dean are ongoing.


 * 1) Publicity strategies for the Writing Studies Option and Minor were discussed. The “news moment” opportunity for the University administration to announce the new program at the beginning of the Fall semester was unfortunately lost. However, Dr. Corkery is working with the English Club, English majors, communication majors, and foreign language majors to promote interest in the programs. He is also working with the Admissions office to incorporate promotion into their materials/programs, as well as promotion at orientation and at open house events. The new option and minor are not yet fully realized on DARS, but will be soon. An electronic announcement to English faculty at advising time was suggested. A poster campaign (distributed by the English Club) prior to registration at advising time could prove an effective way to reach students.


 * 1) Writing course outcomes statements were discussed. Outcomes statements for each of the current writing classes will be gathered and discussed at our next meeting, reinforcing those items that are considered “non-negotiable” while recognizing that approaches to teaching may differ. The status of the //Composition Handbook// was discussed. Dr. Archibald has an outline in place and ready to be populated where items, including the outcomes, could be added/posted to the website as they are sent to him.


 * 1) Composition Committee outreach across the disciplines was discussed. Last semester’s casual, informal, individualized meetings with faculty members from other departments were deemed a success, so a repeat may be in order. Dr. Corkery suggested developing links on the English Department website such as “Resources for Teachers” for sharing WAC tips. Professor Brouillette suggested linking the University theme to our outreach efforts thereby possibly garnering funding through mini-grants. She will follow up with Dr. Diane Umble, acting director of the Center for Academic Excellence, to discuss this possibility for funding to invite speakers for the Spring Colloquium or for other seminars/mini-programs.


 * 1) Dr. Kerrie Farkas suggested that the Composition Committee pursue a Writing Studies minor //for// //English majors//; the Committee was in unanimous agreement with her proposal. Dr. Farkas volunteered to be the point-person for initiating this pursuit. She will soon gather a sub-committee to work with her. In addition, the possibility of a graduate-level Writing Studies certificate was discussed. One or more of the current 400-level offerings in Writing Studies could be coordinated with one to two new graduate courses for a specialized certificate. Further discussion will follow.


 * 1) Dr. Halden-Sullivan introduced for consideration the idea of having our writing program evaluated by an outside accrediting agency, such as the Council of Writing Program Administrators. Such an assessment would show the strengths and we