Agnes Scott College2017 Institution Survey

Institutional requirements and goals--Writing Requirement

Does your institution have a writing requirement?

Yes

What does the writing requirement at your institution consist of?

First-year composition predominately taught by English and/or Writing department (FYC)

First-year seminars taught by faculty across the curriculum (FYWS)

Writing-intensive courses that are located throughout the curriculum (W courses)

Are there curricular requirements that are not part of the writing requirement but that have writing as an explicit goal?

Yes

Is oral communication a component of an institutional writing requirement?

Oral communication is a separate general education requirement.

Institutional requirements and goals--College Writing Goals

Are there institution-wide student writing goals?

Yes

Have the goals been influenced by the WPA Outcomes Statement?

Yes

Are the goals assessed at the institutional level?

Yes

How are the college-wide student writing goals assessed?

Departments assess majors through a senior-culminating experience.

Institutional requirements and goals--Writing Committee

Does your institution have a writing committee?

No

Institutional requirements and goals--National Survey of Student Engagement

Does your institution administer the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE)?

Yes

How does your writing program use the NSSE data?

Data used for assessment.

Data used to argue for additional resources.

Data used to promote the writing program.

Data used to support curricular changes.

Institutional requirements and goals--Changes to Writing Program

Were there changes to the writing requirement since the academic year 2012-13?

No

Were there changes to the assessment of writing at your institution since the 2012-13 academic year?

No

Do you foresee changes at the institutional level to the sites of writing on your campus over the next four years?

No

First-Year Writing--General Description

Does your institution have a first-year writing requirement, whether explicit or embedded?

Yes

What is the institutional home for first-year writing?

English department

How would you describe your first-year writing requirement? Check all that apply. See Glossary for definitions.

First-Year Composition (FYC)

First-Year Seminar (FYS)

First-Year Writing--First-Year Composition: Placement & Transfer

In the academic year 2016-17, how many students took FYC?

185

Does your institution accept alternative credit for first-year composition?

Yes

If your institution accepts alternative credit for FYC, which mechanism is used? Check all that apply.

Transfer credit from another institution

Dual enrollment

What percentage of students in AY 2016/17 placed out of a FYC course?

25

First-Year Writing--First-Year Composition: Goals

Are there explicit goals for FYC?

Yes

If there are explicit goals for FYC, are the goals informed by the WPA Outcomes Statement?

Yes

How are the FYC goals assessed? Check all that apply.

Professor Certification

Course Evaluation or Grades

First-Year Writing--First-Year Composition: Delivery Methods

In AY 2016/17, did your institution offer face-to-face sections of FYC?

Yes

In AY 2016/17, did your institution offer online sections of FYC?

No

In AY 2016/17, did your institution offer hybrid sections of FYC?

No

During the academic year 2016-17, what percentage of sections of FYC were face-to-face?

100

During the academic year 2016-17, what percentage of sections of FYC were online?

0

During the academic year 2016-17, what percentage of sections of FYC were hybrid?

0

First-Year Writing--First-Year Composition: Staffing

Who has primary responsibility for administering the FYC requirement? See the Glossary for an explanation of these terms.

Solo

Beside the person who has primary responsibility for administering FYC, how many graduate students, staff members, or faculty members have administrative responsibilities for FYC?

0

In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of face-to-face FYC were taught by FT, tenure-line faculty in the English Department?

54

In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of face-to-face FYC were taught by FT, tenure-line faculty in the rhetoric/composition department or program?

0

In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of face-to-face FYC were taught by FT, tenure-line faculty from departments besides English and rhetoric/composition?

0

In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of face-to-face FYC were taught by FT, non-tenure line faculty in the English Department?

0

In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of face-to-face FYC were taught by FT, non-tenure line faculty in the rhetoric/composition department or program?

0

In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of face-to-face FYC were taught by FT, non-tenure line faculty from departments besides English and rhetoric/composition?

0

In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of face-to-face FYC were taught by PT faculty (hired by the English Department)?

46

In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of face-to-face FYC were taught by PT faculty (hired by the rhetoric/composition department or program)?

0

In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of face-to-face FYC were taught by PT faculty (hired by another department/program)?

0

In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of face-to-face FYC were taught by graduate students in English?

0

In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of face-to-face FYC were taught by graduate students in rhetoric/composition?

0

In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of face-to-face FYC were taught by graduate students from departments outside English and rhetoric/composition?

0

In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of face-to-face FYC were taught by the first-year writing director?

0

In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of face-to-face FYC were taught by Other?

0

First-Year Writing--First-Year Composition: Training

For FYC, what types of initial training is provided? Check all that apply.

FT-TT English/ Writing FacultyFT-TT Faculty from other disciplinesFT-NTT English/ Writing FacultyFT-NTT Faculty from other disciplinesPart-Time Faculty
Required Course
Required WorkshopsYesYesYesYesYes
Optional Course
Optional WorkshopsYesYesYesYesYes
Individual Meetings with Director
Weekly Staff Meetings
Monthly Staff MeetingsYesYesYesYesYes
No training is provided
Other

Do those attending initial training receive additional compensation or course credit?

Yes for anyone teaching a first-year writing course

For FYC, what types of on-going professional development is provided? Check all that apply.

FT-TT English/ Writing FacultyFT-TT Faculty from other disciplinesFT-NTT English/ Writing FacultyFT-NTT Faculty from other disciplinesPart-Time FacultyGraduate Students
Attend Conferences
Present at Conferences
Access to Professional Journals
Outside Speakers
Required Weekly Meetings
Optional Weekly Meetings
Required Monthly Meetings
Optional Monthly Meetings
Workshops or In-Service
Meetings with DirectorYesYesYesYesYesYes
Other

First-Year Writing--First-Year Composition: Curriculum

Which type of scheduling does your institution follow?

Semester

Is there a common syllabus for the first or only semester of FYC?

No

What is the content for the first or only semester of FYC? Check all that apply.

Literature

Themes

Is there a common syllabus for the second semester of FYC?

No

What is the content for the second semester of FYC? Check all that apply.

Literature

Themes

Research

How many semesters of FYC are required?

Two semesters

First-Year Writing--First-Year Composition: Course Caps

In the academic year 2016/17, what was the enrollment cap for Regular sections of the second semester of face-to-face FYC?

16

First-Year Writing--First-Year Seminar: Placement & Transfer

In the academic year 2016-17, how many students took FYS?

250

Does your institution accept alternative credit for FYS?

No

What percentage of students in AY 2016/17 received alternative credit for a FYS course?

0

What percentage of students in AY 2016/17 placed out of a FYS course?

0

First-Year Writing--First-Year Seminar: Goals

Are there explicit goals for FYS?

Yes

If there are explicit goals for FYS, are the goals informed by the WPA Outcomes Statement?

Yes

First-Year Writing--First-Year Seminar: Delivery Methods

In AY 2016/17, did your institution offer face-to-face sections of FYS?

Yes

In AY 2016/17, did your institution offer online sections of FYS?

No

In AY 2016/17, did your institution offer hybrid sections of FYS?

No

During the academic year 2016-17, what percentage of sections of FYS were face-to-face?

100

During the academic year 2016-17, what percentage of sections of FYS were online?

0

During the academic year 2016-17, what percentage of sections of FYS were hybrid?

0

First-Year Writing--First-Year Seminar: Staffing

Who has primary responsibility for administering the FYS requirement? See the Glossary for an explanation of these terms.

Faculty Committee

Beside the person who has primary responsibility for administering FYS, how many graduate students, staff members, or faculty members have administrative responsibilities for FYS?

0

In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of face-to-face FYS were taught by FT, tenure-line faculty in the English Department?

20

In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of face-to-face FYS were taught by FT, tenure-line faculty in the rhetoric/composition department or program?

0

In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of face-to-face FYS were taught by FT, tenure-line faculty from departments besides English and rhetoric/composition?

80

In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of face-to-face FYS were taught by FT, non-tenure line faculty in the English Department?

0

In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of face-to-face FYS were taught by FT, non-tenure line faculty in the rhetoric/composition department or program?

0

In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of face-to-face FYS were taught by FT, non-tenure line faculty from departments besides English and rhetoric/composition?

0

In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of face-to-face FYS were taught by PT faculty (hired by the English Department)?

0

In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of face-to-face FYS were taught by PT faculty (hired by the rhetoric/composition department or program)?

0

In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of face-to-face FYS were taught by PT faculty (hired by another department/program)?

0

In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of face-to-face FYS were taught by graduate students in English?

0

In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of face-to-face FYS were taught by graduate students in rhetoric/composition?

0

In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of face-to-face FYS were taught by graduate students from departments outside English and rhetoric/composition?

0

In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of face-to-face FYS were taught by the first-year writing director?

0

In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of face-to-face FYS were taught by Other?

0

First-Year Writing--First-Year Seminar: Training

For FYS, what types of initial training is provided? Check all that apply.

FT-TT English/ Writing FacultyFT-TT Faculty from other disciplinesFT-NTT English/ Writing FacultyFT-NTT Faculty from other disciplinesPart-Time FacultyGraduate Students
Required Course
Required WorkshopsYesYesYesYesYesYes
Optional Course
Optional WorkshopsYesYesYesYesYesYes
Individual Meetings with Director
Weekly Staff Meetings
Monthly Staff MeetingsYesYesYesYesYesYes
No training is provided
Other

For FYS, what types of on-going professional development is provided? Check all that apply.

FT-TT English/ Writing FacultyFT-TT Faculty from other disciplinesFT-NTT English/ Writing FacultyFT NTT Faculty from other disciplinesPart-Time FacultyGraduate Students
Attend Conferences
Present at Conferences
Access to Professional Journals
Outside SpeakersYesYesYesYesYesYes
Required Weekly Meetings
Optional Weekly Meetings
Required Monthly Meetings
Optional Monthly Meetings
Workshops or In-ServiceYesYesYesYesYesYes
Meetings with DirectorYesYesYesYesYesYes
Other

Do those attending initial training receive additional compensation or course credit?

Yes for anyone teaching a first-year writing course

First-Year Writing--First-Year Seminar: Curriculum

Which type of scheduling does your institution follow?

Semester

How many semesters of FYS are required?

Two semesters

Is there a common syllabus for the first or only semester of FYS?

No

What is the content for the first or only semester of FYS? Check all that apply.

WAC/discipline topics

Research

Multimodal

Is there a common syllabus for the second semester of FYS?

No

First-Year Writing--First-Year Seminar: Course Caps

In the academic year 2016/17, what was the enrollment cap for Regular sections of the first or only semester of face-to-face FYS?

17

First-Year Writing--Changes to First-Year Writing

Since AY 2012/13, have there been changes to the first-year writing requirement at your institution?

No

Since AY 2012/13, have there been changes to the first-year writing placement mechanism or how alternate credit is granted at your institution?

No

Since AY 2012/13, have there been changes to the first-year writing assessment at your institution?

Yes

Since AY 2012/13, what have been the changes to the first-year writing assessment at your institution? Check all that apply.

The learning outcomes/goals of first-year writing changed.

Since AY 2012/13, have there been changes to the first-year curriculum or enrollment caps at your institution?

Yes

Since AY 2012/13, what have been the changes to the first-year curriculum or enrollment caps at your institution? Check all that apply.

The course content changed.

Since AY 2012/13, have there been changes to the administration or staffing of first year writing at your institution?

Yes

Since AY 2012/13, what have been the changes to the administration or staffing of first year writing at your institution? Check all that apply

Other

Do you foresee changes to the administrative, curricular, or support structures of first-year writing at your institution over the next four years?

No

Upper Level Writing Courses--Upper Level Writing Courses: General

How many specific writing course(s) beyond the first year does your institution require all students to take? For example, such a course could be a sophomore or junior-level course taught by English or writing faculty. We are NOT asking about writing-intensive courses. The WAC section of the Census will ask about those courses.

0

Upper Level Writing Courses--Senior Culminating Experience

Does your institution require ALL students complete a senior thesis or other writing-intensive capstone experience?

No

Does your institution require SOME students complete a senior thesis or other writing-intensive capstone experience?

Yes

What are the criteria for some students to complete a senior thesis?

The requirements vary by department.

Upper Level Writing Courses--Changes to Upper Level Writing

Since AY 2012/13, have there been changes to the requirement for writing courses beyond the first year (not writing-intensive)?

No

Writing across the curriculum (WAC)--General Description

Does your institution have a formal WAC Program?

No

Is there professional development available for those teaching in the WAC Program or teaching WI courses?

No

Writing across the curriculum (WAC)--Writing-Intensive Courses

Does your institution require all students to take writing-intensive (WI or W) courses taught by departments other than English or Writing? See Glossary for definitions.

No

Writing across the curriculum (WAC)--Administration

Who has primary responsibility for administering the WAC Program?

Solo Writing Administrator

In addition to the person who has primary responsibility for WAC, how many graduate students, staff members, or faculty members have administrative responsibilities for WAC?

0

Writing across the curriculum (WAC)--Changes to WAC

Since the academic year 2012/13 have there been changes to the WI or WAC program?

No

Do you foresee any major changes to WAC on your campus in the next four years?

No

The undergraduate and graduate writing major and minor--Description of Undergraduate Major

Does your institution have a creative writing major?

Yes

Does your institution have a writing major (other than creative writing)?

No

The undergraduate and graduate writing major and minor--Description of Undergraduate Minor

Does your institution have a creative writing minor?

No

Does your institution have a writing minor (other than creative writing)?

No

The undergraduate and graduate writing major and minor--Description of Graduate Programs

Does your institution offer a masters degree (MA) in writing (not creative writing)?

Yes

In which department is the masters program housed?

Other

Does your institution have a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program in writing (not creative writing)?

No

The undergraduate and graduate writing major and minor--Changes to the Major, Minor, or Graduate Programs

Since the academic year 2012/13, have there been changes to the undergraduate writing major or minor?

No

Since the academic year 2012/13, have there been changes to the graduate writing program?

Yes

What were the changes? Check all that apply.

A Master's degree in writing/rhetoric was added.

Do you foresee changes to the administrative, curricular, or support structures of the writing major, minor, or graduate programs at your institution over the next four years?

Yes

Feel free to explain any forthcoming changes.

We are introducing an MA and graduate certificate in Writing and Digital Communication and the program will evolve as we further understand the needs.

Basic or Developmental Writing--Basic or Developmental Writing

Does your institution identify basic writing students who may need additional writing support?

Yes

How does the institution identify basic writers? Check all that apply.

Directed Self-Placement

Admissions office/Student Affairs referral

Advisor referral

Faculty referral

Student self-referral

What type of supports are available for basic writers? Check all that apply.

Peer tutoring

Other

What type of supports are available for basic writers? Check all that apply. - Other - Text

special arrangement within peer tutoring called Partners Program

Does your institution have a formal basic writing program?

No

What percentage of the student body is placed into basic writing?

0

Basic or Developmental Writing--Changes to Basic or Developmental Writing

Since AY 2012/13, have there been changes to the support for basic writers?

No

Do you foresee changes to the administrative, curricular, or support structures for helping diversely prepared students at your institution over the next four years?

No

Writing centers--General description

Does your institution have a writing center or learning center with writing tutors?

Yes

Is the writing center free-standing or part of another institutional unit?

Free-standing

Where is the writing center located? Note: From this point on writing center refers to both free-standing and those located within another unit.

Other

What are other locations for the writing center?

learning center floor of multi-use building

Is there a mission statement for the writing center?

Yes

Are there explicit goals for the writing center?

Yes

How are the goals assessed?

Student feedback forms

Faculty feedback

Center usage statistics

In addition to providing support for students writing for their courses, what services does the writing center offer? Check all that apply.

Assistance with multimodal assignments

Assistance with reading

Assistance with online research

Assistance with oral presentations

Assistance with Powerpoint or other presentation software

Assistance with new media

Assistance with how to lead a class discussion

Assistance with how to prepare a poster presentation

Assistance with job materials

Assistance with graduate school materials

Assistance for English Language Learners

Asssistance for faculty on syllabus or curriculum development

What events does the writing center offer?

Student workshops

Space for student to come together to write

Speakers

Other

What other events does the writing center offer?

impromptu speech contest, celebration fo writing in other languages,

Writing centers--Consultations

What type of appointments does the writing center offer?

scheduled face-to-face appts

drop-in face-to-face appts

What is the average length of a consultation or tutorial session offered?

30 minutes

What percentage of the undergraduate student body had a writing center consultation during the 2016-17 academic year?

68

Writing centers--Consultants

How many consultants worked in the writing center during the 2016-17 academic year? UG=undergraduates, GS=graduate students, Fac=faculty, PT=professional tutors, Vol=volunteers

UG-35

On average, what percentage of a week's consultations are staffed by each group? For example, if your center offers 100 hours of consultations a week and 50 hours are filled by undergraduates and 25 hours by both graduate students and professional tutors, then the percentage would be 50% undergraduate, 25% graduate students, and 25% professional tutors.

UG-100

How are undergraduate consultants initially trained?

Staff meetings

Workshops before semester begins

What on-going professional development opportunities are provided undergraduate consultants?

Attend national conferences

Attend regional conferences

Present at national conferences

Present at regional conferences

Read professional journals

Outside speakers

Staff meetings

Semester inservice or workshop

Reflections

Meeting with Director

How are the undergradaute consultants compensated?

Hourly wage

Writing centers--Administration

Who has primary responsibility for directing the writing center or overseeing the writing tutors if the tutors are part of a different institutional unit?

One person administers all sites of writing on campus

In addition to the person who has primary responsibility, how many undergraduates, graduate students, staff members, or faculty members have administrative responsibilities for the writing center?

2

Does the writing center have a faculty advisory committee?

No

Writing centers--Changes

Since the academic year 2012/13 have there been changes to the writing center at your institution (not including staffing)?

No

Since the academic year 2012/13 have there been changes to the staffing or administration of the writing center at your institution?

No

Do you foresee changes to the writing center over the next four years?

No

Writing Fellows (Embedded Writing Tutors)--General information

Does your institution have a writing fellows program? (See glossary for definitions)

Yes

What is the institutional home for the Writing fellows?

independent writing center

How old is the writing fellows program?

20+ years

How is the writing fellows program funded?

Writing center budget

Writing Fellows (Embedded Writing Tutors)--Staffing

Do the writing fellows work both as fellows and in the writing center?

Students work both as writing fellows and writing center tutors.

Do the writing fellows regularly attend the class they are assigned to work with?

Yes

On average, how many students does each writing fellow work with for a course?

15+

How are the writing fellows compensated?

Hourly wage

Multilingual Writing Support--Multilingual Writing Support: General

Is there support for domestic and international English Language Learners (ELLs)?

Yes, for both domestic and international

Is support for English Language Learners (ELLs) separate from basic writing?

Yes

What percentage of the student body is placed into ELL writing courses, both required and optional?

0

Who has primary responsibility for administering support for English Language Learners?

Writing Center Director

Multilingual Writing Support--Multilingual Writing Support: Domestic Students

Does your institution identify domestic English Language Learners (ELLs) who may need additional writing support?

Yes

How does the institution identify domestic English Language Learners? Check all that apply.

Directed Self-Placement

Admissions office/Student Affairs referral

Advisor referral

Faculty referral

Student self-referral

What type of supports are available for domestic English Language Learners (ELLs)? Check all that apply.

Peer tutoring

Workshops

Multilingual Writing Support--Multilingual Writing Support: International Students

Does your institution identify international English Language Learners (ELLs) who may need additional writing support?

Yes

How does the institution identify International English Language Learners? Check all that apply.

Directed Self-Placement

Admissions office/Student Affairs referral

Advisor referral

Faculty referral

Student self-referral

What type of supports are available for International English Language Learners (ELLs)? Check all that apply.

Peer tutoring

Workshops

Multilingual Writing Support--Changes to Multilingual Writing Support

Since AY 2012/13, have there been changes to the support for English Language Learners (ELLs)?

No

Do you foresee changes to the administrative, curricular, or support structures for helping diversely prepared students at your institution over the next four years?

No

Administrative positions--Solo Writing Administrator (SWA)

How is the Solo Writing Administrator position (SWA) classified?

TT

Where does the SWA's tenure line reside?

English

To whom does the SWA report?

Chair of the department

Faculty committee

Was the SWA hired for this position?

Yes

Which of the following teaching responsibilities does the SWA have? Check all that apply.

Teach courses

Train tutors, TAs, or professional staff

faculty workshops

On average, how many courses per year does the SWA teach?

5

Which of the following are the administrative responsibilities of the SWA?

Create Program Documents

Conduct assessment

Hire (tutors, professional staff, or teaching faculty)

Supervise (tutors, professional staff, or teaching faculty)

Mentor (tutors, professional staff, or teaching faculty)