Seattle University2017 Institution Survey
Institutional requirements and goals--Writing Requirement
What does the writing requirement at your institution consist of?
First-year composition predominately taught by English and/or Writing department (FYC)
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
What curricular requirements have writing as an explicit goal?
Senior capstone or thesis for some or all students
First-year seminar
other requirements
What other curricular requirements have writing as an explicit goal?
All Core classes (Module 1, 2, and 3) require some writing. Senior projects involve WID.
What are other approaches to oral communication?
Module 1 courses have a learning objective related to oral communication. Most Academic Writing Seminar instructors have an assignment with oral communication (speech, presentation, group presentation, etc.).
Institutional requirements and goals--College Writing Goals
Institutional requirements and goals--National Survey of Student Engagement
Does your institution administer the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE)?
I don't know
Institutional requirements and goals--Changes to Writing Program
Which changes took place in regards to the writing requirement?
The writing requirement was expanded.
Departments are required to articulate their goals and writing requirements.
Were there changes to the assessment of writing at your institution since the 2012-13 academic year?
Yes
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
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
If your institution accepts alternative credit for FYC, which mechanism is used? Check all that apply.
Transfer credit from another institution
AP/IB results
What percentage of students in AY 2016/17 received alternative credit for a FYC course?
10
First-Year Writing--First-Year Composition: Goals
If there are explicit goals for FYC, are the goals informed by the WPA Outcomes Statement?
Yes
First-Year Writing--First-Year Composition: Delivery Methods
During the academic year 2016-17, what percentage of sections of FYC were face-to-face?
99
During the academic year 2016-17, what percentage of sections of FYC were hybrid?
1
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.
Responsibilites Shared
Beside the person who has primary responsibility for administering FYC, how many graduate students, staff members, or faculty members have administrative responsibilities for FYC?
2
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?
3
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?
87
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)?
10
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 Faculty | FT-TT Faculty from other disciplines | FT-NTT English/ Writing Faculty | FT-NTT Faculty from other disciplines | Part-Time Faculty | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Required Course | |||||
| Required Workshops | Yes | Yes | |||
| Optional Course | |||||
| Optional Workshops | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Individual Meetings with Director | |||||
| Weekly Staff Meetings | |||||
| Monthly Staff Meetings | |||||
| No training is provided | |||||
| Other |
Do those attending initial training receive additional compensation or course credit?
My institution does not have a consistent policy for when people are compensated for training.
For FYC, what types of on-going professional development is provided? Check all that apply.
| FT-TT English/ Writing Faculty | FT-TT Faculty from other disciplines | FT-NTT English/ Writing Faculty | FT-NTT Faculty from other disciplines | Part-Time Faculty | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Attend Conferences | Yes | ||||
| Present at Conferences | Yes | ||||
| Access to Professional Journals | |||||
| Outside Speakers | |||||
| Required Weekly Meetings | |||||
| Optional Weekly Meetings | |||||
| Required Monthly Meetings | |||||
| Optional Monthly Meetings | |||||
| Workshops or In-Service | Yes | ||||
| Meetings with Director | |||||
| Other | Yes |
First-Year Writing--First-Year Composition: Curriculum
How many quarters/courses of FYC are required? The courses do not need to be sequential.
Two
What is the content for the first or only quarter of FYC? Check all that apply.
Themes
Teaching for Transfer
Research
What is the content for the second quarter of FYC? Check all that apply - Other - Text
Humanities and Social Science Inquiry Seminars all have writing assignments, but these assignments pertain to the disciplines offering the courses (history, literature, psychology, etc.). Most involve some research component.
First-Year Writing--First-Year Composition: Course Caps
In the academic year 2016/17, what was the enrollment cap for Regular sections of the first or only quarter of face-to face FYC?
18
In the academic year 2016/17, what was the enrollment cap for Regular sections of the first or only quarter of hybrid FYC?
18
In the academic year 2016/17, what was the enrollment cap for Regular sections of the first or only quarter of online FYC?
18
In the academic year 2016/17, what was the enrollment cap for Regular sections of the second quarter of face-to-face FYC?
18
First-Year Writing--First-Year Writing Seminar: Staffing
Who has primary responsibility for administering the FYWS requirement? See the Glossary for an explanation of these terms.
Responsibilites Shared
Beside the person who has primary responsibility for administering FYWS, how many graduate students, staff members, or faculty members have administrative responsibilities for FYWS?
5+
First-Year Writing--First-Year Writing Seminar: Training
For FYWS, what types of initial training is provided? Check all that apply.
| FT-TT English/ Writing Faculty | FT-TT Faculty from other disciplines | FT-NTT English/ Writing Faculty | FT-NTT Faculty from other disciplines | Part-Time Faculty | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Required Course | |||||
| Required Workshops | Yes | ||||
| Optional Course | |||||
| Optional Workshops | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Individual Meetings with Director | |||||
| Weekly Staff Meetings | |||||
| Monthly Staff Meetings | |||||
| No training is provided | |||||
| Other |
For FYWS, what types of on-going professional development is provided? Check all that apply.
| FT-TT English/ Writing Faculty | FT-TT Faculty from other disciplines | FT-NTT English/ Writing Faculty | FT-NTT Faculty from other disciplines | Part-Time Faculty | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Attend Conferences | Yes | ||||
| Present at Conferences | Yes | ||||
| Access to Professional Journals | Yes | ||||
| Outside Speakers | |||||
| Required Weekly Meetings | |||||
| Optional Weekly Meetings | |||||
| Required Monthly Meetings | |||||
| Optional Monthly Meetings | |||||
| Workshops or In-Service | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Meetings with Director | |||||
| Other |
First-Year Writing--First-Year Writing Seminar: Curriculum
What is the content for the first or only quarter of FYWS? Check all that apply.
Genre/Modes
Themes
WAC/discipline topics
What is the content for the second quarter of FYWS? Check all that apply.
Literature
WAC/discipline topics
Research
First-Year Writing--First-Year Writing Seminar: Course Caps
In the academic year 2016/17, what was the enrollment cap for Regular sections of the first or only quarter of face-to face FYWS?
18
In the academic year 2016/17, what was the enrollment cap for Regular sections of the first or only quarter of hybrid FYWS?
18
In the academic year 2016/17, what was the enrollment cap for Regular sections of the second quarter of face-to-face FYWS?
18
First-Year Writing--First-Year Seminar: Placement & Transfer
If your institution accepts alternative credit for FYS, which mechanism is used? Check all that apply.
Transfer credit from another institution
AP/IB results
What percentage of students in AY 2016/17 received alternative credit for a FYS course?
5
First-Year Writing--First-Year Seminar: Goals
If there are explicit goals for FYS, are the goals informed by the WPA Outcomes Statement?
No
First-Year Writing--First-Year Seminar: Delivery Methods
During the academic year 2016-17, what percentage of sections of FYS were face-to-face?
98
During the academic year 2016-17, what percentage of sections of FYS were online?
2
During the academic year 2016-17, what percentage of sections of FYS were hybrid?
0
First-Year Writing--First-Year Seminar: Training
Do those attending initial training receive additional compensation or course credit?
My institution does not have a consistent policy for when people are compensated for training.
First-Year Writing--First-Year Seminar: Curriculum
How many quarters/courses of FYS are required? The courses do not need to be sequential.
Two
What is the content for the second quarter of FYS? Check all that apply - Other - Text
Humanities and Social Science Inquiry Seminars all have writing assignments, but these assignments pertain to the disciplines offering the courses (history, literature, psychology, etc.). Most involve some research component.
First-Year Writing--First-Year Seminar: Course Caps
In the academic year 2016/17, what was the enrollment cap for Regular sections of the second quarter of face-to-face FYS?
18
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?
Yes
Since AY 2012/13, what have been the changes to the first-year writing requirement at your institution? Check all that apply.
Other
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?
No
Since AY 2012/13, have there been changes to the first-year curriculum or enrollment caps at your institution?
No
Since AY 2012/13, have there been changes to the administration or staffing of first year writing at your institution?
No
Do you foresee changes to the administrative, curricular, or support structures of first-year writing at your institution over the next four years?
Yes
If you foresee changes to the administrative, curricular, or support structures of first-year writing at your institution over the next four years, feel free to explain. -TEXT-
More departments are considering or are adding WID courses. More students are adding a Writing Studies Minor, requiring the taking of more writing courses.
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?
Yes
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.
Honors students are required to complete a thesis.
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
Is there professional development available for those teaching in the WAC Program or teaching WI courses?
Yes
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)--Changes to WAC
Since the academic year 2012/13 have there been changes to the WI or WAC program?
Yes
Do you foresee any major changes to WAC on your campus in the next four years?
Maybe
Feel free to explain any upcoming changes.
Various assessment projects might make the university aware of the value of restarting its WAC program. This program had a part-time director even when it was going well. Departments have continued to develop WID courses.
The undergraduate and graduate writing major and minor--Description of Undergraduate Major
The undergraduate and graduate writing major and minor--Description of Undergraduate Minor
What areas of writing can students specialize in as part of the minor? Check all that apply.
Professional writing
Rhetoric/ composition
Other
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)?
No
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?
Yes
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 gradually adding courses in the Writing Studies Minor (for example, Grant and Proposal Writing), and we are cross-listing more courses with the Communication Department.
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?
Part of another institutional unit
If the writing center is not free-standing, what larger institutional unit is it a part of?
Learning commons
Where is the writing center located? Note: From this point on writing center refers to both free-standing and those located within another unit.
Library
In addition to providing support for students writing for their courses, what services does the writing center offer? Check all that apply.
Assistance with writing in a language other than English
Assistance with multimodal assignments
Assistance with oral presentations
Assistance with Powerpoint or other presentation software
Assistance with how to prepare a poster presentation
Assistance with job materials
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
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?
60 minutes
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-20
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?
Full-credit course
Workshops before semester begins
What on-going professional development opportunities are provided undergraduate consultants?
Attend regional conferences
Present at national conferences
Present at regional conferences
Read professional journals
Staff meetings
Semester inservice or workshop
Reflections
Meeting with Director
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?
Writing Center Administrator (WCA)
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?
5+
Writing centers--Changes
Since the academic year 2012/13 have there been changes to the writing center at your institution (not including staffing)?
Yes
Since the academic year 2012/13 have there been changes to the staffing or administration of the writing center at your institution?
Yes
What changes were made to the staffing or administration of the writing center?
Peer tutor positions decreased
Graduate positions increased
Graduate positions decreased
Writing Fellows (Embedded Writing Tutors)--General information
Does your institution have a writing fellows program? (See glossary for definitions)
No
Administrative positions--Writing Center Administrator (WCA)
To whom does the WCA report?
Chair of the department
WPD
CAO
Assoc Dean or Provost
Other
Which of the following teaching responsibilities does the WCA have? Check all that apply.
Teach courses
Train tutors, TAs, or professional staff
faculty workshops
student workshops
Which of the following are the administrative responsibilities of the WCA?
Develop curriculum
Create Program Documents
Write grants
Conduct assessment
Consult with individual faculty or departments across the disciplines
Hire (tutors, professional staff, or teaching faculty)
Supervise (tutors, professional staff, or teaching faculty)
Mentor (tutors, professional staff, or teaching faculty)
Advertise program
Oversee program budget
Plan events
Maintain program/department/center website
Serve on university committees