Seton Hall 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
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
What are other approaches to assessment of institutional goals?
How writing will be assessed at all levels is still being figured out.
Institutional requirements and goals--Writing Committee
Who serves on the committee?
First-year writing administrator
Writing faculty
Faculty across the disciplines
Other
Who else serves on the writing committee?
There is a reading/writing proficiency committee comprised of the FYC director and someone from another discipline.
Institutional requirements and goals--National Survey of Student Engagement
Does your institution administer the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE)?
Yes
Institutional requirements and goals--Changes to Writing Program
Were there changes to the assessment of writing at your institution since the 2012-13 academic year?
Yes
Which changes took place in regards to assessment?
A college-wide assessment was added.
Do you foresee changes at the institutional level to the sites of writing on your campus over the next four years?
Yes
What type of changes to the institutional sites of writing do you foresee in the next four years?
Changes to assessment
Changes to the administrative structures
Changes to expand the writing program or sites of writing on campus
Changes to the types of staffing
If you foresee changes to the institutional sites of writing do you foresee in the next four years feel free to explain.
I expect WAC to be seen as a way of organizing and enhancing assessment, as a way to channel assessment findings into curricular changes on the departmental level.
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 Writing--First-Year Composition: Placement & Transfer
If your institution accepts alternative credit for FYC, which mechanism is used? Check all that apply.
Dual enrollment
What percentage of students in AY 2016/17 received alternative credit for a FYC course?
0
If there is a placement mechanism for FYC, what is it? Check all that apply.
SAT/ACT scores
Directed Self-Placment
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?
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.
FYWA
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?
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 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?
17
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)?
49
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?
28
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?
3
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 | Graduate Students | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Required Course | ||||||
| Required Workshops | ||||||
| Optional Course | ||||||
| Optional Workshops | ||||||
| Individual Meetings with Director | ||||||
| Weekly Staff Meetings | ||||||
| Monthly Staff Meetings | ||||||
| No training is provided | ||||||
| Other | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Do those attending initial training receive additional compensation or course credit?
No
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 | Graduate Students | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Attend Conferences | Yes | Yes | Yes | |||
| Present at Conferences | Yes | Yes | Yes | |||
| Access to Professional Journals | ||||||
| Outside Speakers | ||||||
| Required Weekly Meetings | Yes | |||||
| Optional Weekly Meetings | ||||||
| Required Monthly Meetings | Yes | Yes | ||||
| Optional Monthly Meetings | Yes | |||||
| Workshops or In-Service | ||||||
| Meetings with Director | ||||||
| Other |
First-Year Writing--First-Year Composition: Curriculum
What is the content for the first or only semester of FYC? Check all that apply.
Other
What is the content for the first or only semester of FYC? Check all that apply - Other - Text
We still have a "general writing" progression that include three papers, one analyzing a text, one analyzing a visual image, and a slightly longer research paper. The readings are relatively short nonfiction pieces.
What is the content for the second semester of FYC? Check all that apply.
Literature
What is the content for the second semester of FYC? Check all that apply - Other - Text
Three papers are assigned, all about literature; one is a research paper.
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 semester of face-to-face FYC?
17
In the academic year 2016/17, what was the enrollment cap for Basic Writing sections of the first or only semester of face-to-face FYC?
15
In the academic year 2016/17, what was the enrollment cap for Regular sections of the second semester of face-to-face FYC?
18
First-Year Writing--First-Year Seminar: Curriculum
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?
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-
I think the first semester of the writing requirement will become more aligned with rhetorical/genre studies approach; we are piloting sections now. We are starting to make headway, very slowly, with a WAC program, which will also involve more systematic assessment of the reading/writing proficiency required by the University.
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.
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
If faculty attend a seminar or workshop, how are they compensated?
They receive food at the event.
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.
Yes
What are the criteria for a WI course?
Number of pages or words written
Revision
Time discussing writing In class
Written or verbal feedback from instructor
Percentage of course grade in writing
Writing across the curriculum (WAC)--Changes to WAC
Feel free to explain any upcoming changes.
A WAC Working Group met last year to put together a proposal for a WAC program. Although it has not been officially approved yet, we are moving forward under the auspices of the Center for Faculty Development and the Core Curriculum Committee to do writing assessment during students' first three years and to support that assessment work through faculty development. That is, we will be able to assess papers submitted by students taking writing-proficiency-infused courses. Faculty development will support both writing instruction and assessment work.
The undergraduate and graduate writing major and minor--Description of Undergraduate Major
What areas of writing can students specialize in as part of the major? Check all that apply.
Professional writing
Rhetoric/ composition
Other
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)?
Yes
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
What were the changes? Check all that apply.
An undergraduate writing major was created (not including creative writing).
Since the academic year 2012/13, have there been changes to the graduate writing program?
No
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 have just appointed a specific Director of Writing Studies to oversee the undergraduate Creative Writing and Writing majors and minors because they have increased in popularity significantly. We are also discussing some minor curricular changes to make it possible for students to get into the Creative Writing courses earlier in their programs. We will address the needs of the Writing Major once we have had it a bit longer.
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
SAT/ACT scores
GPA
What type of supports are available for basic writers? Check all that apply.
Special sections of FYW
Summer bridge program
Other
What type of supports are available for basic writers? Check all that apply. - Other - Text
1. special sections of FYW are 6-credit versions of College English I 2. basic writing course through directed self-placement for provisional admits
What is the structure of your basic writing program? Check all that apply. (See Glossary for an explanation of terms)
Intensive model
Directed self-placement
What is the curriculum of the basic writing courses? Check all that apply. - Other - Text
It is the same curriculum as College English I--just supplemented to provide support
How do students exit basic writing? Check all that apply. - Other - Text
Since the intensive course is also College English I, passing the course necessarily entails exiting basic writing
Basic or Developmental Writing--Changes to Basic or Developmental Writing
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.
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 reading
Assistance with online research
Assistance with job materials
Assistance with graduate school materials
Assistance for English Language Learners
Writing centers--Consultations
What type of appointments does the writing center offer?
scheduled face-to-face appts
drop-in face-to-face appts
online feedback via e-mail
What is the average length of a consultation or tutorial session offered?
45 minutes
What percentage of the undergraduate student body had a writing center consultation during the 2016-17 academic year?
55
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-14, GS-7, Fac-8, PT-6
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-55, GS-20, Fac-15, PT-10
How are undergraduate consultants initially trained?
Half-credit course
Staff meetings
Workshops before semester begins
What on-going professional development opportunities are provided undergraduate consultants?
Attend regional conferences
Present at regional conferences
Read professional journals
Outside speakers
Staff meetings
Reflections
Meeting with Director
What on-going professional development opportunities are provided graduate consultants?
Attend regional conferences
Meeting with Director
What on-going professional development opportunities are provided professional consultants?
No opportunities available
No opportunities available
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?
1
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?
Yes
What changes were made to the staffing or administration of the writing center?
Professional tutor positions increased
Writing Fellows (Embedded Writing Tutors)--General information
Does your institution have a writing fellows program? (See glossary for definitions)
No
Multilingual Writing Support--Multilingual Writing Support: General
Is there support for domestic and international English Language Learners (ELLs)?
Yes, for both domestic and international
What percentage of the student body is placed into ELL writing courses, both required and optional?
3
What is the institutional home of the ELL writing courses? - Other - Text
The English Dept is the home for all my answers. There is a separate non-credit-bearing program for international students housed in the School of Education
Who has primary responsibility for administering support for English Language Learners?
Full-time non-tenure line director/coordinator
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
SAT/ACT scores
GPA
What type of supports are available for domestic English Language Learners (ELLs)? Check all that apply.
Targeted optional writing courses
Peer tutoring
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
TOEFL scores
What type of supports are available for International English Language Learners (ELLs)? Check all that apply.
Targeted optional writing courses
Peer tutoring
Multilingual Writing Support--Changes to Multilingual Writing Support
Since AY 2012/13, have there been changes to the support for English Language Learners (ELLs)?
Yes
What changes have there been to the support for English Language Learners (ELLs)? Check all that apply.
Courses for ELLs were added.
Other.
What changes have there been to the support for English Language Learners (ELLs)? Check all that apply. - Other - Text
Two sections of College English I were created primarily for a new program in the School of Business that recruited students from China who had finished their sophomore year in China. This ESL version of College English I had been defunct for years but was resuscitated to meet the needs of these students.
Do you foresee changes to the administrative, curricular, or support structures for helping diversely prepared students at your institution over the next four years?
Yes
Feel free to explain your answer.
I think we're going to have to get smarter about how to support the growing number of students from China, though I'm not sure what that will entail yet.
Administrative positions--First-Year Writing Administrator (FYWA)
Which of the following teaching responsibilities does the FYWA have? Check all that apply.
Teach courses
Train tutors, TAs, or professional staff
faculty workshops
On average, how many courses per year are reassigned for the administrative responsibilities of the FYWA?
2
Which of the following are the administrative responsibilities of the FYWA?
Develop curriculum
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)
Schedule
Place students into writing courses
Facilitate placement exam
Maintain program/department/center website
Serve as an academic advisor
Administrative positions--Writing Center Administrator (WCA)
If the WCA was not hired for this position, how did they assume these responsibilities?
The position rotates among faculty in the department.
Which of the following teaching responsibilities does the WCA have? Check all that apply.
Teach courses
Tutor students
Train tutors, TAs, or professional staff
student workshops
On average, how many courses per year are reassigned for WCA administrative responsibilities?
1
Which of the following are the administrative responsibilities of the WCA?
Develop curriculum
Create Program Documents
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)
Schedule writing courses
Advertise program
Oversee program budget
Plan events
Maintain program/department/center website
Serve on university committees
Administrative positions--Basic Writing Administrator (BWA)
Which of the following teaching responsibilities does the BWA have? Check all that apply.
Teach courses
Train tutors, TAs, or professional staff
faculty workshops
On average, how many courses per year are reassigned for BWA administrative responsibilities?
2