University of Minnesota-Twin Cities2017 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)
Senior thesis or capstone experience
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 not a component of any institution writing requirements.
Institutional requirements and goals--College Writing Goals
Institutional requirements and goals--Writing Committee
Who serves on the committee?
Writing Across the Curriculum Administrator
Faculty across the disciplines
Institutional requirements and goals--National Survey of Student Engagement
Does your institution administer the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE)?
No
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
What other changes took place in regards to writing assessment?
Units (departments, schools and colleges) participating in the WEC program (elective) undergo triennial assessment of capstone level writing by independent panels
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 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?
35
If there is a placement mechanism for FYC, what is it? Check all that apply.
SAT/ACT scores
Other
First-Year Writing--First-Year Composition: Goals
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.
Course Evaluation or Grades
Other
First-Year Writing--First-Year Composition: Delivery Methods
During the academic year 2016-17, what percentage of sections of FYC were face-to-face?
95
During the academic year 2016-17, what percentage of sections of FYC were online?
2.5
During the academic year 2016-17, what percentage of sections of FYC were hybrid?
2.5
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?
1
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?
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 rhetoric/composition department or program?
2
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?
38
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)?
0
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)?
8
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?
36
In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of face-to-face FYC were taught by graduate students in rhetoric/composition?
10
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?
5
In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of face-to-face FYC were taught by the first-year writing director?
1
In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of face-to-face FYC were taught by Other?
1
In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of online 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 online 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 online 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 online FYC were taught by FT, non-tenure line faculty in the rhetoric/composition department or program?
50
In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of online 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 online FYC were taught by PT faculty (hired by the English Department)?
0
In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of online 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 online FYC were taught by PT faculty (hired by another department/program)?
0
In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of online FYC were taught by graduate students in English?
50
In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of online FYC were taught by graduate students in rhetoric/composition?
0
In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of online 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 online FYC were taught by the first-year writing director?
0
In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of online FYC were taught by Other?
0
In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of hybrid FYC were taught by FT, tenure-line faculty in the English Department?
0
In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of hybrid 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 hybrid 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 hybrid 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 hybrid 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 hybrid 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 hybrid FYC were taught by PT faculty (hired by the English Department)?
0
In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of hybrid 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 hybrid FYC were taught by PT faculty (hired by another department or program)?
0
In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of hybrid FYC were taught by graduate students in English?
0
In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage ofsections of hybrid FYC were taught by graduate students in rhetoric/composition?
50
In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of hybrid FYC were taught by graduate students from departments outside English and rhetoric/composition?
50
In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of hybrid FYC were taught by the first-year writing director?
0
In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of hybrid 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 | Graduate Students | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Required Course | ||||||
| Required Workshops | Yes | |||||
| Optional Course | ||||||
| Optional Workshops | Yes | Yes | ||||
| Individual Meetings with Director | Yes | |||||
| Weekly Staff Meetings | ||||||
| Monthly Staff Meetings | ||||||
| No training is provided | Yes | |||||
| Other | 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 | ||||||
| Optional Weekly Meetings | ||||||
| Required Monthly Meetings | Yes | |||||
| Optional Monthly Meetings | Yes | Yes | 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.
Writing about Writing
Themes
Research
Other
What is the content for the first or only semester of FYC? Check all that apply - Other - Text
Instructors pick their own course readings to teach from.
First-Year Writing--First-Year Composition: Course Caps
In the academic year 2016/17, what was the enrollment cap for Honors sections of the first or only semester of face-to-face FYC?
24
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?
24
In the academic year 2016/17, what was the enrollment cap for Regular sections of the first or only semester of hybrid FYC?
24
In the academic year 2016/17, what was the enrollment cap for Regular sections of the first or only semester of online FYC?
24
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?
20
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?
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.
Hybrid FYW courses were eliminated.
Other
Since AY 2012/13, what have been the changes to the first-year curriculum or enrollment caps at your institution? Check all that apply. - Other - Text
A new common text was added.
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?
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
What does the WAC Program consist of?
WI Courses
Writing Enriched Curriculum (WEC)
Faculty Development
Other
Has any aspect of the WAC Program been influenced by the Statement of WAC Principles and Practices?
No
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.
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
In academic year 2016/17, what was the course cap for WI courses?
Varies by department
Writing across the curriculum (WAC)--Administration
Who has primary responsibility for administering the WAC Program?
WAC 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?
5+
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
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
Technical writing
Digital/ new media writing
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
Technical writing
Digital/ new media writing
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)?
Yes
Does the graduate coursework include a course on writing program administration?
No, not offered
Does the graduate coursework include a course on writing center studies?
No, not offered
Roughly how many graduate students in your program complete their Ph.D.s each year?
4-6
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. - Other--Text
refining of BS in Technical Writing and Communication
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?
Unsure
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
TOEFL scores
International ELL Placement Test
Admissions office/Student Affairs referral
Advisor referral
Student self-referral
What type of supports are available for basic writers? Check all that apply.
Required basic writing course
Special sections of FYW
Targeted optional writing courses
Summer bridge program
Peer tutoring
Professional tutoring--not including from WPA or WCD
What is the institutional home of the basic writing program?
Writing department/program
What is the structure of your basic writing program? Check all that apply. (See Glossary for an explanation of terms)
Prerequisite model
Studio model
What is the curriculum of the basic writing courses? Check all that apply.
Grammar
Sentence writing
Paragraph writing
Reading and writing
How do students exit basic writing? Check all that apply. - Other - Text
Most students pass, but there is nothing to stop them from going on to take the credit-bearing FYW the next semester (even if they fail basic writing, and some do).
Basic or Developmental Writing--Changes to Basic or Developmental Writing
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?
Part of another institutional unit
If the writing center is not free-standing, what larger institutional unit is it a part of?
Rhetoric/writing department or program
Where is the writing center located? Note: From this point on writing center refers to both free-standing and those located within another unit.
Academic building
Multiple locations
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 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?
Faculty workshops
Space for faculty or staff to come together to write
Speakers
Dissertation or thesis boot camp
Other
What other events does the writing center offer?
NSF GRFP personal statement support retreat
Writing centers--Consultations
What type of appointments does the writing center offer?
scheduled face-to-face appts
drop-in face-to-face appts
scheduled online appts
What is the average length of a consultation or tutorial session offered?
40 minutes
What percentage of the undergraduate student body had a writing center consultation during the 2016-17 academic year?
7
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-21, GS-16, Prof 11
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-35, GS-50, PT-15
How are undergraduate consultants initially trained?
Full-credit course
Staff meetings
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
Staff meetings
Reflections
Meeting with Director
What on-going professional development opportunities are provided graduate consultants?
Attend national conferences
Attend regional conferences
Present at national conferences
Present at regional conferences
Read professional journals
Staff meetings
Reflections
Meeting with Director
What on-going professional development opportunities are provided professional consultants?
Attend national conferences
Attend regional conferences
Present at national conferences
Present at regional conferences
Read professional journals
Staff meetings
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 increased
Graduate positions increased
Professional tutor positions increased
What other changes have been made to the staffing or administration of the writing center?
One Co-Director position changed from 10-mth to 12-mth
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?
9
What is the institutional home of the ELL writing courses? - Other - Text
both Intensive English Program and Writing Studies Dept
Who has primary responsibility for administering support for English Language Learners?
Full-time staff 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
TOEFL scores
International ELL Placement Test
Admissions office/Student Affairs referral
Advisor referral
Student self-referral
What type of supports are available for domestic English Language Learners (ELLs)? Check all that apply.
Required basic writing course
Special sections of FYW
Targeted optional writing courses
Summer bridge program
Peer tutoring
Professional tutoring--not including from WPA or WCD
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
SAT/ACT scores
TOEFL scores
International ELL Placement Test
Admissions office/Student Affairs referral
Advisor referral
Student self-referral
What type of supports are available for International English Language Learners (ELLs)? Check all that apply.
Required basic writing course
Special sections of FYW
Targeted optional writing courses
Peer tutoring
Professional tutoring--not including from WPA or WCD
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--First-Year Writing Administrator (FYWA)
If the FYWA 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 FYWA have? Check all that apply.
Teach courses
Train tutors, TAs, or professional staff
student workshops
On average, how many courses per year are reassigned for the administrative responsibilities of the FYWA?
1
Which of the following are the administrative responsibilities of the FYWA?
Create Program Documents
Conduct assessment
Supervise (tutors, professional staff, or teaching faculty)
Oversee program budget
Administrative positions--Writing Across the Curriculum Administrator (WACA)
How is the Writing Across the Curriculum Administrator position (WACA) classified?
Staff-FT
Which of the following teaching responsibilities does the WACA have? Check all that apply.
Train tutors, TAs, or professional staff
faculty workshops
Which of the following are the administrative responsibilities of the WACA?
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
Maintain program/department/center website
Serve on university committees
Administrative positions--Writing Center Administrator (WCA)
Which of the following teaching responsibilities does the WCA have? Check all that apply.
Teach courses
Tutor students
Train tutors, TAs, or professional staff
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)
Schedule writing courses
Advertise program
Oversee program budget
Plan events
Serve on university committees