University of Puget Sound2017 Institution Survey
Institutional requirements and goals--Writing Requirement
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 an explicit goal of first-year writing.
Institutional requirements and goals--College Writing Goals
Institutional requirements and goals--Writing Committee
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 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 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?
Yes
What type of changes to the institutional sites of writing do you foresee in the next four years?
Changes to the curricular structures or writing requirement
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.
It's hard to say, but we're in the midst of strategic planning, and there are conversations around student diversity and faculty development that will likely result in changes.
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 Writing Seminar (FYWS)
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
First-Year Writing--First-Year Writing Seminar: Placement & Transfer
If your institution accepts alternative credit for FYWS, which mechanism is used? Check all that apply.
Transfer credit from another institution
What percentage of students in AY 2016/17 received alternative credit for a FYWS course?
5
First-Year Writing--First-Year Writing Seminar: Goals
If there are explicit goals for FYWS, are the goals informed by the WPA Outcomes Statement?
Yes
First-Year Writing--First-Year Writing Seminar: Delivery Methods
During the academic year 2016-17, what percentage of sections of FYWS were face-to-face?
100
During the academic year 2016-17, what percentage of sections of FYWS were online?
0
During the academic year 2016-17, what percentage of sections of FYWS were hybrid?
0
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.
Solo
Beside the person who has primary responsibility for administering FYWS, how many graduate students, staff members, or faculty members have administrative responsibilities for FYWS?
0
In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of face-to-face FYWS were taught by FT, tenure-line faculty in the English Department?
18
In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of face-to-face FYWS 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 FYWS were taught by FT, tenure-line faculty from departments besides English and rhetoric/composition?
57
In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of face-to-face FYWS were taught by FT, non-tenure line faculty in the English Department?
11
In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of face-to-face FYWS 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 FYWS were taught by FT, non-tenure line faculty from departments besides English and rhetoric/composition?
13
In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of face-to-face FYWS 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 FYWS 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 FYWS 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 FYWS were taught by graduate students in English?
0
In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of face-to-face FYWS were taught by graduate students in rhetoric/composition?
0
In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of face-to-face FYWS 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 FYWS were taught by the first-year writing director?
0
In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of face-to-face FYWS were taught by Other?
0
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 | |||||
| Optional Course | |||||
| Optional Workshops | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Individual Meetings with Director | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 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 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 | |||||
| Present at Conferences | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Access to Professional Journals | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Outside Speakers | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Required Weekly Meetings | |||||
| Optional Weekly Meetings | |||||
| Required Monthly Meetings | |||||
| Optional Monthly Meetings | |||||
| Workshops or In-Service | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Meetings with Director | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Other |
First-Year Writing--First-Year Writing Seminar: Curriculum
What is the content for the first or only semester of FYWS? Check all that apply.
Literature
Genre/Modes
Writing about Writing
WAC/discipline topics
Research
What is the content for the second semester of FYWS? Check all that apply.
Literature
Genre/Modes
Writing about Writing
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 Honors sections of the first or only semester of face-to-face FYWS?
17
In the academic year 2016/17, what was the enrollment cap for Regular sections of the first or only semester of face-to-face FYWS?
17
In the academic year 2016/17, what was the enrollment cap for Honors sections of the second semester of face-to-face FYWS?
17
In the academic year 2016/17, what was the enrollment cap for Regular sections of the second semester of face-to-face FYWS?
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?
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, what have been the changes to the first-year writing requirement at your institution? Check all that apply. - Other - Text
the learning outcomes were changed and the courses were sequenced
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-
As I indicated at the very beginning, I'm now Associate Academic Dean (starting July 1, 2018). I have been the de facto FYWS director, as the writing center director. Currently, no faculty member is responsible for the FYWS, but a goal I have as Associate Dean is to restructure responsibilities so that more faculty have responsibility for the FYWSs and so that all faculty teaching in the FYWS have some ongoing professional development related to writing.
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.
Individual students can choose to complete to complete a senior 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.
They receive a stipend.
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?
No
Do you foresee any major changes to WAC on your campus in the next four years?
Maybe
Feel free to explain any upcoming changes.
We are revisiting and possibly changing the Core curriculum, and the formalization of a WAC program might be part of those changes.
The undergraduate and graduate writing major and minor--Description of Undergraduate Major
The undergraduate and graduate writing major and minor--Description of Undergraduate Minor
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?
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?
No
Basic or Developmental Writing--Basic or Developmental Writing
Does your institution identify basic writing students who may need additional writing support?
No
What type of supports are available for basic writers? Check all that apply.
Peer tutoring
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?
Yes
Feel free to explain your answer.
What is likely to happen is more campus-wide faculty development for supporting diversely prepared writers. We currently have some cohort programs (Posse and a local version) that might serve as models for working with diversely prepared students.
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?
Teaching and learning center
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
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 reading
Assistance with online research
Assistance with oral presentations
Assistance with how to lead a class discussion
Assistance with graduate school materials
Assistance with other content areas
Assistance for English Language Learners
Asssistance for faculty on syllabus or curriculum development
What events does the writing center offer?
Student workshops
Faculty workshops
Space for student to come together to write
Space for faculty or staff to come together to write
Faculty writing groups
Speakers
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
online feedback via e-mail
What is the average length of a consultation or tutorial session offered?
50 minutes
What percentage of the undergraduate student body had a writing center consultation during the 2016-17 academic year?
24
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-16, GS-2, Fac-2
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-90, GS-4, Fac-6
How are undergraduate consultants initially trained?
Half-credit course
Staff meetings
Workshops before semester begins
How are graduate consultants initially trained?
Half-credit course
Staff meetings
Workshops before semester begins
How are faculty consultants initially trained?
Staff meetings
Workshops before semester begins
What on-going professional development opportunities are provided undergraduate consultants?
Attend national conferences
Present at national conferences
Read professional journals
Staff meetings
Semester inservice or workshop
Reflections
Meeting with Director
What on-going professional development opportunities are provided graduate consultants?
Attend national conferences
Attend regional conferences
Read professional journals
Staff meetings
Semester inservice or workshop
Reflections
Meeting with Director
What on-going professional development opportunities are provided faculty consultants?
Staff meetings
Semester inservice or workshop
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?
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
Writing centers--Changes
Since the academic year 2012/13 have there been changes to the writing center at your institution (not including staffing)?
Yes
What other changes have been made to the writing center?
We added drop-in appointments and a required training course.
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
What other changes have been made to the staffing or administration of the writing center?
Additional staff FTE have been added.
Feel free to explain these upcoming changes.
The person in the writing center/WAC/FYS director position has been promoted for a term as associate dean, and the writing center staffing is being temporarily reconfigured. It is likely/desirable that some of those shifts become a permanent way to have more faculty with administrative responsibilities in the writing center/WAC/FYS.
Writing Fellows (Embedded Writing Tutors)--General information
Does your institution have a writing fellows program? (See glossary for definitions)
Yes
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?
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?
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.
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.
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)?
Yes
What changes have there been to the support for English Language Learners (ELLs)? Check all that apply.
Other.
What changes have there been to the support for English Language Learners (ELLs)? Check all that apply. - Other - Text
We developed a Language Partners Program to formalize pairing ELL writers with writing tutors for intentional, repeating appointments.
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.
What is likely to happen is more campus-wide faculty development for supporting diversely prepared writers. We currently have some cohort programs (Posse and a local version) that might serve as models for working with diversely prepared students.
Administrative positions--Solo Writing Administrator (SWA)
If the SWA was not hired for this position, how did they assume these responsibilities?
Previous director retired or left the position.
Which of the following teaching responsibilities does the SWA have? Check all that apply.
Teach courses
Train tutors, TAs, or professional staff
faculty workshops
student workshops
On average, how many courses per year are reassigned for SWA administrative responsibilities?
4
Which of the following are the administrative responsibilities of the SWA?
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)
Oversee program budget
Plan events
Serve on university committees
Serve as an academic advisor