University of Wyoming2017 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)
First-year seminars taught by faculty across the curriculum (FYWS)
Mid-level writing course
Writing-intensive courses that are located throughout the curriculum (W courses)
Writing in the major
Portfolio
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
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
Institutional requirements and goals--Changes to Writing Program
Which changes took place in regards to the writing requirement?
The writing requirement was changed.
The writing requirement was expanded.
Writing-intensive courses were dropped.
Students are required to take fewer writing-intensive courses than before.
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?
Changes are still unclear
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
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
Dual enrollment
CLEP
Other
What percentage of students in AY 2016/17 received alternative credit for a FYC course?
50
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.
Paper Portfolio
Electronic Portfolio
Student Survey
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 online?
1
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
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?
4
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, non-tenure line faculty in the English Department?
23
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)?
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)?
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?
69
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?
2
In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of face-to-face FYC were taught by Other?
2
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?
0
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)?
100
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?
0
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
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 | Yes | |||||
| Required Workshops | Yes | Yes | ||||
| Optional Course | ||||||
| Optional Workshops | Yes | Yes | ||||
| Individual Meetings with Director | ||||||
| Weekly Staff Meetings | Yes | |||||
| Monthly Staff Meetings | ||||||
| No training is provided | ||||||
| Other |
Do those attending initial training receive additional compensation or course credit?
Yes for full-time faculty only
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 | ||||
| Present at Conferences | Yes | Yes | Yes | |||
| Access to Professional Journals | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Outside Speakers | Yes | Yes | Yes | |||
| Required Weekly Meetings | Yes | |||||
| Optional Weekly Meetings | ||||||
| Required Monthly Meetings | ||||||
| Optional Monthly Meetings | ||||||
| Workshops or In-Service | Yes | Yes | Yes | |||
| 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.
Genre/Modes
Research
Multimodal
Other
What is the content for the first or only semester of FYC? Check all that apply - Other - Text
public genres (e.g., op-ed, PSA)
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?
18
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?
23
In the academic year 2016/17, what was the enrollment cap for Regular sections of the first or only semester of online FYC?
25
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?
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, what have been the changes to the first-year writing requirement at your institution? Check all that apply. - Other - Text
Change to curriculum
Since AY 2012/13, have there been changes to the first-year writing placement mechanism or how alternate credit is granted at your institution?
No
Since AY 2012/13, have there been changes to the first-year writing assessment at your institution?
Yes
Since AY 2012/13, what have been the changes to the first-year writing assessment at your institution? Check all that apply.
The learning outcomes/goals of first-year writing changed.
Assessment of the course/program changed.
Since AY 2012/13, have there been changes to the first-year curriculum or enrollment caps at your institution?
Yes
Since AY 2012/13, what have been the changes to the first-year curriculum or enrollment caps at your institution? Check all that apply.
The course content changed.
Since AY 2012/13, have there been changes to the administration or staffing of first year writing at your institution?
Yes
Since AY 2012/13, what have been the changes to the administration or staffing of first year writing at your institution? Check all that apply
A first-year writing director position was converted to a tenure line.
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.
2
By which semester must a student complete the first required course beyond FYW?
By graduation
By which semester must a student the second required course beyond FYW?
By graduation
By which semester must a student complete the third course beyond FYW?
By graduation
Upper Level Writing Courses--Upper Level Writing Courses: Goals
If the 1st course has explicit goals, have they been influenced by the WPA Outcomes Statement?
Yes
How are the goals of the 1st course beyond FYW assessed? Check all that apply.
Paper portfolio
Electronic portfolio
Professor evaluation
If the 2nd course has explicit goals, have they been influenced by the WPA Outcomes Statement?
Yes
How are the goals of the 2nd course beyond FYW assessed? Check all that apply.
Professor evaluation
Other
If the 3rd course has explicit goals, have they been influenced by the WPA Outcomes Statement?
Yes
How are the goals of the 3rd course beyond FYW assessed? Check all that apply.
Professor evaluation
Other
Upper Level Writing Courses--Upper Level Writing Courses: Content
What is the content of the 1st course beyond FYW? Check all that apply.
Research writing
Argumentative writing
Other
What is the content of the 2nd course beyond FYW? Check all that apply.
Argumentative writing
Other
What is the content of the 3rd course beyond FYW? Check all that apply.
Argumentative writing
Writing in the disciplines
Other
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)?
Yes
Since AY 2012/13, what have been the changes to the requirement for writing courses beyond the first year (not writing-intensive)? Check all that apply.
Other
Since AY 2012/13, what have been the changes to the requirement for writing courses beyond the first year (not writing-intensive)? Check all that apply.- Other - Text
Objectives revised, curriculum changed
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.
Yes
What form of assessment takes place of the WI goals?
Random sample of student writing
No assessment takes place
What are the criteria for a WI course?
Revision
Time discussing writing In class
Written or verbal feedback from instructor
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
What other changes occurred?
WI was combined with oral communication gen-ed requirement, so we now have 3 "CI" courses rather than 3 WI + 1 Oral Com requirement.
Feel free to explain any upcoming changes.
It appears that there is substantial administrative support for a unit, housed within our center for teaching and learning, that would take on many of the roles of WAC programs. This would hopefully include a much more focused effort to provide faculty development for writing instruction, a research component (including assessment/accreditation) ad increased support for grad students and faculty as writers as well as teachers of writing.
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
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 minor was created (not including creative writing).
Since the academic year 2012/13, have there been changes to the graduate writing program?
Yes
What were the changes? Check all that apply.
A Master's degree in writing/rhetoric was added.
Do you foresee changes to the administrative, curricular, or support structures of the writing major, minor, or graduate programs at your institution over the next four years?
Yes
Feel free to explain any forthcoming changes.
We have instituted a "public-facing thesis portfolio" as an alternative option to the traditional, multi-chapter MA thesis. Students may design a variety of genres that speak to either academic or alt-academic careers they wish to pursue post-graduation.
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
Targeted optional writing courses
Peer tutoring
Other
What type of supports are available for basic writers? Check all that apply. - Other - Text
Bridge learning community for conditionally-admitted freshmen
What is the institutional home of the basic writing program?
Academic skills program
What is the structure of your basic writing program? Check all that apply. (See Glossary for an explanation of terms)
Stretch model
Intensive model
Directed self-placement
What is the curriculum of the basic writing courses? Check all that apply.
Sentence writing
Paragraph writing
Reading and writing
Other
What is the curriculum of the basic writing courses? Check all that apply. - Other - Text
College transition support, learning community connections, campus engagement, advisor integration
How do students exit basic writing? Check all that apply.
Passing grade in basic writing course
Basic or Developmental Writing--Changes to Basic or Developmental Writing
What changes have there been to the support for basic writers? Check all that apply.
Basic writing classes were added
The placement mechanism for basic writing was changed.
The content of basic writing courses changed.
A summer bridge program was added.
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.
Additional support for students on academic probation, as well as first-generation and low-income 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.
Library
How are the goals assessed?
Student feedback forms
Faculty feedback
Center usage statistics
In addition to providing support for students writing for their courses, what services does the writing center offer? Check all that apply.
Assistance with multimodal assignments
Assistance with online research
Assistance with oral presentations
Assistance with Powerpoint or other presentation software
Assistance with job materials
Assistance with graduate school materials
Assistance for English Language Learners
Asssistance for faculty on syllabus or curriculum development
What events does the writing center offer?
Student workshops
Faculty workshops
Space for student to come together to write
Student writing groups
Other
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
scheduled phone appts
online feedback via e-mail
What is the average length of a consultation or tutorial session offered?
40 minutes
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
What is the institutional home of the ELL writing courses? - Other - Text
English Language Center
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?
No
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.
TOEFL scores
What type of supports are available for International English Language Learners (ELLs)? Check all that apply.
Targeted optional writing courses
Peer tutoring
Workshops
Multilingual Writing Support--Changes to Multilingual Writing Support
Since AY 2012/13, have there been changes to the support for English Language Learners (ELLs)?
No
Administrative positions--Basic Writing Administrator (BWA)
How is the Basic Writing Administrator position (BWA) classified?
Hybrid Faculty/Staff-FT
If the BWA was not hired for this position, how did they assume these responsibilities?
Embedded within the responsibilities of the chair of the department
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?
5+