Virginia Commonwealth University2017 Institution Survey

Institutional requirements and goals--Writing Requirement

Does your institution have a writing requirement?

Yes

What does the writing requirement at your institution consist of?

Other

Are there curricular requirements that are not part of the writing requirement but that have writing as an explicit goal?

Yes

What curricular requirements have writing as an explicit goal?

Senior capstone or thesis for some or all students

First-year seminar

other requirements

What other curricular requirements have writing as an explicit goal?

courses designated writing intensive

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

Are there institution-wide student writing goals?

No

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 for assessment.

Data used to support curricular changes.

Institutional requirements and goals--Changes to Writing Program

Were there changes to the writing requirement since the academic year 2012-13?

No

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 assessment

Changes to expand the writing program or sites of writing on campus

First-Year Writing--General Description

Does your institution have a first-year writing requirement, whether explicit or embedded?

Yes

What is the institutional home for first-year writing?

Multiple homes

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: 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?

20

In the academic year 2016/17, what was the enrollment cap for Honors sections of the second semester of face-to-face FYC?

20

First-Year Writing--First-Year Writing Seminar: Placement & Transfer

In the academic year 2016-17, how many students took FYWS?

3354

Does your institution accept alternative credit for FYWS?

Yes

If your institution accepts alternative credit for FYWS, which mechanism is used? Check all that apply.

Transfer credit from another institution

Dual enrollment

AP/IB results

CLEP

What percentage of students in AY 2016/17 received alternative credit for a FYWS course?

41

Is there a placement mechanism for FYWS?

No

What percentage of students in AY 2016/17 placed out of a FYWS course?

0

First-Year Writing--First-Year Writing Seminar: Goals

Are there explicit goals for FYWS?

Yes

If there are explicit goals for FYWS, are the goals informed by the WPA Outcomes Statement?

Yes

How are the FYWS goals assessed? Check all that apply.

Electronic Portfolio

Random Sample

First-Year Writing--First-Year Writing Seminar: Delivery Methods

In AY 2016/17, did your institution offer face-to-face sections of FYWS?

Yes

In AY 2016/17, did your institution offer online sections of FYWS?

Yes

In AY 2016/17, did your institution offer hybrid sections of FYWS?

Yes

During the academic year 2016-17, what percentage of sections of FYWS were face-to-face?

97

During the academic year 2016-17, what percentage of sections of FYWS were online?

1

During the academic year 2016-17, what percentage of sections of FYWS were hybrid?

2

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.

Other

Beside the person who has primary responsibility for administering FYWS, how many graduate students, staff members, or faculty members have administrative responsibilities for FYWS?

5+

In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of online FYWS were taught by FT, tenure-line faculty in the English Department?

0

In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of online 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 online FYWS 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 FYWS 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 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 online FYWS were taught by FT, non-tenure line faculty from departments besides English and rhetoric/composition?

97

In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of online FYWS were taught by PT faculty (hired by the English Department)?

0

In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of online FYWS were taught by PT faculty (hired by the rhetoric/composition department or program)?

1

In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of online FYWS were taught by PT faculty (hired by another department/program)?

0

In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of online FYWS were taught by graduate students in English?

0

In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of online FYWS were taught by graduate students in rhetoric/composition?

0

In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of online FYWS were taught by graduate students from departments outside English and rhetoric/composition?

2

In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of online FYWS were taught by the first-year writing director?

0

In the 2016-17 academic year, what percentage of sections of online 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 FacultyFT-TT Faculty from other disciplinesFT-NTT English/ Writing FacultyFT-NTT Faculty from other disciplinesPart-Time FacultyGraduate StudentsOther Types of Instructor
Required Course
Required WorkshopsYes
Optional Course
Optional Workshops
Individual Meetings with Director
Weekly Staff Meetings
Monthly Staff MeetingsYes
No training is provided
OtherYes

Do those attending initial training receive additional compensation or course credit?

No

For FYWS, what types of on-going professional development is provided? Check all that apply.

FT-TT English/ Writing FacultyFT-TT Faculty from other disciplinesFT-NTT English/ Writing FacultyFT-NTT Faculty from other disciplinesPart-Time FacultyGraduate StudentsOther Types of Instructor
Attend ConferencesYes
Present at ConferencesYes
Access to Professional JournalsYes
Outside SpeakersYes
Required Weekly Meetings
Optional Weekly Meetings
Required Monthly MeetingsYes
Optional Monthly Meetings
Workshops or In-Service
Meetings with DirectorYes
Other

First-Year Writing--First-Year Writing Seminar: Curriculum

Which type of scheduling does your institution follow?

Semester

Is there a common syllabus for the first or only semester of FYWS?

Yes

What is the content for the first or only semester of FYWS? Check all that apply.

Genre/Modes

Writing about Writing

Themes

Teaching for Transfer

Research

Multimodal

Is there a common syllabus for the second semester of FYWS?

Yes

What is the content for the second semester of FYWS? Check all that apply.

Genre/Modes

Writing about Writing

Themes

Teaching for Transfer

Research

First-Year Writing--First-Year Writing Seminar: Course Caps

In the academic year 2016/17, what was the enrollment cap for Regular sections of the first or only semester of face-to-face FYWS?

22

In the academic year 2016/17, what was the enrollment cap for Regular sections of the second semester of face-to-face FYWS?

22

In the academic year 2016/17, what was the enrollment cap for Regular sections of the second semester of hybrid FYWS?

22

In the academic year 2016/17, what was the enrollment cap for Regular sections of the second semester of online FYWS?

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?

Yes

Since AY 2012/13, what have been the changes to the first-year writing placement mechanism or how alternate credit is granted at your institution? Check all that apply.

Alternate credit options were expanded.

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.

Fully online FYW courses were added.

Hybrid FYW courses were added.

Course caps were lowered.

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

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.

1

By which semester must a student complete the first required course beyond FYW?

2nd semester of sophomore year

Upper Level Writing Courses--Upper Level Writing Courses: Goals

Does the 1st course beyond FYW have explicit goals?

Yes

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.

Random sample of student writing

Professor evaluation

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

Writing in the disciplines

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

Does your institution have a formal WAC Program?

No

Is there professional development available for those teaching in the WAC Program or teaching WI courses?

No

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

How long has the WI requirement been in existence?

15+ years

How many WI courses are required beyond the first-year requirement?

3

How many WI courses are part of a first-year requirement?

2

When do WI courses need to be completed?

By graduation

Are there explicit goals for the WI courses?

Yes

Have the goals been influenced by the WPA Outcomes Statement?

Yes

What form of assessment takes place of the WI goals?

Electronic portfolio

Random sample of student writing

Professor evaluation

What are the criteria for a WI course?

Number of pages or words written

Revision

Percentage of course grade in writing

Who certifies that a course fulfills WI designation?

Curriculum Committee

Are there incentives offered for faculty to teach a WI course?

No

In academic year 2016/17, what was the course cap for WI courses?

22

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?

No

The undergraduate and graduate writing major and minor--Description of Undergraduate Major

Does your institution have a creative writing major?

No

Does your institution have a writing major (other than creative writing)?

No

The undergraduate and graduate writing major and minor--Description of Undergraduate Minor

Does your institution have a creative writing minor?

Yes

Does your institution have a writing minor (other than creative writing)?

No

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

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

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

Tutoring from WPA or WCD

Does your institution have a formal basic writing program?

No

What is the structure of your basic writing program? Check all that apply. (See Glossary for an explanation of terms)

Mainstreaming model

Is there a Director of Basic Writing?

No

Basic or Developmental Writing--Changes to Basic or Developmental Writing

Since AY 2012/13, have there been changes to the support for basic writers?

Yes

What changes have there been to the support for basic writers? Check all that apply.

Other.

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.

Academic building

Is there a mission statement for the writing center?

Yes

Are there explicit goals for the writing center?

Yes

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 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 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

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

What is the average length of a consultation or tutorial session offered?

50 minutes

Writing centers--Consultants

How many consultants worked in the writing center during the 2016-17 academic year? UG=undergraduates, GS=graduate students, Fac=faculty, PT=professional tutors, Vol=volunteers

UG-23, GS-21

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-60, GS-40

How are undergraduate consultants initially trained?

Full-credit course

Staff meetings

Workshops before semester begins

How are graduate consultants initially trained?

Staff meetings

Workshops before semester begins

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

Outside speakers

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

Present at national conferences

Present at regional conferences

Read professional journals

Outside speakers

Staff meetings

Semester inservice or workshop

Reflections

Meeting with Director

How are the undergradaute consultants compensated?

Hourly wage

Course credit

How are the graduate consultants compensated?

Hourly wage

Stipend

Tuition waiver

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?

1

Does the writing center have a faculty advisory committee?

No

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 changes have been made?

Satellite located added

Added services

Dropped services

Added online tutoring

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

Graduate positions decreased

Do you foresee changes to the writing center over the next four years?

No

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

Is support for English Language Learners (ELLs) separate from basic writing?

Yes

What percentage of the student body is placed into ELL writing courses, both required and optional?

1

What is the institutional home of the ELL writing courses?

Other

What is the institutional home of the ELL writing courses? - Other - Text

English Language Program in Global 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

What type of supports are available for domestic English Language Learners (ELLs)? Check all that apply.

Required basic writing course

Tutoring 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.

TOEFL scores

International ELL Placement Test

What type of supports are available for International English Language Learners (ELLs)? Check all that apply.

Required basic writing course

Tutoring 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)?

Yes

What changes have there been to the support for English Language Learners (ELLs)? Check all that apply.

Other.

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.

We are contracting with Navitas to recruit and support International students.