Stetson University2013 Institution Survey
Sites of writing--General Description
What is the institutional home of the writing program or department? (n=248)
independent program
If not part of the writing program or department, what is the institutional home for WAC? (n=227)
Office of Chief Academic Officer
Is writing in the disciplines part of the writing program or department? (n=265)
No
If not part of the writing program or department, what is the institutional home for writing in the disciplines? (n=184)
Office of Chief Academic Officer
Does your institution have a writing center or learning center with writing tutors? (n=679)
Yes
If not part of the writing program or department, what is the institutional home for the writing center? (n=487)
Independent program
Is the basic writing program part of the writing program or department? (n=357)
Yes
Sites of writing--Writing Requirement
What does the writing requirement at your institution consist of? (n=638)
First-year seminars taught by faculty across the curriculum (FYWS)
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? (n=657)
Yes
What curricular requirements have writing as an explicit goal? (n=342)
A senior capstone/thesis for some or all students has writing as an explicit goal.
The first-year seminar has writing as an explicit goal.
There are other requirements where writing is an explicit goal.
Sites of writing--College Writing Goals
Sites of writing--National Survey of Student Engagement
Does your institution administer the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE)? (n=667)
Yes
Is your school part of the WPA/NSSE Consortium for the Study of Writing in College? (n=494)
No
Sites of writing--Changes to Writing Program
Have there been changes to the writing program or sites of writing at your institution in the past 10 years? (n=666)
Yes
Which changes have taken place in regards to the writing requirement? (n=382)
The writing requirement was changed.
The writing requirement was expanded.
Writing-intensive courses were added to the writing requirement.
Students are required to take more writing-intensive courses than before.
A mid-level required course was added.
An exemption for first-year writing was dropped.
Were there changes to the assessment of writing at your institution over the past 10 years? (n=589)
Yes
Which changes have taken place in regards to assessment? (n=437)
A college-wide assessment was added.
Other
Were there any changes to the administrative structures of the writing program or the sites of writing over the past 10 years? (n=597)
Yes
Which administrative structures of the writing program or the sites of writing changed? (n=396)
A full-time WPA or WCD position was added.
A WPA/WCD position was converted to full-time.
Additional full-time WPA/WCD positions were created.
Was the writing program changed in the past 10 years to expand or eliminate areas? (n=609)
Yes
How did the writing program change? (n=346)
A writing center was added.
A writing center was merged with a learning commons.
A writing fellows program was added.
Other
Were there changes to the staffing of the writing program or center over the past 10 years? (n=595)
Yes
Which changes to the staffing of the writing program or center have taken place over the past 10 years? (n=412)
Full-time, non-tenure-line teaching positions were added.
Peer tutoring positions were added.
Were there any additional changes to the writing program or the sites of writing at your institution not already mentioned? (n=588)
No
Do you foresee changes to the administrative, curricular, or support structures of the sites of writing at your institution over the next five years? (n=661)
Yes
What type of changes to the administrative, curricular, or support structures of the sites of writing at your institution do you foresee in the next five years? (n=484)
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 eliminate or consolidate aspects of the writing program or sites of writing on campus
Changes to the types of staffing
If you foresee changes to the administrative, curricular, or support structures of the sites of writing at your institution over the next five years feel free to explain.
We are poised to go to a full on WAC program, which will unite all our Gen Ed areas and will offer departments the opportunity to develop a programmed writing element in the majors. This is being made possible by the appointment of an Assistant VP of Academic Affairs with sole oversight of Gen Ed, and because the person appointed is ENGL faculty, he has great plans. WAC/WID will alter our writing requirement to, most likely, a requirement of four or five WI courses rather than ENGL 101 + WI courses. That will expand the writing program significantly, and I've been promised an expanded and rehoused Writing Center as well. I think there will have to be sufficient changes to staffing to help with this transition and momentum, but I'm not sure yet what that hiring picture will look like. Our assessment will have to broaden out to a WAC/WID assessment model.
First-year writing/English composition--General Description
Does your institution have a first-year writing requirement whether explicit or embedded? (n=672)
Yes
First-year writing/English composition--Placement and Transfer
What is your program's placement mechanism?
| FYWS (n=18) | FYC (n=373) | FYS (n=13) | Other (n=20) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAT/ACT | Yes | |||
| AP/IB | Yes | |||
| CLEP | ||||
| In-house exam | ||||
| Directed self-placement | Yes | |||
| Portfolio | Yes | |||
| Dual enrollment/ transfer | Yes | |||
| Other | Yes |
First-year writing/English composition--Goals and Assessment
How are the goals for FYW courses assessed?
| FYWS (n=66) | FYC (n=381) | FYS (n=47) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper portfolio | |||
| E-portfolio | |||
| Random sample | Yes | Yes | |
| Exam | |||
| Professor evaluation | |||
| None | |||
| Course evaluation | |||
| Student survey | |||
| Other |
Who participates in the assessment of the goals for FYW courses?
| FYWS (n=53) | FYC (n=326) | FYS (n=41) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| WPA | Yes | Yes | |
| Writing faculty | Yes | Yes | |
| Institutional faculty | Yes | Yes | |
| Outside evaluators | |||
| English faculty | |||
| Department chair | |||
| Other |
First-year writing/English composition--Curriculum
What is the content of the FYS requirement? See Note 5. (n=60)
Themes
WAC/Topic Based
First-year writing/English composition--Enrollment Caps
First-year writing/English composition--Staffing
In the 2011-12 academic year, what percentage of FYS courses were taught by: See Note 2a. (n=54)
| Full-Time, Tenure Track English Faculty | Full-Time, Tenure Track Writing Faculty | Full-Time, Tenure Track Other Faculty | Full-Time, Non-Tenure Track English Faculty | Full-Time, Non-Tenure Track Writing Faculty | Full-Time, Non-Tenure Track Other Faculty | Part-time English Faculty | Part-time Writing Faculty | English Graduate TAs | Writing Graduate TAs | Other Graduate TAs | WPA | Other | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0% | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |||
| 1-5% | Yes | No | |||||||||||
| 6-15% | No | ||||||||||||
| 16-25% | Yes | No | |||||||||||
| 26-35% | No | ||||||||||||
| 36-50% | No | ||||||||||||
| 51-60% | No | ||||||||||||
| 61-75% | No | ||||||||||||
| 76-85% | Yes | No | |||||||||||
| 86-99% | No | ||||||||||||
| 100% | No |
Is there faculty or professional development available for those teaching FYS? (n=61)
Yes
What form does the faculty development take for FYW faculty?
| FYWS (n=70) | FYC (n=373) | FYS (n=55) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Requried pedagogy course taught by the WPA | |||
| Required faculty development workshops | |||
| Optional graduate pedagogy course | |||
| Optional faculty development workshops | Yes | ||
| Individual meetings with the WPA/WCD | |||
| Other |
Do those attending faculty development for FYS receive additional compensation? (n=57)
Yes
Identifying and supporting diversely-prepared students--General Description
Does your institution identify students who may need additional writing support, including students whose primary language is not English? (n=626)
Yes
How does the institution identify these students? (n=483)
SAT/ ACT scores
Admissions office/ student affairs referral
Faculty referral
Student self-referral
What types of supports are available to those students? (n=489)
Targeted optional writing courses
Peer tutoring
Identifying and supporting diversely-prepared students--Basic Writing
What percentage of the student body is placed into basic writing? See Note 4. (n=164)
10
What is the structure of the basic writing program? See Glossary for terms used. (n=205)
Prerequisite model
What is the curriculum of the basic writing courses? (n=203)
Grammar
Sentence writing
Paragraph writing
Reading and writing
Identifying and supporting diversely-prepared students--Support for English Language Learners
Writing across the curriculum (WAC) and writing beyond the first year--General Description
Does your institution have a WAC program and/or writing requirement beyond the first year? (n=642)
Yes
Does your institution require all students to take lower-division writing courses taught by the English or Writing department for students in other departments? Does not include the first-year writing requirement. (n=302)
No
Does your institution require all students to take upper-division writing courses taught by the English or Writing department for students in other departments? (n=303)
No
Does your institution require all students to take a mid-level writing course(s)? (n=304)
No
Does your institution require ALL students to complete a senior thesis or other writing-intensive capstone experience? (n=306)
Yes
Is the senior thesis an explicit part of the college writing requirement? (n=92)
No
Writing across the curriculum (WAC) and writing beyond the first year--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? (n=303)
Yes
What form of assessment takes place of the WI goals? (n=149)
Random sample of student writing
Who administers WAC assessment?
| Paper Portfolio | Electronic Portfolio | Random Sample of Student Writing | |
|---|---|---|---|
| WPA (n=27) | |||
| Writing program faculty (n=13) | Yes | ||
| Faculty from across the institution, via committee or ad hoc group (n=49) | Yes | ||
| Other (n=30) | Yes |
Who participates in WAC assessment?
| Paper Portfolio | Electronic Portfolio | Random Sample of Student Writing | |
|---|---|---|---|
| WPA (n=25) | Yes | ||
| Writing program faculty (n=23) | Yes | ||
| Faculty from across the institution, via committee or ad hoc group (n=77) | Yes | ||
| Outside evaluators (n=6) | |||
| Other (n=24) |
What are the criteria for a WI course? (n=184)
Number of pages or words written
Revision
Time discussing writing In class
Written or verbal feedback from instructor
Percentage of course grade in writing
Who certifies that a course fulfills WI designation? (n=183)
WPA/WAC director
General education/general studies/core committee
Which incentives are offered to faculty to teach WI courses? (n=51)
Smaller class size
Is there professional development available for those teaching in the WAC Program? (n=298)
Yes
What form does that faculty development take? (n=216)
Optional faculty workshops
Individual meetings with faculty members
Collaborative research projects
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 (M.A.) in writing, other than creative writing? (n=656)
No
Does your institution have a Ph.D. program in writing, other than creative writing? (n=654)
No
Writing centers--General description
Does your institution have a writing center or learning center with writing tutors? (n=676)
Yes
Is the writing center free-standing or part of another institutional unit? (n=612)
Part of another institutional unit
If the writing center is not free-standing, what larger institutional unit is it a part of? (n=379)
Academic support 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. (n=612)
Academic building
Library
What services does the writing center offer? (n=610)
Face-to-face consultations
Assistance with oral presentations
Writing centers--Consultations
How many face-to-face consultations were offered in the Fall of 2011? See Notes 2b & 4. (n=225)
970
How many face-to-face consultations were offered in the Spring of 2012? See Notes 2b & 4. (n=224)
450
How many face-to-face consultations were offered in the Summer of 2012? See Notes 2b & 4. (n=223)
0
How many face-to-face consultations were conducted in the Fall of 2011? See Notes 2b & 4. (n=440)
940
How many face-to-face consultations were conducted in the Spring of 2012? See Notes 2b & 4. (n=440)
870
How many face-to-face consultations were conducted in the Summer of 2012? See Notes 2b & 4. (n=428)
0
How many online consultations were offered in the Fall of 2011? See Notes 2b & 4. (n=221)
0
How many online consultations were offered in the Spring of 2012? See Notes 2b & 4. (n=222)
0
How many online consultations were offered in the Summer of 2012? See Notes 2b & 4. (n=220)
0
How many online consultations were conducted in the Fall of 2011? See Notes 2b & 4. (n=427)
0
How many online consultations were conducted in the Spring of 2012? See Note 2b & 4. (n=427)
0
How many online consultations were conducted in the Summer of 2012? See Notes 2b & 4. (n=425)
0
What percentage of the undergraduate student body had a writing center consultation during the 2011-12 academic year? See Notes 2a & 4. (n=316)
11
What is the average length of a consultation or tutorial session offered? (n=574)
50 minutes
Writing centers--Consultants
Are some or all of your writing center consultants undergraduate students? (n=561)
Yes
Are some or all of your writing center consultants faculty who teach in the writing program? (n=548)
Yes
Are some or all of your writing center consultants faculty who teach in other academic departments? (n=539)
No
During the fall of 2011, what percentage of the writing center consultants were undergraduate students? See Notes 2b & 4. (n=449)
73
During the fall of 2011, what percentage of the writing center consultants were graduate students? See Notes 2b & 4. (n=228)
18
During the fall of 2011, what percentage of the writing center consultants were faculty who teach in the writing program? See Notes 2b & 4. (n=124)
9
During the spring of 2012, what percentage of the writing center consultants were undergraduate students? See Notes 2b & 4. (n=450)
79
During the spring of 2012, what percentage of the writing center consultants were graduate students? See Notes 2b & 4. (n=228)
14
During the spring of 2012, what percentage of the writing center consultants were faculty who teach in the writing program? See Notes 2b & 4. (n=123)
7
How many consultants who worked in the writing center during the fall of 2011 were undergraduate students? See Notes 2b & 4. (n=448)
8
How many consultants who worked in the writing center during the fall of 2011 were graduate students? See Notes 2b & 4. (n=227)
2
How many consultants who worked in the writing center during the fall of 2011 were faculty who teach in the writing program? See Notes 2b & 4. (n=123)
1
How many consultants who worked in the writing center during the spring of 2012 were undergraduate students? See Notes 2b & 4. (n=449)
11
How many consultants who worked in the writing center during the spring of 2012 were graduate students? See Notes 2b & 4. (n=227)
2
How many consultants who worked in the writing center during the spring of 2012 were faculty who teach in the writing program? See Notes 2b & 4. (n=121)
1
How are consultants working in the writing center initally trained?
| Undergraduate students (n=505) | Graduate students (n=251) | Faculty who teach in the writing program (n=124) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-credit course | |||
| Half-credit course | |||
| Weekly meetings | |||
| Monthly meetings | Yes | Yes | |
| Workshops before the semester | Yes | Yes | |
| No training required | Yes | ||
| Other |
What on-going professional development opportunities are offered for consultants working in the writing center?
| Undergraduate students (n=461) | Graduate students (n=237) | Faculty who teach in the writing program (n=54) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attendance at national conferences | Yes | ||
| Attendance at regional conferences | Yes | ||
| Presenting at national conferences | Yes | ||
| Presenting at regional conferences | Yes | Yes | |
| Reading professional journals | Yes | ||
| Outside speakers | |||
| Weekly meetings | |||
| Semester inservice or workshop | Yes | ||
| Written reflections on daily and/or semester work | |||
| Meet with director | Yes | Yes | |
| No opportunities available | |||
| Other |
How are consultants working in the writing center compensated?
| Undergraduate students (n=509) | Graduate students (n=263) | |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly wage | Yes | |
| Stipend | Yes | |
| Tuition waver | ||
| Course credit | ||
| Faculty salary | ||
| Release time | ||
| Other |
Writing centers--Course-based Peer Tutoring
Does your institution have a writing fellows (course-based peer tutoring) program? (n=577)
No
Administrative structures
Who has primary responsibility for administering first-year writing requirement? (n=565)
Director of writing program/chair of writing department
Who has primary responsibility for administering the WAC program? (n=263)
Director of writing/chair of writing department
Who has primary responsibility for administering the writing center? (n=546)
Separate writing center director or coordinator (WCD)
To whom does the WCD or LCD report? (n=402)
Chair of the department
FYWD
CAO
Director of writing program
What is the teaching load for writing administrators?
| Average faculty member (n=501) | FYWD (n=265) | WAC director (n=62) | WCD (n=387) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-0 | ||||
| 0-1 | ||||
| 1-1 | ||||
| 1-2 or 2-1 | ||||
| 2-2 | ||||
| 2-1-2 | ||||
| 2-2-2 | ||||
| 2-3 or 3-2 | Yes | |||
| 3-3 | Yes | |||
| 3-1-2 | ||||
| 3-1-3 | ||||
| 3-4 or 4-3 | ||||
| 4-4 | ||||
| Other | ||||
| Varies |
What are the job responsibilities for writing administrators?
| FYWD (n=267) | WAC director (n=63) | WCD (n=392) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teach courses in the first-year writing program | Yes | ||
| Teach courses in the writing program/department (Not FYW) | |||
| Teach courses outside the writing program/department | |||
| Assess all or some aspects of the writing program | |||
| Assess the development of student writing on campus | |||
| Conduct faculty development with faculty across the disciplines | |||
| Conduct TA training | |||
| Consult with individual faculty across the disciplines | Yes | ||
| Consult with departments across the disciplines | |||
| Supervise professional staff (writing center director, asst.director, admin asst.) | |||
| Supervise tutors (professional and/or peer) | Yes | ||
| Hire professional staff | |||
| Hire tutors | Yes | ||
| Schedule writing courses | |||
| Schedule writing center | Yes | ||
| Place students into writing courses | |||
| Facilitate placement exam | |||
| Oversee curriculum development | |||
| Train professional staff | |||
| Train peer tutors | Yes | ||
| Advertise program | Yes | ||
| Oversee program budget | Yes | ||
| Tutor students | Yes | ||
| Plan events | Yes | ||
| Serve on university committees | |||
| Maintain program website | Yes | ||
| Serve as an academic advisor | |||
| Offer student workshops | Yes | ||
| Oversee exemption and/or transfer credit | |||
| Other |