University of Minnesota-Twin Cities2013 Institution Survey
Sites of writing--General Description
What is the institutional home of the writing program or department? (n=248)
independent department
Is writing in the disciplines part of the writing program or department? (n=265)
Yes
Is the undergraduate writing major part of the writing program or department? (n=263)
Yes
Is the undergraduate writing minor part of the writing program or department? (n=352)
Yes
Does your institution have a writing center or learning center with writing tutors? (n=679)
Yes
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 composition predominately taught by English and/or Writing department (FYC)
Writing-intensive courses that are located throughout the curriculum (W courses)
Writing in the major
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.
Sites of writing--College Writing Goals
How are the college-wide student writing goals assessed? (n=379)
Departments assess majors through a senior-culminating experience.
A longitudinal study is conducted.
other
Who administers the college-wide assessment?
| Students take an essay exam. | Students submit a portfolio. | Professors certify for writing proficiency when students take writing-intensive courses. | Departments assess majors through a senior-culminating experience. | A longitudinal study is conducted. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Writing program director (n=108) | |||||
| Writing center director (n=37) | |||||
| Associate dean (n=18) | |||||
| Faculty committee (n=119) | |||||
| Registrar (n=10) | |||||
| Chair of the department (n=75) | |||||
| Other (n=121) | Yes |
Who participates in the college-wide assessment?
| Students take an essay exam. | Students submit a portfolio. | Professors certify for writing proficiency when students take writing-intensive courses. | Departments assess majors through a senior-culminating experience. | A longitudinal study is conducted. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Writing program director (n=106) | |||||
| Writing center director (n=65) | |||||
| Writing program faculty (n=105) | |||||
| English department faculty (n=150) | |||||
| Faculty from other disciplines than writing and English (n=163) | |||||
| Readers outside the institution (n=15) | |||||
| Associate dean (n=22) | |||||
| Registrar (n=13) | |||||
| Other (n=63) | Yes | Yes |
Sites of writing--National Survey of Student Engagement
Does your institution administer the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE)? (n=667)
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
Were there changes to the assessment of writing at your institution over the past 10 years? (n=589)
Yes
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)
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)
No
How did the writing program change? (n=346)
The writing program became an independent program or department.
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.
Tenure-line teaching positions were added.
Peer tutoring positions were added.
Graduate student tutoring positions were added.
Professional 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
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) | |
|---|---|---|
| SAT/ACT | ||
| AP/IB | Yes | |
| CLEP | ||
| In-house exam | ||
| Directed self-placement | ||
| Portfolio | ||
| Dual enrollment/ transfer | ||
| Other |
First-year writing/English composition--Goals and Assessment
How are the goals for FYW courses assessed?
| FYWS (n=66) | FYC (n=381) | |
|---|---|---|
| Paper portfolio | ||
| E-portfolio | ||
| Random sample | Yes | |
| Exam | ||
| Professor evaluation | ||
| None | ||
| Course evaluation | ||
| Student survey | Yes | |
| Other |
Who participates in the assessment of the goals for FYW courses?
| FYWS (n=53) | FYC (n=326) | |
|---|---|---|
| WPA | Yes | |
| Writing faculty | Yes | |
| Institutional faculty | ||
| Outside evaluators | ||
| English faculty | ||
| Department chair | ||
| Other | Yes |
First-year writing/English composition--Curriculum
What is the content of the FYC requirement? See Note 5. (n=456)
Genre/Modes
Writing About Writing (WAW)
Themes
First-year writing/English composition--Enrollment Caps
First-year writing/English composition--Staffing
In the 2011-12 academic year, what percentage of FYC courses were taught by: See Note 2a. (n=422)
| 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 | ||||||||
| 1-5% | Yes | Yes | |||||||||||
| 6-15% | Yes | Yes | |||||||||||
| 16-25% | |||||||||||||
| 26-35% | Yes | ||||||||||||
| 36-50% | Yes | ||||||||||||
| 51-60% | |||||||||||||
| 61-75% | |||||||||||||
| 76-85% | |||||||||||||
| 86-99% | |||||||||||||
| 100% |
Is there faculty or professional development available for those teaching FYC? (n=457)
Yes
What form does the faculty development take for FYW faculty?
| FYWS (n=70) | FYC (n=373) | |
|---|---|---|
| Requried pedagogy course taught by the WPA | ||
| Required faculty development workshops | ||
| Optional graduate pedagogy course | Yes | |
| Optional faculty development workshops | Yes | |
| Individual meetings with the WPA/WCD | Yes | |
| Other | Yes |
Do those attending faculty development for FYC receive additional compensation? (n=411)
No
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)
Placement test
Admissions office/ student affairs referral
Student self-referral
What types of supports are available to those students? (n=489)
Required basic writing course
Special sections of FYW
Peer tutoring
Professional tutoring, not the WPA or WCD
Workshops
Other
Identifying and supporting diversely-prepared students--Support for English Language Learners
What type of supports are available for ELLs? (n=412)
Required basic writing course
Special sections of FYW
Targeted optional writing courses
Peer tutoring
Professional tutoring, not the WPA or WCD
Workshops
Other
How are students identified and/or placed into ELL writing courses? (n=239)
SAT/ACT/TOFEL
What is the institutional home of the ELL writing courses? (n=241)
Intensive English program
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)
No
Does the institution require some students to complete a senior thesis or other writing-intensive capstone experience? If so, what are the requirements? (n=216)
It varies by department.
Honors students are required to complete a thesis or other writing-intensive capstone experience.
Individual students can choose to complete a senior thesis or other writing-intensive capstone experience.
Other
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)
Paper portfolio
Electronic portfolio
Random sample of student writing
Professor evaluation
Other
Who administers WAC assessment?
| Paper Portfolio | Electronic Portfolio | Random Sample of Student Writing | Writing Exam | Professor Evaluation | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WPA (n=27) | |||||
| Writing program faculty (n=13) | |||||
| Faculty from across the institution, via committee or ad hoc group (n=49) | |||||
| Other (n=30) | Yes |
Who participates in WAC assessment?
| Paper Portfolio | Electronic Portfolio | Random Sample of Student Writing | Writing Exam | Professor Evaluation | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WPA (n=25) | |||||
| Writing program faculty (n=23) | |||||
| Faculty from across the institution, via committee or ad hoc group (n=77) | |||||
| Outside evaluators (n=6) | |||||
| Other (n=24) | Yes |
What are the criteria for a WI course? (n=184)
Number of pages or words written
Revision
Time discussing writing In class
Is there professional development available for those teaching in the WAC Program? (n=298)
Yes
What form does that faculty development take? (n=216)
Faculty seminar
Optional faculty workshops
Individual meetings with faculty members
Collaborative research projects
Conferences off campus
On-campus speakers
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? (n=230)
Technical writing
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? (n=312)
Technical writing
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)
Yes
Does your institution have a Ph.D. program in writing, other than creative writing? (n=654)
Yes
Does the graduate coursework include a course on writing program administration? (n=47)
No, not offered
Does the graduate coursework include a course on writing center studies? (n=47)
No, not offered
Roughly how many graduate students in your program complete their Ph.D.s each year? (n=40)
4-6
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)
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. (n=612)
Academic building
Multiple locations
Other
What services does the writing center offer? (n=610)
Face-to-face consultations
Other
What other services does the writing center offer?
hybrid asynch and synch online consultations
Writing centers--Consultations
How many face-to-face consultations were conducted in the Fall of 2011? See Notes 2b & 4. (n=440)
4,614
How many face-to-face consultations were conducted in the Spring of 2012? See Notes 2b & 4. (n=440)
4,558
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 conducted in the Fall of 2011? See Notes 2b & 4. (n=427)
499
How many online consultations were conducted in the Spring of 2012? See Note 2b & 4. (n=427)
618
How many online consultations were conducted in the Summer of 2012? See Notes 2b & 4. (n=425)
0
What is the average length of a consultation or tutorial session offered? (n=574)
40 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)
No
Are some or all of your writing center consultants faculty who teach in other academic departments? (n=539)
No
Are some or all of your writing center consultants professional tutors? (n=548)
Yes
During the fall of 2011, what percentage of the writing center consultants were undergraduate students? See Notes 2b & 4. (n=449)
50
During the fall of 2011, what percentage of the writing center consultants were graduate students? See Notes 2b & 4. (n=228)
33
During the fall of 2011, what percentage of the writing center consultants were professional tutors? See Notes 2b & 4. (n=113)
17
During the spring of 2012, what percentage of the writing center consultants were undergraduate students? See Notes 2b & 4. (n=450)
50
During the spring of 2012, what percentage of the writing center consultants were graduate students? See Notes 2b & 4. (n=228)
33
During the spring of 2012, what percentage of the writing center consultants were professional tutors? See Notes 2b & 4. (n=112)
17
How many consultants who worked in the writing center during the fall of 2011 were undergraduate students? See Notes 2b & 4. (n=448)
18
How many consultants who worked in the writing center during the fall of 2011 were graduate students? See Notes 2b & 4. (n=227)
12
How many consultants who worked in the writing center during the fall of 2011 were professional tutors? See Notes 2b & 4. (n=112)
6
How many consultants who worked in the writing center during the spring of 2012 were undergraduate students? See Notes 2b & 4. (n=449)
18
How many consultants who worked in the writing center during the spring of 2012 were graduate students? See Notes 2b & 4. (n=227)
12
How many consultants who worked in the writing center during the spring of 2012 were professional tutors? See Notes 2b & 4. (n=111)
6
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) | Faculty who teach in other academic departments (n=45) | Professional tutors (n=113) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-credit course | Yes | ||||
| Half-credit course | |||||
| Weekly meetings | Yes | ||||
| Monthly meetings | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Workshops before the semester | |||||
| No training required | |||||
| 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) | Faculty who teach in other academic departments (n=42) | Professional tutors (n=106) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Attendance at national conferences | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Attendance at regional conferences | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Presenting at national conferences | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Presenting at regional conferences | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Reading professional journals | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Outside speakers | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekly meetings | |||||
| Semester inservice or workshop | |||||
| Written reflections on daily and/or semester work | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Meet with director | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| No opportunities available | |||||
| Other |
How are consultants working in the writing center compensated?
| Undergraduate students (n=509) | Graduate students (n=263) | Faculty who teach in the writing program (n=132) | Faculty who teach in other academic departments (n=45) | Professional tutors (n=127) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly wage | Yes | Yes | |||
| Stipend | |||||
| Tuition waver | Yes | ||||
| Course credit | |||||
| Faculty salary | Yes | ||||
| 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)
FYWD
If the FYWD director was not hired for this position, how did he/she assume these responsibilities? (n=128)
The position rotates among faculty in the department.
Who has primary responsibility for administering the writing center? (n=546)
Separate writing center director or coordinator (WCD)
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 | Yes | |||
| 0-1 | Yes | |||
| 1-1 | ||||
| 1-2 or 2-1 | Yes | |||
| 2-2 | Yes | |||
| 2-1-2 | ||||
| 2-2-2 | ||||
| 2-3 or 3-2 | ||||
| 3-3 | ||||
| 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) | Yes | Yes | |
| Teach courses outside the writing program/department | |||
| Assess all or some aspects of the writing program | Yes | Yes | |
| Assess the development of student writing on campus | Yes | ||
| Conduct faculty development with faculty across the disciplines | Yes | Yes | |
| Conduct TA training | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Consult with individual faculty across the disciplines | Yes | Yes | |
| Consult with departments across the disciplines | Yes | ||
| Supervise professional staff (writing center director, asst.director, admin asst.) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Supervise tutors (professional and/or peer) | Yes | ||
| Hire professional staff | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hire tutors | Yes | ||
| Schedule writing courses | Yes | ||
| Schedule writing center | Yes | ||
| Place students into writing courses | |||
| Facilitate placement exam | |||
| Oversee curriculum development | Yes | Yes | |
| Train professional staff | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Train peer tutors | Yes | ||
| Advertise program | Yes | Yes | |
| Oversee program budget | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Tutor students | Yes | ||
| Plan events | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Serve on university committees | Yes | Yes | |
| Maintain program website | Yes | Yes | |
| Serve as an academic advisor | |||
| Offer student workshops | |||
| Oversee exemption and/or transfer credit | Yes | ||
| Other | Yes | Yes |