Whatcom Community College2013 Institution Survey

Sites of Writing--General Description

Does your institution have an official writing program or department? (n=118)

Yes

What is the institutional home of the writing program or department? (n=97)

English Department

Does your institution have first-year writing? (n=217)

Yes

Is first-year writing part of the writing program or department? (n=152)

Yes

Does your institution have writing across the curriculum (WAC)? (n=204)

Yes

Is WAC part of the writing program or department? (n=70)

No

If not part of the writing program or department, what is the institutional home for WAC? (n=43)

Independent Unit

Does your institution have writing in the disciplines (WID)? (n=198)

No

Does your institution have a writing center or learning center with writing tutors? (n=219)

Yes

Is the writing center part of the writing program or department? (n=198)

No

If not part of the writing program or department, what is the institutional home for the writing center? (n=171)

Other

Does your institution have basic writing courses? (n=220)

Yes

Is basic writing part of the writing program or department? (n=199)

No

If not part of the writing program or department, what is the institutional home for the basic writing program? (n=136)

Other

Sites of Writing--Writing Requirement

Does your institution have a writing requirement? (n=216)

Yes

What does the writing requirement at your institution consist of? (n=106)

First-year composition predominately taught by English and/or Writing department (FYC)

Writing-intensive courses that are located throughout the curriculum (WI courses)

Are there curricular requirements that are not part of the writing requirement but that have writing as an explicit goal? (n=211)

No

Sites of Writing--College Writing Goals

Are there college-wide student writing goals? (n=216)

Yes

Have the goals been influenced by the WPA Outcomes Statement? (n=106)

Yes

How are the college-wide student writing goals assessed? (n=113)

Other

Who administers the assessment?

Students take an essay exam. (n=43)Students submit a portfolio. (n=28)Writing proficiency determined when students take writing-intensive courses. (n=45)A longitudinal study is conducted. (n=30)Other (n=24)
Writing program directorYes
Writing center director
Associate dean
Faculty committeeYesYes
Registrar
Chair of the department
OtherYesYes

Who participates in the assessment?

Students take an essay exam. (n=43)Students submit a portfolio. (n=28)Writing proficiency determined when students take writing-intensive courses. (n=55)A longitudinal study is conducted. (n=32)Other (n=29)
Writing program directorYes
Writing center directorYes
Writing program facultyYes
English department facultyYesYes
Faculty from disciplines other than Writing and EnglishYesYesYes
Readers outside the institutionYes
Associate dean
Registrar
Other

Sites of Writing--Community College Survey of Student Engagement

Does your institution administer the Community College Survey of Student Engagement (CCSSE)? (n=219)

Yes

How does your writing program use the CCSSE data? (n=139)

Assessment

Argue for additional resources

Promotion of writing program

Support curricular changes

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=219)

Yes

Were there changes to the writing requirement in the past 10 years? (n=193)

No

Were there changes to the assessment of writing at your institution over the past 10 years? (n=194)

Yes

Which changes have taken place in regards to assessment? (n=133)

A college-wide assessment was expanded.

Were there any changes to the administrative structures of the writing program or the sites of writing over the past 10 years? (n=195)

Yes

Which administrative structures of the writing program or the sites of writing changed? (n=100)

Other

Was the writing program changed in the past 10 years to expand or eliminate areas? (n=191)

No

Were there changes to the staffing of the writing program or center over the past 10 years? (n=194)

No

Were there any additional changes to the writing program or the sites of writing at your institution not already mentioned? (n=193)

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=217)

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=151)

Changes to the curricular structures or writing requirement

Changes to assessment

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

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.

Our English 100 course—transitional between ESLA (academic), developmental writing, and FYC—has been eliminated as of Fall 2015 due to state mandate; the consequences are far reaching: We are redesigning FYC to meet the needs of more students who presumably are less "college ready," we are redesigning our placement process to include multiple measures and DSP, we are expanding our Accelerated Learning Program courses (FYC + developmental writing), we are helping to redesign developmental writing courses (integrated reading and writing), helping to redesign ESLA capstone course, and providing alternate routes to college-level courses (such as removing all pre-requisites for 100-level literature courses). All of this will require an integrated assessment process coordinated across different departments and our IR people.

First-Year Writing/ English Composition--General Description

Does your institution have a first-year writing requirement, whether explicit or embedded? (n=217)

Yes

How many semesters/courses of first-year writing are required? (n=142)

2

By when must the second semester course be completed? (n=95)

Other

First-Year Writing/ English Composition--Placement and Transfer

Does your institution allow students to place out of the first semester first-year writing requirment? (n=134)

Yes

Does your institution allow students to place out of the second semester of first-year writing requirment? (n=105)

Yes

What is the program’s placement mechanism? (n=98)

Placement exam

AP test

Other

Does your institution accept transfer credit for first semester first-year writing requirements? (n=139)

Yes

Does your institution accept transfer credit for second semester first-year writing requirements? (n=121)

Yes

Who approves transfer credit for FYW courses? (n=138)

Registrar

First-Year Writing/ English Composition--Goals and Assessment

Are there explicit goals for the first-year writing requirement? (n=141)

Yes

Are the goals informed by the WPA Outcomes Statement? (n=127)

Yes

How are the goals for FYW courses assessed? (n=124)

Random sample

Professor evaluation

Other

Who participates in the assessment of the goals for FYW courses? (n=116)

WPA

Writing faculty

Other

First-Year Writing/ English Composition--Curriculum

What is the content of the FYW requirement? See Note 5. (n=139)

Other

What is the "other" content of the FYW requirement?

The content is college-level writing: our program is based on the principles of analytical writing laid out in Writing Analytically, by Rossenwasser and Stephen

Is there a common syllabus for FYW courses? (n=139)

No

If two semesters of FYW are required, is the content of the second course the same as the first course? (n=104)

No

If the content of the second FYW course differs from the first course, what is the content of the second course? See Note 5. (n=60)

Other

What is the "other" content of the second semester FYW requirement?

The second course has a larger research compoenent requried

First-Year Writing/ English Composition--Enrollment Caps

What is the enrollment cap for honors sections of the FYW requirement? (n=63)

12

If there is a second semester FYW requirement, what is the enrollment cap for honors sections? (n=46)

12

What is the enrollment cap for regular sections of the FYW requirement? (n=146)

25

If there is a second semester FYW requirement, what is the the enrollment cap for regular sections? (n=119)

25

What is the enrollment cap for sections of basic writing of the FYW requirement? (n=133)

25

If there is a second semester FYW requirement, what is the the enrollment cap for basic writing sections? (n=101)

25

First-Year Writing/ English Composition--Staffing

In the 2013-14 academic year, what percentage of sections of the first semester writing course were taught by full-time, tenure-line faculty in the English Department? See Note 4. (n=105)

43

In the 2013-14 academic year, what percentage of sections of the first semester writing course were taught by full-time, tenure-line faculty in the rhetoric/composition department or program? See Note 4. (n=105)

0

In the 2013-14 academic year, what percentage of sections of the first semester writing course were taught by full-time, tenure-line faculty from departments besides English and rhetoric/composition? See Note 4. (n=105)

0

In the 2013-14 academic year, what percentage of sections of the first semester writing course were taught by full-time, non-tenure line faculty in the English Department? See Note 4. (n=105)

0

In the 2013-14 academic year, what percentage of sections of the first semester writing course were taught by full-time, non-tenure line faculty in the rhetoric/composition department or program? See Note 4. (n=105)

0

In the 2013-14 academic year, what percentage of sections of the first semester writing course were taught by full-time, non-tenure line faculty from departments besides English and rhetoric/composition? See Note 4. (n=105)

0

In the 2013-14 academic year, what percentage of sections of the first semester writing course were taught by part-time faculty hired by the English Department? See Note 4. (n=105)

57

In the 2013-14 academic year, what percentage of sections of the first semester writing course were taught by part-time faculty hired by the rhetoric/composition department or program?

0

In the 2013-14 academic year, what percentage of sections of the first semester writing course were taught by the WPA? See Note 4. (n=105)

0

In the 2013-14 academic year, what percentage of sections of the first semester writing course were taught by other? See Note 4. (n=105)

0

If there is a second semester requirement, was it staffed similarly? (n=91)

Yes

Is there faculty or professional development available for those teaching in the first-year writing program? (n=129)

Yes

What form does the faculty development take for first-year writing faculty? (n=107)

Optional faculty development workshops

Do those attending receive additional compensation? (n=106)

Sometimes

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=220)

Yes

Writing across the curriculum (WAC) and writing beyond the first year--General Description

Does your institution have a WAC/WID program and/or a writing requirement beyond the first year? (n=203)

Yes

Does your institution require all students to take writing courses taught by the English or Writing department for students in other departments? Does not include the first-year writing requirement. (n=35)

No

Does your institution require all students to take writing-intensive (WI or W) courses taught by departments other than English or Writing? (n=36)

Yes

Writing across the curriculum (WAC) and writing beyond the first year--Writing-Intensive Courses

How long has the WI requirement been in existence? (n=11)

10-15 years

How many WI courses are required beyond the first-year requirement? (n=13)

1

When do WI courses need to be completed? (n=12)

By graduation

Are there explicit goals for the WI courses? (n=13)

Yes

Have the goals been influenced by the WPA Outcomes Statement?

No

What form of assessment takes place of the WI goals? (n=10)

Professor evaluation

Other

What are the criteria for a WI course? (n=12)

Number of pages or words written

Revision

Other criteria

Who certifies that a course fulfills the WI designation? (n=12)

Curriculum committee

Are there incentives offered for faculty to teach a WI course? (n=12)

Yes

Which incentives are offered to faculty to teach WI courses? (n=5)

Smaller class size

Other

Is there professional development available for those teaching in the WAC program? (n=35)

Yes

What form does that faculty development take? (n=35)

Optional faculty workshops

Individual meetings with faculty members

Writing centers--General description

Does your institution have a writing center or learning center with writing tutors? (n=219)

Yes

Is the writing center free-standing or part of another institutional unit? (n=157)

Part of another institutional unit

If the writing center is not free-standing, what larger institutional unit is it a part of? (n=105)

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. (n=157)

Academic building

Is there a mission statement for the writing center? (n=153)

Yes

Are there explicit goals for the writing center? (n=152)

No

What services does the writing center offer? (n=155)

Face-to-face consultations

Online feedback via e-mail (asynchronous)

Assistance with oral presentations

Assistance with Powerpoint or other presentation software

Assistance with new media

Other

Writing centers--Consultants

How are consultants working in the writing center initally trained?

Undergraduate students (n=90)
Full-credit course
Half-credit course
Weekly meetingsYes
Monthly meetings
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=78)
Attendance at national conferences
Attendance at regional conferencesYes
Presenting at national conferences
Presenting at regional conferences
Reading professional journalsYes
Outside speakersYes
Weekly meetingsYes
Semester inservice or workshop
Written reflections on daily and/or semester work
Meet with directorYes
No opportunities available
Other

How are consultants working in the writing center compensated?

Undergraduate students (n=96)
Hourly wageYes
Stipend
Tuition waver
Course credit
Faculty salary
Release time
Other

Writing centers--Course-based Peer Tutoring

Does your institution have a writing fellows program (course-based peer tutoring)? (n=143)

No

Administrative Structures

Who has primary responsibility for administering the first-year writing requirement? (n=127)

Chair of the English department

Are there others who help to administer the FYW program? (n=131)

No

Who has primary responsibility for administering the WAC Program? (n=36)

WAC director

How is the WAC director position classified?

TT

To whom does the WAC director report? (n=8)

Chief Academic Officer

Was the WAC director hired for this position?

No

If the WAC director was not hired for this position, how did he/she assume these responsibilities?

Previous director retired or left the position.

Are there others who help to administer the WAC program? (n=35)

No

Who has primary responsibility for administering the writing/learning center? (n=139)

Separate writing center director or coordinator (WCD)

How is the WCD or LCD position classified? (n=87)

TT

To whom does the WCD or LCD report? (n=85)

Other

Was the WCD or LCD director hired for this position? (n=86)

No

If the WCD or LCD director was not hired for this position, how did he/she assume these responsibilities? (n=32)

Previous director retired or left the position.

Are there others who help to administer the writing center? (n=115)

No

What is the teaching load for writing administrators?

All full-time faculty (n=97)FYWD (n=11)WAC director (n=6)WCD (n=79)
0-0
0-1
1-1
1-2 or 2-1
2-2
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
4-5 or 5-4
5-5
6-6
OtherYesYesYes

What are the job responsibilities for writing administrators?

FYWD (n=14)WAC director (n=8)WCD (n=85)
Teach courses in the first-year writing programYesYes
Teach courses in the writing program/department (not FYW)YesYes
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 disciplinesYes
Consult with individual faculty across the disciplinesYesYes
Consult with departments across the disciplinesYesYes
Supervise professional staff (writing center director, asst.director, admin asst.)
Supervise tutors (professional and/or peer)Yes
Hire professional staff
Hire tutorsYes
Schedule writing courses
Schedule writing centerYes
Place students into writing courses
Facilitate placement exam
Oversee curriculum development
Train professional staff
Train peer tutorsYes
Advertise programYes
Oversee program budget
Tutor studentsYes
Plan eventsYes
Serve on university committeesYesYes
Maintain program websiteYes
Serve as an academic advisor
Offer student workshopsYes
Oversee exemption and/or transfer credit
OtherYes