Eastern Mennonite 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?

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)

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

No

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?

Yes

Have the goals been influenced by the WPA Outcomes Statement?

Yes

Are the goals assessed at the institutional level?

Yes

How are the college-wide student writing goals assessed?

Students take an essay exam.

Students submit a portfolio.

Professors certify for writing proficiency when students take writing-intensive courses.

A longitudinal study is conducted.

Institutional requirements and goals--Writing Committee

Does your institution have a writing committee?

Yes

Who serves on the committee?

First-year writing administrator

Writing center administrator

Writing Across the Curriculum Administrator

Writing Program Director/Chair of Writing

Faculty across the disciplines

Students

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.

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?

Yes

Which changes took place in regards to assessment?

A college-wide assessment was added.

Do you foresee changes at the institutional level to the sites of writing on your campus over the next four years?

No

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?

English department

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

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

160

Does your institution accept alternative credit for first-year composition?

Yes

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

Transfer credit from another institution

Dual enrollment

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

12

Is there a placement mechanism for FYC?

Yes

If there is a placement mechanism for FYC, what is it? Check all that apply.

SAT/ACT scores

Other

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

12

First-Year Writing--First-Year Composition: Goals

Are there explicit goals for FYC?

Yes

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

Exam

First-Year Writing--First-Year Composition: Delivery Methods

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

Yes

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

No

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

No

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

100

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

0

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.

Solo

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

0

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?

95

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, tenure-line faculty from departments besides English and rhetoric/composition?

1

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?

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 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)?

2

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?

0

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?

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 FacultyFT-TT Faculty from other disciplinesFT-NTT English/ Writing FacultyFT-NTT Faculty from other disciplinesPart-Time Faculty
Required Course
Required WorkshopsYesYesYes
Optional Course
Optional Workshops
Individual Meetings with Director
Weekly Staff Meetings
Monthly Staff MeetingsYesYesYes
No training is provided
Other

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

No

For FYC, 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 Faculty
Attend ConferencesYes
Present at ConferencesYes
Access to Professional JournalsYesYes
Outside SpeakersYesYes
Required Weekly Meetings
Optional Weekly Meetings
Required Monthly MeetingsYesYes
Optional Monthly Meetings
Workshops or In-ServiceYesYes
Meetings with Director
Other

First-Year Writing--First-Year Composition: Curriculum

Which type of scheduling does your institution follow?

Semester

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

Yes

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

Genre/Modes

Writing about Writing

Teaching for Transfer

Research

How many semesters of FYC are required?

One semester

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?

16

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?

15

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?

16

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

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?

No

Since AY 2012/13, have there been changes to the first-year writing assessment at your institution?

No

Since AY 2012/13, have there been changes to the first-year curriculum or enrollment caps at your institution?

No

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?

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.

0

Upper Level Writing Courses--Senior Culminating Experience

Does your institution require ALL students complete a senior thesis or other writing-intensive capstone experience?

Yes

Is the senior thesis an explicit part of the college writing requirement?

Yes

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?

Yes

What does the WAC Program consist of?

WI Courses

Faculty Development

Has any aspect of the WAC Program been influenced by the Statement of WAC Principles and Practices?

Yes

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

Yes

If faculty attend a seminar or workshop, how are they compensated?

They receive food at the event.

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?

11-15 years

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

2

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

0

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?

Random sample of student writing

Writing exam

Professor evaluation

What are the criteria for a WI course?

Number of pages or words written

Revision

Time discussing writing In class

Written or verbal feedback from instructor

Who certifies that a course fulfills WI designation?

Writing Program Director

Gen Education 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?

20

Writing across the curriculum (WAC)--Administration

Who has primary responsibility for administering the WAC Program?

WAC Administrator

In addition to the person who has primary responsibility for WAC, how many graduate students, staff members, or faculty members have administrative responsibilities for WAC?

0

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)?

Yes

What areas of writing can students specialize in as part of the major? Check all that apply.

Professional writing

Rhetoric/ composition

In which department is the major housed?

English

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

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

Yes

What areas of writing can students specialize in as part of the minor? Check all that apply.

Professional writing

Rhetoric/ composition

In which department is the minor housed?

English

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

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 major was created (not including creative writing).

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?

No

Feel free to explain any forthcoming changes.

For clarity, these questions don't quite get at what we offer. Our major and minor is Writing Studies which includes various concentrations: creative writing, rhetorical writing, professional writing

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.

SAT/ACT scores

GPA

Admissions office/Student Affairs referral

Student self-referral

What type of supports are available for basic writers? Check all that apply.

Required basic writing course

Peer tutoring

Professional tutoring--not including from WPA or WCD

Other

What type of supports are available for basic writers? Check all that apply. - Other - Text

Bridge program within the semester.

Does your institution have a formal basic writing program?

Yes

What is the institutional home of the basic writing program?

English department

What percentage of the student body is placed into basic writing?

25

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

Prerequisite model

How many levels of basic writing do you have?

1

What is the curriculum of the basic writing courses? Check all that apply.

Grammar

Sentence writing

Paragraph writing

Reading and writing

How do students exit basic writing? Check all that apply.

Passing grade in basic writing course

Porfolio submission

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?

No

Do you foresee changes to the administrative, curricular, or support structures for helping diversely prepared students at your institution over the next four years?

No

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?

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.

Library

Multiple locations

What are other locations for the writing center?

We have UG writing tutors within the Academic Success Center. We also have a stand-alone graduate writing center

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 writing in a language other than English

Assistance with reading

Assistance with online research

Assistance with oral presentations

Assistance with job materials

Assistance with graduate school materials

Assistance with other content areas

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

Space for faculty or staff to come together to write

Student writing groups

Faculty writing groups

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?

45 minutes

What percentage of the undergraduate student body had a writing center consultation during the 2016-17 academic year?

60

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-10

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-100

How are undergraduate consultants initially trained?

Full-credit course

Staff meetings

How are professional consultants initially trained?

Staff meetings

What on-going professional development opportunities are provided undergraduate consultants?

Attend regional conferences

Staff meetings

What on-going professional development opportunities are provided professional consultants?

Attend regional conferences

Staff meetings

How are the undergradaute consultants compensated?

Hourly wage

How are the professional consultants compensated?

Hourly wage

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?

4

Does the writing center have a faculty advisory committee?

Yes

Writing centers--Changes

Since the academic year 2012/13 have there been changes to the writing center at your institution (not including staffing)?

No

Since the academic year 2012/13 have there been changes to the staffing or administration of the writing center at your institution?

No

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?

5

What is the institutional home of the ELL writing courses?

English department

Who has primary responsibility for administering support for English Language Learners?

Full-time tenure line director/coordinator

Multilingual Writing Support--Multilingual Writing Support: Domestic Students

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

Required basic writing course

Special sections of FYW

Peer tutoring

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

Admissions office/Student Affairs referral

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

Required basic writing course

Peer tutoring

Professional tutoring--not including 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)?

No

Do you foresee changes to the administrative, curricular, or support structures for helping diversely prepared students at your institution over the next four years?

No

Administrative positions--Solo Writing Administrator (SWA)

How is the Solo Writing Administrator position (SWA) classified?

TT

Where does the SWA's tenure line reside?

Writing Studies

To whom does the SWA report?

Chair of the department

Was the SWA hired for this position?

Yes

Which of the following teaching responsibilities does the SWA have? Check all that apply.

Teach courses

Train tutors, TAs, or professional staff

faculty workshops

student workshops

On average, how many courses per year does the SWA teach?

5

On average, how many courses per year are reassigned for SWA administrative responsibilities?

3

Which of the following are the administrative responsibilities of the SWA?

Develop curriculum

Create Program Documents

Write grants

Conduct assessment

Consult with individual faculty or departments across the disciplines

Hire (tutors, professional staff, or teaching faculty)

Supervise (tutors, professional staff, or teaching faculty)

Mentor (tutors, professional staff, or teaching faculty)

Schedule writing courses

Place students into writing courses

Facilitate placement exam

Oversee exemption and/or transfer credit

Advertise program

Oversee program budget

Plan events

Maintain program/department/center website

Serve on university committees

Serve as an academic advisor