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UNIVERSITY WIDE IMPACT COMMITTEE
Minutes of Thursday, November 15, 2001
University Student Center, Room 205

Present:  Frank Harris (chair), Christine Barrett, Joanne DeMarco, Sandy DiFrancesco, Terese Gemme, Marty Hartog, Megan Macomber, Connie Mindell, Kathy Swenson.

Recorder:  Frank Harris

Call to Order:  9:40 a.m.

Southern Writing Board Proposal and L-Courses

The University Wide Impact Committee discussed the Southern Writing Board proposal and the 1983 and 2001 L-Course guidelines.

Various Impressions from Nov. 8 UCF Meeting:

  • Focus of discussion seems to have shifted from what is best for students to what is best for faculty.
  • Lack of trust of fellow faculty/Southern Writing Board members.
  • Critical writing got lost in the discussion.  Wondered whether people are looking at two different guidelines.
  • Surprised at the passion and anguish displayed by some against the proposal
  • Those in opposition seem to be first- and second-year faculty prompted by senior faculty.  They are arriving from a place of less bureaucracy to one of more bureaucracy here at Southern.

General Discussion

  • There is a contradiction in having the concept of writing across the curriculum, while at the same time segmenting certain courses by having them designated as L-Courses. It was said that the concept of writing should be present in all courses.  All courses should promote critical writing and thinking.
  • It is too easy for students to squeak through college without learning how to write or critically think or critically write.  If all those teaching L-courses were truly employing writing in their course, then there would have been no need for the first L-Course guidelines. 
  • Courses may be offered as L-Courses by some faculty with the idea of generating higher enrollment, while not providing the tools and guides to ensure students are doing the writing and other criteria of the L-Course guidelines. 
  • Committee discussed the objections to the Writing Board and came up with the following:  concern about bureaucracy;  telling teachers how to teach their courses;  took teachers' time away from teaching;  departments feel they are being dictated to;    objection to the word ''Board.''
  • While UWIC supports the Southern Writing Board and hopes the proposal passes, UWIC discussed its role and responsibility should the proposal be voted down and the Southern Writing Board discontinued.

Adjournment
10:50.m.