Writing-Across-Curriculum Committee (WACC)

February 14, 2008 MINUTES
9:30 - 11:00
ASC 306

Present: N. Marano, V. Breslin, K. Ritter, D. Petroski, D. Smith, T. Ferucci,  K. Buterbaugh, D. Savage, K. Marsland, K. Lacey

1. 9:35 called to order

2. Update from Interim Director of University Writing Program, Kelly Ritter:
a. Search for Permanent Director: Ad placement pending approval of job description by Dr. Williams. National search is planned. Goal is to have position filled for fall 2008. Search committee to be assemble once ad placed.
b. W-Course Survey: 30% response rate with 34 faculty completing the survey. Survey will close on February 28th. Kelly will send out reminder over weekend.
c. Brown Bag Lunches: K. Ritter reports well attended with good representation from across the university. Additional sessions to take place after spring break. Aggregate information reported to WACC and will be forwarded to Permanent Director for action.

3. Update from WACC Chair, Kate Marsland
a. To address recent concern regarding W-Course not being implemented as approved, the following was decided at a meeting of the Interim WAC Director, the WACC Chair and the Provost: Concerns will be directed to the Dean of the School who will follow-up with Department Chair and individual faculty as necessary. The WACC will revisit the currently-suspended W-course recertification polity this semester.
b. W-Course Website: Being developed. Goal is to increase visibility of writing program and make information on W-Courses more accessible to faculty and students. Site will be redesigned and moved out of the UCF general website with links to UCF.
c. Meeting with General Education Committee: W-Program will stay as requirement. WACC will provide oversight of the writing intensive program.
d. WACC forms have been updated.
e. Status of W-Course Approvals: To date 128 faculty and 221 sections have been approved. Additional W-courses are needed to keep pace with student demand.

4. Deadline to submit proposals for fall 2008 is February 27th. K. Ritter will send out reminder over weekend.

5. W-Courses in Summer: Concerns have been expressed regarding running W-Courses in the summer. Issue primarily is related to what can (or cannot) be accomplished in 5 weeks to meet the goals of a W-Course. B. Drobish reports that Deans make decision about what W-Courses will run in the summer.

6. Writing Contest: Deadline for submission is March 14th. Changes to contest include moving away from awards in school category and to a University-wide award, increasing minimum word count to 1000 from 750, and having 3 prizes (1st - $250 2nd -$150 and 3rd - $100) with honorable mentions receiving certificates of recognition.

7. Consideration of and action on W-course proposals:

MAR/ENV 491 Seminar in Environmental and Marine Studies
Faculty: V. Breslin
Committee Recommendation: Approved
Committee Vote: 7-0 (V. Breslin recusing himself)

8. Priority for Next Meeting: Exigency Policy

9.  Next Meeting: February 28th 9:30-11 a.m. 306 ASC

10. Meeting adjourned at 10:50

Respectfully submitted,

Kimberly Lacey/Secretary, WACC