ASCRC WRITING COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA
Monday, October 5, 2015, 10:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m., Todd 203
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Stark called the meeting to order at 10:10 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
I. Appelbaum, S. Brown, G. Burns, C. Greenfield, T. Johnson, C. Jardon, H. Jurva, J. Gallo, D. Raiford, J.
Pavilack, M. Stark
Ex-Officio Members Present: G. Harris, N. Lindsay, N. Peeterse, E. Wecker
Members Absent/Excused: D. Gates, K. Hopingardner, K. Webster
The minutes from 9/14/15 were approved.
COMMUNICATION

The Writing Symposium went well, unfortunately there was low attendance. Next year, it will not
be scheduled during homecoming week. The student panel was informative. They would like more
specific feedback and guidance to improve their writing. The faculty panel showed passion for
teaching and provided ways to enhance student learning. Members and faculty that could not make
the symposium should view the video when it is available.
BUSINESS ITEMS

April 22nd and 29th are being considered for the writing retreat. There have been complaints about
the noise in the last two venues. Camie and Megan will look into available rooms on campus. Ear
plugs may have to be provided, so that those still reading will not be disturbed by those that have
moved on to discussion. Another option would be to have a reading room and a discussion room.
Members were asked to find out about any conflicts with the dates in their units.

Natalie spoke with Joe Alread in IT and was advised to use the University Box account to store
sensitive data. She can give others permission to view the data as needed. However, it is advisable
for there to be a data management plan in terms of how the data is stored and who should have
access to the data. Many stakeholders may be interested in the data, for departmental reports, etc.
Natalie, Kelly and Chase will work on the procedure.

It is not possible to add another letter to course numbers to identify writing courses. Banner is
limited to 4 spaces (3 numbers and 1 letter) in the number field. It is not advisable to use W
because it is already used on transcripts when students withdraw from courses. Bonnie Holzworth ,
the Assistant Registrar is not in favor of using an abbreviation in parenthesis in the title because if
the course lost its status as a writing course follow-up would be needed to change the title. She
recommended that the committee consider education and outreach, possibly in collaboration with
the Undergraduate Advising Center. Students and advisors should use academic planner rather
than relying on the transcripts. Degree Audit will be implemented next year and may alleviate some
of the frustration. The Registrar will be invited to the next meeting to provide more information
about Degree Audit.

Composition Director Wecker spoke to the efforts to build bridges between WRIT 095 and WRIT
101. There has been a lot of discussion regarding dual enrollment. Last week she spoke to advisors.
There is a lot of concern regarding what students earning a C in WRIT 095 can expect from WRIT
101. She still needs to visit Missoula College to discussion the curriculum.
Missoula College Writing Studies faculty met and spoke about the possibility of bridge work and
student needs. Professor Corr is scheduled to retire at the end of the semester and her input is
vital. Students need more continuity and to better understand the transition as well as be
comfortable with or without matriculation. Missoula College is concerned about the quality of dual
enrollment. The high school instructors teaching the courses are given provisional status while they
pursue a master degree, but there is no one to monitor the details. The position was cut last year.
How do the high school teachers ensure college rigor is maintained? How do they distinguish the
course from others they are teaching? Will students be properly prepared in these courses?
The English department has been asked to teach graduate seminars online, but it is resisting given
there would not be appropriate compensation and prefers the face-to-face format. It is considering
summer offerings with low residency requirements. This is political agenda item of the governor
and viewed as a pathway for students.

Chair Stark distributed a handout with information about reviewing the both the intermediate and
advanced writing courses. Blank forms were also provided. She hopes that members are clear about
the task and expectations. If a group does not come to consensus on a course it can be brought to
the full committee to consider.
Intermediate courses are also assessed as part of the UPWA. The assessment is entered into an
online form (currently a Google Doc) to collect data. A rubric was created for this purpose. One
person in the group should be appointed to enter this information.
Members should individually review the courses before the group meets to discuss or
communicates electronically. Each form should be reviewed by at least two members. The learning
outcomes are different for intermediate and advance writing courses. The information on the
syllabus should be consistent with the information on the form. The writing outcomes should be on
the syllabus. There is a table format at the end of the handout that can be used to help track
whether the guidelines have been met.
There have been issues in the past determining the required number of writing pages, whether
students received feedback from the instructor. The sample provided included written exam
questions in the writing count. However, this was to conform to the 50% rule. A discussion ensued
around what type of writing is considered appropriate in order to meet the required number of
writing pages. It is best to consider the writing content on a case by case basis. The chair of the
group can contact the instructor for clarification if needed for course review.
Associate Provost Lindsey discussed the optional assessment question regarding the measurement
of learning outcomes that was added to the advanced writing course form. Faculty should be
thinking about this. Some departments have developed their own disciplinary-specific rubric.

The forms will be divided into 4 groups for members to review. Camie will send the distribution
(below) after the meeting. A few forms will be coming late and will be posted as soon as possible.
Jess (1)
Kelly (2)
Doug (3)
Sherrill (4)
Jody
Bernadette
Chase
Todd
Erin
Heather
Irene
Grace
Chris
Megan
David
Katlin
ANTY 310
ENST 231
ANTY 254
LSCI 295
LIT 202
NASX 280
ANTY 430
COMX 347
COMX 422
ENST 382
GPHY 335
LING 484
PSYX 400
SOCI 488
ENST 231 (late)
ANTY 450
COMX 413
COMX 424
ENST 335L
GPHY 433
PSCI 400
WGS 363
ANTY 402
ANTY 455
COMX 414
COMX 445
ECNS 433
ENST 367
SOCI 438
ANTY 430
BGEN 499
COMX 421
EDEC 454
ECNS 488-489
ENST 487
LING 473
PSYX 320
SOCI 441
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 12:04 p.m.