WRITING AND ORAL COMMUNICATION TASK FORCE
Minutes of First Meeting June 20 2002
Present: Co-chairs Steve Bernhardt and John Courtright; Members Jack Baroudi, Pam
Beeman, Michael Chajes, John Dohms, Leila Lyons, Karen McCready and Carol
Vukelich; Staff Julie Demgen
Guest: Dean Mark Huddleston
The meeting began at 2:10pm with the Task Force members introducing themselves and
their reasons for being a part of the group.
Leadership of the Task Force: Steve Bernhardt explained that his charge as Kirkpatrick
Chair in Writing is to raise the culture of literacy by engaging at the University level all
the colleges in order to graduate students with broad communication skills. John
Courtright announced that his role would be slightly different than originally anticipated,
since he will be replacing Bill Frawley as Director of Undergraduate Studies, but that this
would still be a good fit since the position is responsible for General Education, among
other things.
Origins of the Task Force: Mark Huddleston explained that this task force grew out of a
working group in the College of Arts & Science when it became apparent that literacy
and communication issues touched all the colleges. The other Deans agreed and
appointed “heavy hitters” from their respective colleges to this group. Mark’s
observation is that when issues like these arise, the solutions are addressed in symbolic
ways, e.g.. require students to take English 110 and regard the problem as solved by
“checking a box” and moving on. He recognizes that “something’s broken” – that our
students should leave here with better skills and that this may require reallocation of
resources. He wants the task force to determine “What do we need to do?” and
acknowledges that it “won’t be easy but will be rewarding.” The President is very much
aware of this project and has been sending Mark and Steve relevant articles. Bobby
Gempesaw is also taking a keen interest and helped to organize the work of the Task
Force and select its members. The Task Force should plan on meeting over a 9-month
period to produce a set of recommended actions for campus-wide implementation.
Discussion: Steve asked the group to look at the Charge to the Task Force and to offer
suggestions. There was discussion of approaches taken by departments and colleges.
Engineering has been encouraged by its accreditation board to focus on outcomes-based
assessment, such as would be involved if students prepared portfolios. Business requires
leading group discussions and giving major presentations. Ag offers a Freshman Seminar
and has observed that the students’ professional correspondence skills are poor. Nursing
students’ programs are so structured that they have trouble getting writing courses and
are sometimes forced to take whatever they can get. John C. summarized that all colleges
and departments want students to use visual aids and to write a coherent paragraph and
that it is necessary to develop discipline-specific goals and objectives that build on
general goals. Questions were raised about the value of E110 (the IntroComp course,
required of all students). It was noted that resources would be required to respond to the
various Colleges’ needs.
Further discussion generated a number of suggestions.
1. A collaborative effort among the colleges was recommended, since students learn
differently when they go outside their home college. Coalition building will be
important.
2. The Task Force needs to look at how service courses are used by various
programs and evaluate the extent to which program requirements are consistent
and logical.
3. It was generally agreed that faculty education and development is necessary.
4. Improving writing is difficult, demanding frequent practice with feedback. Grades
should be given with explanation, since a grade alone is not helpful.
5. Students should be involved in the Task Force’s discussion, as they are in
Business’ advisory panels. There might be ways to involve students in peer
tutoring or other leadership roles.
6. The Task Force should work to understand current practices at UD. For example,
Clyde Moneyhun should be consulted on what is now in place in the Writing
Center and the Writing Program. Ann Ardis and Nancy Buffington might brief the
Task Force on the activities of the Writing Fellows. Advisement staff, Writing
Center staff, and those who currently teach oral and written communication might
be asked to brief the Task Force.
7. The Task Force should consider novel approaches. Suppose, for example, that we
didn’t teach writing but that the writing was done in course assignments, and
writing faculty became consultants?
8. It is important to look at what other Universities are doing.
9. Improving our students’ skills would help to attract better students and faculty and
produce better students.
10. Performance assessment is crucial.
Actions: The task force will be twice a month – first Thursdays @3:30-5 and third
Mondays @10:30-noon. Julie will confirm via email. A budget for supplies has been
allocated, and additional money will be sought for bringing in people from other
Universities, or to attend conferences or visit other schools. Task Force members are
encouraged to attend the Gen Ed Institute July 15-16, since there is some focus on
writing. Richard Light will be speaking on Monday, and Deborah Bosley will speak on
Tuesday. It was asked that the talks be taped, preferably digitally.
Steve and John will be preparing a notebook with relevant articles and other materials.
Members asked for E110 and E312 syllabi, information on who requires term papers,
what writing assignments are given in individual departments, and what the criteria are
for evaluation. Carol offered to get copies of the State of Delaware’s Writing Assessment
for the briefing book, and Leila agreed to help develop a Task Force webpage.
The meeting adjourned at 3:45pm. The next meeting will be on Thursday, September 5,
from 3:30-5 in the Elliott Hall Conference Room.