ASCRC Writing Subcommittee Minutes, 10/18/10
Members Present: G. Burns, J. DeSoto, N. Hinman M. Medvetz, T. Russell, M.
Semanoff
Members Excused/Absent: P. Silverman, K. Zoellner
Ex-Officio Present: K. Ryan, K. Webster
The meeting was called to order at 11:10 p.m.
The minutes from 9/4/10 were approved.
Communication:

A new student member was nominated by ASUM. However, she was not in
attendance.

The committee discussed its recommendation that Academic Affairs consider
establishing a general policy for testing accommodations for ESL students. Since
the issue would encompass accommodations other than writing, it will be
forwarded to the Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate for consideration.

UNC 270, Critical Writing II is being eliminated. It closely resembles WRIT 201
and is no longer needed. The review of the course was initiated by the effort to
find academic homes for courses with the UNC rubric. Director Webster has
submitted a form to delete the course to ASCRC.

ECOS reviewed the proposed charge and recommends the Writing Proficiency
Assessment procedures in the last line be changed to writing assessment
procedures. The membership section wording was also slightly revised to be
consistent with other standing committees.
Business Items:

The various subcommittees summarized their review. Specifics regarding
necessary follow-up will be sent to Chair Semanoff. The following courses were
discussed:
Group 3
Approved:
MCLG 195, Environment and Nature in the Classical World
It was recommended that the writing sample document be posted on the website
as a resource for faculty.
Pending:
HSTR 400, Historical Research Seminar
DBS –Upper-division writing distributed model, Add BIOL 460, BIOB 425,
BIOL 484
BIOB 425 and 460 require writing outcomes, grading criteria, and more
details regarding writing assignments on the syllabus. BIOL 425 could be
used as a reference.
Group 1
Approved:
AAS 345 (415), Black Radical Tradition
HSTA 461 UG, Research in Montana History
Pending:
ANTH 326, Religious Belief Systems
HSTR 437 UG, U.S. - Latin American Relations
Group 2
Approved:
HSTA/WGS 471 UG, Writing Women's Lives
Writing learning outcomes need to be incorporated into the syllabus
COMM 395 (413), Communication and Conflict-Writing
The first student learning outcome needs to be completed on the form.
Pending:
BUS 291, Critical Analysis for Business Professions
Language on the form is ambiguous. Course objectives do not list
writing.
Group 4
Approved:
Forestry- Upper-division writing distributed model, Add FOR 489E
Syllabi should include statement that the course can be used to partially
satisfy the upper-division writing requirement in the major.
Although the forms indicate the College of Forestry will organize
meetings/workshops for faculty that teach the courses in collaboration
with the Writing Center staff, the Writing Center had not been contacted.
Director Webster initiated contact and is willing to work with the College.
Pending:
HSTR 418 UG, Research Seminar: Britain in the Long Eighteenth Century
DANC 360L, World Dance
Course does not have appropriate % of writing. Writing outcomes need to
be added to syllabus.
It was noted that College of Education and Human Services, The School of
Business and now the College of Forestry and Conservation require students to
take the UDWPA prior to enrolling in upper-division writing courses. This will
incrementally enforce students to take the assessment when intended.
The committee may need to revisit the forms, so that it is clear that writing
learning outcomes are required on the syllabus.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:00 p.m.