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Articles Conference Reviews |
FSIG.8: Independent Writing UnitsFSIG.8: Independent Writing Units The Special Interest Group on Independent Writing Units (IWU SIG) was once again chaired by Barry M. Maid from Arizona State University, Mesa. The 2010 IWU SIG focused its meeting on the review of an application prepared by Maid and Keith Rhodes (Grand Valley State University) to form an affiliate organization of the Council of Writing Program Administrators (CWPA). The organization, to be known as Independent Writing Programs Affiliate, will be home to a collection of independent writing programs and freestanding departments and other units of writing in the United States and Canada. As Rhodes and Maid noted, there has been a significant increase in the number of independent writing units over the past three decades, and there appears to be more momentum for creating such units each year (for example, the University of Central Florida has recently committed $1.7 million dollars to the formation of an independent writing unit). Rhodes commented that he believes there are more than fifty independent writing units in North America, and Maid added that he regularly receives requests from faculty and administrators interested in creating an independent writing program. In fact, a group of faculty from Appalachian State University attending the 2010 IWU SIG was interested in creating such a program. Due to the steady and consistent growth of independent writing programs and departments and without a defined organizational home, Rhodes and Maid decided to apply for affiliate status with CWPA. In their application, Rhodes and Maid note that "writing programs take many forms. Their institutional homes may be in non-traditional [units] and they may teach many different styles [and types] of writing," including creative writing, technical writing, WAC/WID, scientific writing, and business writing. Nearly all independent writing units are responsible for first-year composition, but they also often offer BA/BS, MA/MS, and PhD degree programs. They tend to often house sites of the National Writing Project, Writing Centers, and even ESL programs. Maid and Rhodes believe CWPA "provides the intellectual and disciplinary foundation" that independent writing units need; however, they concede independent units "also have unique needs that are not addressed by CWPA," such as developing degree programs, fundraising and alumni development, and negotiating disciplinary boundaries, among others. Therefore, Maid and Rhodes submitted an application for affiliate status to represent independent writing units, to foster communication among them, and to promote collaboration between independent and traditional writing programs. Proposed member institutions for the Independent Writing Programs affiliate include the following:
If affiliate status is granted, then Rhodes will serve as President and CWPA Liaison, and the organization's first meeting will be held at the CWPA conference in July. Regular meetings will also be held at CCCC. Attendees at the IWU SIG were unanimous in their support of the application, and audience members thanked Maid and Rhodes for their leadership. |