WAC Meeting Minutes
11/29/2012
CC 207
12:00 to 1:00

Present: Snavely, Steege, Pullin, Preston, Heinrichs, Greene, Cronovich, Montanaro, Matthews.

We met to discuss the findings of the NSSE and CLA. We began with the NSSE.

Question 1c. Prepared two or more drafts of a paper or assignment before turning it in. (2.55 for FY, 2.66 for SR. FY for 2012 NSSE 2.70, our FY -.15** lower)

Discussion: Our program allows faculty to provide feedback through either multiple revisions of the same assignment or multiple assignments that are similar (e.g., not necessarily revised, but given feedback to improve next assignment). This might explain what’s happening with our FY. However, our seniors are being asked to produce more drafts over time. They have both the senior project, and more WI courses.

Heritage: Writing assignments may be one draft then revise, and/or a draft that’s written in pieces. We don’t have a freshman writing course. The writing done in WH is not just about writing, but also about content, which is different than many FY required writing courses.

Positive: our score goes up. Data is consistent with our program/curriculum goals. We’ve got a senior thesis, and other places don’t. Doing writing throughout their career that requires multiple drafts.

Question 1d Worked on a paper or project that required integrating ideas or information from various sources. (2.96 for FY, 3.42 SR. FY for 2012 NSSE 3.14, our results -.23**)

We don’t require a research paper in FY. However, our score goes up over time, consistent with research papers/senior projects in the major. Our WAC guidelines don’t require integration. Question: is this something WH might want to look at?

Question 3c Number of written papers or reports of 20 pages or more. (1.15** FY, 1.83** SR. FY for 2012 NSSE is 1.29, SR 1.65)

Question 3d Number of written papers or reports between 5 and 19 pages (2.30 FY, 2.68 SR. FY for 2012 NSSE is 2.26; SR 2.60)

Question 3e Number of written papers or reports of fewer than 5 pages (3.34 FY, 3.43 SR, both of which are statistically significant—more than 2012 NSSE results).

WI doesn’t require 20 page papers, or any length papers. Individual instructors are left to determine how long their assignments are. We encourage the use of process writing and shorter assignments in the WAC workshops. In this sense, the data in the NSSE reflects the framework of our WAC program.

11c Writing clearly and effectively (3.15 FY, 3.26 SR, 2012 NSSE: 3.06 FY, 3.16 SR)

Our NSSE results are slightly higher than overall 2012 NSSE results, however, they are slightly lower for SR in Carnegie class (SR=3.40**).