CORE WRITING PROGRAM (CWP)

The Core Writing Program at UNR consists of three first-year college writing courses--­English 1, 101 and 102--which are taught by faculty, Teaching Assistants, and instructors on Letters of Appointment.  English 101 and 102 are core curriculum courses, part of a 33-hour requirement for all students.  Students must pass English 102 in order to graduate from UNR.

CWP Office: The Core Writing office, located in Frandsen Humanities (FH) 131, is open five days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Also in Frandsen are the offices of everyone who teaches in the program.  All Core Writing Program instructors have mailboxes in FH 127.  Office phones are listed below:

Core Writing Office (FH 131)                           784-6709

English Department (FH 119)                           784-6689

     Department Secretaries Geri McVeigh (x221) and Cami Allen (x238)

Writing Center (EJCH 206)                              784-6030

Lecturer Office (FH 06)                                    784-6709 x254

TA Office (FH 07)                                           784-6709 x255

Lecturer Office (FH 08)                                    784-6709 x256

TA Office (FH 24)                                           784-6709 x257

Core Writing Committee: The Core Writing Committee is a group of composition instructors who help the director in developing the program.  The committee advises the director on policy and curriculum, reads 102 credit-by-exam and grade appeals, writes final exit exams, mentors instructors, reviews textbooks, and organizes other program activities.  If you have any suggestions for the program, please contact one of us.

Orientation:    The Core Writing Program holds an orientation two weeks before classes begin.  All new Teaching Assistants are required to attend the first two weeks; instructors on Letter of Appointment are urged to attend all or part of the orientation, and returning instructors will participate on the final day.

Book Fair: Every spring the office, along with publishers' representatives, hosts a book fair to preview next year's texts in composition.  This is an excellent opportunity to see the latest texts from the major publishing houses in our field.

Other Occasions: The Core Writing Committee sponsors several “Teachers Teaching Teachers” workshops during the school year.  Each year we also have a barbecue during orientation and pizza parties to close each semester.  We hope you’ll attend all these events, and we’ll appreciate your help with some of them.

Audiovisual Equipment: Our composition classrooms have overhead projectors and screens.  “Smart carts” with VCRs and monitors, along with a cassette/CD player, may be obtained through the English office.  A sign-up sheet is posted for

reserving this equipment. If the equipment you need for a class is unavailable you may call TLT (Teaching and Learning Technologies) Classroom Support Services and make arrangements through that office.  TLT requires a two-day notice for delivery.

Web Pages: The Core Writing website (www.unr.edu/cla/engl/cwp) has program and placement information, course descriptions, instructor information, sample student essays, and (from time to time) other useful information about first-year writing.

The instructional staff at Getchell Library has recently developed a helpful, link-filled information page and tutorial to introduce first-year students to the methods, subtleties, and intrigues of library research.  We urge English 102 instructors to view and use this page with their students.  English 1 and 101 instructors might also take a peek. www.library.unr.edu/~instruction/tutorial/ENGL102/research.html.

Finally, we have URLs of some interesting writing program websites and online writing labs (OWLs) on other campuses.  Contact Kathy Boardman, Brad Lucas, or Joe Calabrese (the English Department’s official Web person) for a start on these.

Core Writing Guide and Writer’s Handbooks: All English 1, 101, and 102 students should purchase a copy of Been There, Done That, the (2001 version).  In addition to sample student essays from English 1, 101, and 102, the Guide contains information on our program.  You should also require or advise your students to purchase a writer’s handbook to supplement their course of study.  This year we have ordered copies of Lunsford and Connors, The Everyday Writer (St. Martin’s, 2003) for the use of English 1, 101, and 102 students.  The reader for English 101 this fall is Seeing & Writing 2 (Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2003). 

If you haven’t already received desk copies of these books, contact the CWP office.

In the office we also have shelves full of publishers’ sample (“examination”) copies of textbooks.  You’re welcome to take these and look through them for examples and ideas for teaching.  Or you may want to look at the more recent books as possible texts for future classes. 

PROGRAM POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Placement:      We use the ACT/SAT test scores for initial placement.  The scores appear below; they are also printed in the CWP brochure and in the university course schedule each semester:

Students who don't believe their test scores reflect their writing ability accurately may write a placement essay or submit a portfolio of several papers for placement evaluation prior to the start of school.  There is no deadline for these placement essays and portfolios, but it takes two weeks for our office to read and process them.  Students who successfully place in a more advanced class must then register for the appropriate class.  (We “place” students, but we don’t register them.)

If, during the first week of class, it appears to you that one of your students is seriously misplaced, bring a writing sample to the office for a second reading as soon as possible.  Students can’t switch classes after the university’s add-drop deadline.

Any student may sign up for an English 1 course.  It is not necessary to check placement in that course.  It is nearly impossible for a student to register for English 101 without an appropriate test score, proof of completing a course equivalent to English 1 at another educational institution, or successful completion of the placement evaluation procedure.

In the fall term, a computer "block" ensures that only qualified students are able to enroll in English 102.  However, in the spring term there is no block, and it is up to English 102 instructors to verify that students in their English 102 courses have registered correctly.  Proof of proper enrollment may include any one of the following: a) completion of English 101 at UNR or a transfer 101 from another educational institu­tion; b) the appropriate ACT or SAT test score; c) a score of three or higher on the AP (or CBAPE) test; or d) a "Class Admit Card" from the Core Writing Program Office.  Checking for correct enrollment during the first week of class can save a lot of problems later in the semester.

Notes about the First Two Weeks of Classes:

¨      Busy, Busy, Busy.  The first two weeks of classes are traditionally very busy, not just for each of you, but also for the English and CWP offices.  We will be administering placement essays, putting together the spring class schedule, and answering questions for new staff and students.  Please do your photocopying and other office chores as soon as possible at the beginning of the semester.  If you need help with anything, please see Jodie or Kathy.

¨      Late Registration.  Late registration generally runs through the first week and a half of each semester (excluding summer terms).  During this time, students are allowed to register for open classes although they are subject to a late fee.  As an instructor, you should make it clear to each student who registers late that he or she is still responsible for any work that was due in class before he or she registered.  And, even though it may be inconvenient to help a student “catch up” after a week of class, you may not refuse to admit a student who has officially added the course before the “add” deadline has passed.

¨      Do Not Keep “Waiting Lists.”  New students (and new teachers) hear all sorts of gossip about how to get into classes that are full.  “Just go to the class you want and persuade the teacher to let you in as an overload or put you on a waiting list” is a typical bit of bad advice that many of our students hear.  It is not a good idea to take an overload of students: a writing class of 25 is already large, as you will see when you begin grading papers.  And please do not keep waiting lists.  A student is not registered in your class unless his or her name is on the computer list.  The University’s computer does not recognize your waiting list.  Your best advice to the unregistered “visitor” to your class would be this: “Register for a class you can get into, and keep trying for my class through phone registration.  As soon as someone drops, you can get a space.”

¨      Dropping No-show Students.  Please DROP any students who miss the first two class meetings without contacting you.  This English Department policy is printed in the Class Schedule.  When classes are full, no-shows take class spaces away from students who would like to register and attend.  Come to the CWP office for help with this procedure.  After the drop-add deadline, teachers cannot drop students from their classes.  The student has to initiate the drop or withdrawal.

Summer School: The department chair generally asks anyone interested in teaching during summer term to apply sometime during fall semester.  If you are interested in summer teaching but have not seen a notice about it, either ask the CWP office or leave a note for the chair.  Summer 2004 mini-term begins May 17th.  The first session begins June 7; the second term starts July 12.

PAPERWORK, PAPERWORK!

¨      Official Class Lists: You will receive initial class lists some time during the first week of classes.  Another class list will appear a few weeks later.  Directions will be attached to the lists, but in general you should do the following: a) indicate if a student whose name is on your list has never been to class; b) list the name of any student who has regularly attended the course but whose name does not appear on the list; c) indicate or verify the building and classroom the course meets in; d) sign your name and date the page before returning to the Core Writing office; and e) make sure you return the completed forms by the date requested.

¨      Final Grade Sheets: Final grade sheets will appear in your mailboxes just before the week of finals.  Again, the Admissions and Records office attaches instructions to the grade sheets, but the following things generally need to be noted: a) if a student's name appears on the grade sheet and that student has either never attended or stopped attending at some point before or around mid-semester, please indicate that information next to the student's name; b) if the name of a student who has regularly attended the course does not appear on your grade sheet, please indicate that information as well; c) make sure that there is a grade next to each name (Do not list “W” in the grade column for any student, even a student you believe has withdrawn or dropped).  A "W" for withdrawal can only be assigned by Admissions and Records after the proper forms have been submitted by a student.  "D" is considered a passing grade in English 101 and 102.  In English 1, an "S" (Satisfactory), is given for an A, B, or C; a "U" (Unsatisfactory) is given for a D or F, and the student must repeat the course.

¨      "F" Grades: Assign a grade of “F” to any student who has not satisfactorily completed the course, even if you believe the student must have dropped. A drop form should have been processed for any student who withdraws from a course, but occasionally there are oversights, and your good record-keeping can help.  Make a notation next to the name of any student for whom you believe you have a signed a drop form.  If you remember the approximate date you signed the drop request, the date the student stopped attending, or the date the student talked to you about dropping, list that information as well.  If you indicate this information, a student who failed to complete the proper paperwork for withdrawal will have an easier time having the class dropped after the fact.  In addition, please list a reason for any final grade of F. The following reasons usually apply: a) student stopped attending (an approximate date); b) student never attended; c) missing work; d) unsatisfactory work; e) number of absences.  We are not asking you to justify the “F” grade, but we would like to have as much information as possible available in the office in case the student or the Admissions and Records office calls with questions while you are away during the semester break.

¨      Incompletes:  An incomplete (I) is reserved for a special situation: a student is doing satisfactory work throughout the semester, but a hardship arises at the end of the semester—a medical emergency, a financial crisis—which prevents the student from completing the course.  To give a student an incomplete, follow the instructions on the final grade sheet.  The student has one semester to remove the incomplete; after that, the grade converts to an F.  Reasons for any incomplete must be listed on the grade sheet.

¨      Withdrawals:  A withdrawal (W) can only be initiated by the student through Admissions and Records and will be recorded by that office on your grade sheet.  For the first half of the semester, a student may drop a course without the instructor's or department's approval.  At mid-semester, students can withdraw only with a memo on department letterhead of approval from their instructor.  You may provide such a memo, but you will never write a “W” on a grade sheet.  Drop deadlines are listed in the university course schedule.  Some instructors include these on their policy sheets.

This paperwork is easy if you keep good records.  Gradebooks are available in the office.

A computer spreadsheet or record book of your choice can also serve as an official gradebook.

End of Semester Notes:

¨      Final Week: Check the University's Class Schedule for the two-hour time period allotted to your classes during Final Week.  All classes are required to meet at those assigned times during finals.  These contact hours are part of the semester's instruction to which students are entitled.  You need not give a final exam during this period, but you must be available to your students.

¨      Evaluations:  At the end of the semester, all students evaluate their classes through a departmental evaluation form. (A sample is included in this handbook.) Jodie will distribute these forms about two weeks before the semester ends; we require that all composition instructors use them.  The director reviews course evaluations each semester in order to advise instructors on areas for improvement in teaching.  They may also be used to substantiate letters of recommendation and to help identify instructors for special commendations.

¨      Paper and Grade Pick-up: Due to federal privacy regulations, the CWP Office does not post grades at the end of the semester.  Ask students to bring in a self-­addressed, stamped envelope or postcard, or remind them that they may check their grades on the web or by calling x4585 the day after grades are due at Admissions and Records.

¨      Please don’t leave papers in the office or mail room for students to pick up.  Not only do we not have room for piles of papers, but it is impossible for us to make sure that papers will be taken only by the student who wrote them.  You may want to arrange a time and day during the week of finals to meet with students to return their papers.  Let students know as early as possible what day that will be.  Otherwise, tell students they’ll have to check with you after the next semester begins to get their papers.  One other alternative is to have students leave self-addressed stamped envelopes for the return of their work.  Student papers not retrieved by the student should be held by the instructor for one semester.

¨      Grade Appeals: Students are entitled to appeal the final grade in any class.  They must first file an Intent to Appeal within twenty days after grades are mailed; later they file the actual appeal after speaking with the instructor.  Appeals are usually based on one of two causes. (1) In the first, the student challenges the grading of essays by an instructor as unfair, inconsistent, or prejudicial.  When this occurs, all the student's papers are copied, distributed to members of a grade appeal committee, read, and graded.  This is one of several good reasons for students to keep all written work until the end of the semester.  Without their papers, there is no appeal. (2) In the second instance, a student challenges a grade based on a policy decision made by the instructor, e.g., number of absences, weight given certain assignments, missing work.  In this situation, the office will stand behind the instructor's grade as long as the policy in question is stated on the policy sheet.  See the UNR catalogue for further information on grade appeals.

Library Tours or Presentations: See Jodie or contact Betty Glass, Instructional Services Librarian, 784-6500 x303.

Writing Center Tours: The Writing Center Director, Mark Waldo, does allow short tours of the Writing Center.  Also, a member of the Writing Center staff will be glad to visit your class to explain the purpose of the Center to your students.  Contact the Writing Center to schedule an appointment (x6030).  The Center is in Cain Hall (EJCH) 206.

Plagiarism: Students who plagiarize, or present the work of another as their own without acknowledgement, are guilty of literary theft.  Some plagiarism is intentional (e.g., papers “borrowed” from friends or bought on the Internet), but some occurs unintentionally because students are unsure of academic writing conventions--summary, paraphrase, quotation, attribution, citation.  These skills need to be addressed in class.  Failure of the work is the mildest penalty for plagiarism.  In more serious cases, students may fail the course and may be reported to university administrators.  See Kathy if you have a plagiarism case and wonder what to do.

Disruptive Students: The best response is to talk privately with the student, ensuring that he or she understands the standard for behavior in your classroom.  If misbehavior continues, you may remove the student from your class.  See Kathy for details about this.  A student’s disruptive behavior is more than an inconvenience to the teacher.  The other students resent it, and it detracts from class time.

If, during a class session, you feel a disruptive student is in any way out of control or a danger to you or other students, you should ask the student to leave.  If he or she refuses, dismiss the class AND leave with the rest of the students (DO NOT leave the class alone while you call campus police.) Notify UNR Police of the incident as soon as possible.

If you have any questions about how to deal with student behavior or if you'd like to chat about classroom management, stop by and see Kathy.  Please don't hesitate to do this.

Canceled Classes: Please notify the Core Writing Program Office immediately if you must cancel or miss a class, and try to arrange an in-class assignment so students do not miss valuable class time.  Jodie will post a notice and the assignment when you notify her.

IMPORTANT:  If you are going on a field trip or meeting your class at some other location (e.g. the library), please leave a note with the CWP office (an email will do).  We must know where to contact you or your students in an emergency.

Staff Meetings: Staff meetings will be held when necessary to discuss issues regarding the program.  These include "whole program" meetings and special meetings for specific courses (1, 101, or 102).  These meetings, like the teaching workshops, are part of your teaching responsibilities, and you should plan to attend.

Class Visits: Class visits are held throughout the year to evaluate and advise instructors in the program.  These visits are also important for future teaching recommendations.  The director, graduate teaching coordinators, and mentors visit new Teaching Assistants and instructors on Letters of Appointment.  New teachers are also asked to observe experienced English 1, 101 and 102 instructors as part of their English 737 course.  Kathy will visit at least one class of every new CWP instructor during the year.  The visit is usually followed by an informal conversation between the instructor and director.  Once you are settled into the routine of your classroom, be sure to invite Kathy to visit a class session. 

Note to English 1 Instructors: 

Students from English 1 may attempt to receive credit for English 101 by preparing a portfolio and registering for Credit by Exam (CBE).  (If they are successful, they will then be able to register for English 102 for the following semester.)  Please work closely with the Teaching Coordinator for English 1 in completing these procedures:

a)         Student portfolios must be ready for evaluation 4-5 weeks before finals.

b)         Students who are recommended for placement in English 102 should be notified immediately.  In addition, they should be told to contact the Core Writing Program Office if they wish to receive credit for English 101. (You should let them know that this must be done before the week of finals, that we will need a copy of the portfolio materials, which will not be returned to them, and that it involves a $25.00 credit-by-exam fee.)

c)         Give the Core Writing Program secretary a list of students in your class(es) who are being recommended for English 102.

d)         STUDENTS WHO DO NOT APPLY FOR ENGLISH 101 CREDIT DURING THE SEMESTER THAT THEY ARE ENROLLED IN ENGLISH 1 CANNOT APPLY FOR 101 CREDIT AT A LATER DATE.

Because credit by department examination must take place during the regular semester, it is imperative that students wishing to try for 101 credit complete the procedure immediately.  We also must have a copy of test results to submit with the application in the student's permanent file in Admissions and Records.  Please discourage your students from going to Admissions and Records before they have been to the Core Writing Program Office.  Jodie has a detailed handout for students to follow.

IN THE CORE WRITING OFFICE

Memos:  We use email and occasional paper memos to communicate with everyone about policies, deadlines, book orders, teaching preferences, and so on.  Please check your mailbox and email frequently; note any due dates or special requests and respond to these memos quickly.

PLEASE MEET ALL DEADLINES CONSCIENTIOUSLY.

With more than 200 classes a year, we are a large program, and everyone has a lot to do.  Please do not make the secretaries or the committee members hunt you down for grade sheets, book orders, syllabi, and other paperwork.

Syllabi:  Syllabi for every course must be submitted to the CWP office by the end of the 1^st week of the semester.

Keeping the Office Informed: If for any reason you cannot make it to a class or scheduled conference or office hour, please let the CWP office know as soon as possible.  If you must, you may leave a message on the answering machine, but it is also a good idea to contact a person (office partner, someone in the main English Office, a friend in the department) who can let the office know the situation and tell us what you want done.

Supplies:   Grade books, transparencies, paper, markers, and other supplies are available from Jodie--as long as the budget allows for supplies.  Please let Jodie know if supplies of any item are running low.

Photocopying:  The photocopy machine is in FH 115.  Each instructor will receive a copy account number and/or vendor card and will be allotted 1200 copies per semester.  Any copies exceeding this limit will be charged to the instructor.  You’ll receive a record of your copying from Jodie.  If possible, limit your photocopying to policy sheets, syllabi, and assignment sheets.  We strongly encourage the use of overheads, published anthologies and magazines, the dry-erase or chalkboard, and computer printers as alternatives to photocopying.  If you make copies after office hours or on the weekend, please remember to turn off the machine.

First Aid: A first-aid kit is located in the cabinet in the lounge, FH 140.

Telephones: Long distance phone calls can be made only from 784-6709 (CWP) or 784-6689 (English Department Office).  If a long distance call is personal, please leave a note for the secretary stating your name, the number called, time and date of the call.  You will be charged when the department is billed.

Office Space: We’ll assign you an office when you begin work here.  Occasionally new office space becomes available and we can try to do a little rearranging.  We’ll try to accommodate any reasonable request.  Most of you will be sharing desks with one or two other instructors.  Please be considerate and patient with your colleagues.

Keys:  Geri will give you keys to the building and office to which you are assigned.  You must return University keys when your contract ends, in order to receive your final check.  The charge for any unreturned or lost key is $10, except for the outside building key, which is $50.  If your key is lost or stolen and you fill out a police report, you will not have to pay the $10 charge (one time only).

Maintenance: Please advise our custodian (Joe) of any problems, and he will take care of these as quickly as possible.  But you and your students should be responsible for erasing boards, turning off lights, and straightening desks in your classroom each day.  Please report burned out lights or broken equipment to Jodie.

Security:  Be sure to lock your office doors before you leave for the day.  Also, if you have a class late in the day, please be sure to turn off the lights before you leave the room.  The mailroom and main office are to remain locked after 5:00 on weekdays.  If you enter the building late in the evening or on the weekends, be sure to keep the building doors closed and locked.

The business office number for campus police is 784-4013.  For non-emergency assistance call 334-2121.  For emergencies, call 9-911.  A campus escort service is available at 742-6808.

Email: You should open your own email account (free) with the university as soon as possible.  You may go to the Help desk in the library.  Accounts can also be opened via the University's web page at www.unr.edu.  Urge or require your students to open free accounts with the University, especially if they don’t already have their own commercial accounts.  Please make sure Jodie always has your current correct email address.

CAMPUS RESOURCES AND REFERRALS

Emotional Problems, Psychological Counseling and Chemical Dependency:

 Dr. Lois Parker, Director.  Counseling Center 784-4648.

The university maintains a counseling service for students.  These professionals—and not writing instructors—are trained to counsel students with emotional problems.  However, because of the nature of our courses, we are often the first to become aware of such problems.  If this happens, refer the student to this service; possibly call and make an appointment for the student or talk with the director first—depending on the nature of the problem.

English as a Second Language:

Dr. Esther Ghymn 784-6689 x240

International students whose first language is not English should be referred to Esther Ghymn for evaluation and placement.  The ESL program offers two courses, English 113 and 114, which are equivalent to English 101 and 102 and carry three credits each.  Lower level ESL courses, referred to as "bridge courses," are taught in the Intensive English Language Center (x6O75) on campus.  If you have questions about a second-language English student who is not an international student, contact Kathy Boardman or Esther Ghymn.

Thompson Student Services:

Room 107 Thompson Building 784-6801.

This department, located in the building just south of the library, offers a number of services.  One is tutoring, provided by junior and senior students in a wide range of courses.  There is no charge for group tutoring.  Students should contact the director, Barbara King. 

The second service is Disabilities Services.  Mary Zabel works with students with learning disabilities.  She can be reached at ext. 6044 or 6000.  Hazel Ralston, counselor, assists students with financial aid and course requirements and acts as a general counselor.  This program is federally funded, and there are specific requirements in order to receive this counseling.  The disabilities services are provided to any student on campus needing this type of service.

University Writing Center:

Dr. Mark Waldo, Director, EJCH 206, 784-6030.

The Center is available to any student who needs writing help.  English 1 students are required to attend regularly; we want English 101 and 102 students to visit at least once, but we encourage them to visit often.  The Center assists not only students in writing classes, but students in all classes on campus.  Trained tutors are available for half-hour appoint­ments.  Students should call ahead or stop in to make an appointment.  Several computers are available, without charge, to any student.  The Center will open the first week of class.

A BRIEF GUIDE TO CAMPUS RESOURCES: 

Academic Skills Center: Barbara King, 6801

             (Student could use some academic assistance, tutoring, help with study skills, etc.)

Academic and Career Counseling : Pru Jones, 4678

            (Student would like some help choosing major, planning career.)

Academic Advising: If a student needs academic advising and doesn’t know the name of an advisor, contact our department’s head of advising, Peg Urie (6689 x261) for information.

Counseling & Testing: Lois Parker, 4648: If a student seems overstressed, depressed, especially confused, call the counseling center, help the student make an appointment, or walk him/her to the office.

Student Judicial Affairs: Sally Morgan, 4388

(Advice on how to handle disruptive classroom behavior, cheating.  If these problems occur in your class, see the Core Writing Director first, if possible.)

Campus Police: 334-2121 (non-emergency); 9-911 (emergency); 4013 (business office)

Campus Escort Service: 742-6808, 784-6341

Instructional Services Librarian (Humanities): Betty Glass, 6500x303

(Advice on research materials & methods; presentations for your classes)

Parking: Melody Bayfield, 4654

Substance Abuse Program: Garry Rubenstein, 4648

(For educational programs and material on alcohol and drug abuse; they do not treat abusers)

Sexual Assault Prevention and Counseling Program (SAPAC): 327-5018

(Classroom presentations on sexual assault prevention; counseling and liaison services provided free to victims of sexual assault.)

Bookstore: Marie Stewart, 6597, 6666

(Call with questions and reorders.  All CWP book orders must go through the CWP office.)

Classroom Services: 6085 x241.  Ask for Greg Gardella

            (Classroom technology, ordering AV equipment; technology glitches & repairs)

Disability Resource Center: Mary Zabel, 6000

Support for various students: Athletics, Laura, 1403; info, 1552

            Ethnic Student Resource Center, 4936; Women's Resource      Center, 4611

Internships: Nancy Markee, 4762

Legal information, referral: 6132 (ASUN service)

 

Student Health: 6598

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