Re: Identity crisis

["Theresa P. Ammirati" <tpamm@conncoll.edu>]

Re: Jeanne Simpson's question on whether faculty status matters for 
directors of writing centers:

Apart from such things as being able to write letters of recommendation 
for tutors (a mixed blessing, perhaps--I'm looking at a stack I have to 
write right now---), there are it seems two other benefits to faculty status:

1.  At our school at least, academic budgets get cut after student life 
budgets--and, at least recently, academic budgets have gotten a higher 
yearly increase than student life budgets.  I wear several hats at my 
school, two of which are in student life and two of which are in academic 
affairs.  The one or two percent difference in budget, coupled with a 
greater ease for obtaining extra funding when I occasionally need it 
makes me glad that the center is under academic affairs--which is 
directly connected to my faculty status (I also teach part time, but 
one of my regular courses is a seminar in the teaching of writing, mainly 
used for tutors).

2.  Faculty attitudes can help make the center successful.  If they urge 
students to use it, take advantage of our services, and are willing to 
trust and work with us, life is generally easier.  My faculty status 
helps that to happen.  At our school, although there is occasional 
crossover, faculty and staff lead pretty separate lives.  Apart from the 
curricular decisions that Jeanne mentions, and that do from time to time 
affect the center, being part of the faculty helps me to get support for 
a variety of things that I might have a harder time getting otherwise.

Obviously, centers can and do function well when their directors are not 
also faculty, but for me, reporting to the dean of the faculty is a real 
plus.

Theresa Ammirati