Re: Identity crisis

[JOYCE HICKS <JHICKS@EXODUS.VALPO.EDU>]

After reading Richard's response from Daemon College, I decided to send in my
story too--mine is rather like his.  Here at Valparaiso University, as a member
of the English Department, an instructor, I started our writing center in the
late 70s in a cubbyhole among the department offices.  Through a variety of
moves, I was assigned a staff position--half-time Electronic Information
Services and half-time writing center director.  This suited me very well since
I no longer had to worry about tenure decisions affecting my job.  I report to
two vice presidents and have suffered no loss of status.  Out center employs
about 10 undergraduates as peer tutors to assist me.

Like Richard, I have enjoyed being associated with other student services and
have found a "peer group" so to speak.  It has also helped in salary and budget
since I have someone to turn to, rather than just being someone of low status
without a PhD in an academic department.  The combination has been excellent in
many other ways--non-computer people initially felt they had good input into
decisions involving technology affecting the humanities and students gained
from having an academic service near the technology.  Being "staff," I have had
many opportunites to affect writing done in many offices, as well as writing
done in classrooms.  Being staff, I avoid the competition over funds for
supplies, PCs, travel expenses, conferences and so forth that can occur within
a department.

With the general press for economy, I imagine many institutions will begin to
goup student services like academic support, career planning, etc together.

Joyce Hicks 

Joyce Hicks