Re: new thread: student activities link to WC?

[Karen Vaught-Alexander <karenva@uofport.edu>]

Hi,
Through no conscious plan, on my part anyway, my new--additional--duties 
for next year will include directing the pilot of the Freshman Year 
Experience program as well as the well-established Freshman Seminar 
Program. (That's in addition to WAC director, Freshman Writing and ESL 
Writing Director, and WC director) 

This FYE program will most certainly interface with the WC, WAC, etc. as 
well as Student Services (Orientation, etc.), Computer Services, Library, 
Volunteer Services, and Career and Counseling Services. I would love to 
hear about WC programs that enjoy such connections.

 Our WAC-based WC
already works heavily with courses and faculty from the WA's major 
anyway. We work on a team concept with faculty (field), WA, and student 
all working toward a mutual goal, improved student writing. The side 
benefit of improved faculty writing assignments because of WA questions 
is as appreciated as is the improved writing for the faculty to evaluate.

Karen Vaught-Alexander
University of Portland


On Tue, 4 Mar 1997, User JWERCHAN wrote:

> hi folks,
> 
> here's something new to chew on.  and maybe those of you who are at
> community colleges and such will know best how to help. 
> 
> here's the skinny: I'm the WC honcho at a commuter-only branch campus of 
> Ohio State.  We
> have mostly first and second year folks, plus a smaller proportion of 3rd
> and 4th (and even a smattering of M.A. folks). about 1500 students, total.
> 
> anyway, I'm wondering whether any of you have formed close relationships
> with student activities programming.  Our commuter campus is suffering in
> terms of student involvement in such activities.  I'm currently trying to
> start some kind of student publication opportunity.  we've got the
> go-ahead to do a small newsletter, and web publishing is feasible as well. 
> 
> problem:  getting ANYBODY to get on board.  I've got a couple of
> WC-tutor-trained people who want to make it happen, but it seems nothing
> short of self-immolation in the quad has a chance of attracting any
> attention to the organizational meetings. (the lack of publication medium 
> is pretty central to this, obviously)
> 
> and that lethargy runs deeper than just student publications.  the student
> senate is down to two active members (obviously well below a critical mass
> to be effectual). 
> 
> so, the question:  What can WC do to stimulate student activities
> cohesion/identification?  For that matter, what new, fresh, stimulating
> stuff can programming staff do?  Is there a listserv somewhere for 
> student activities programmers?  The end of organized student activities
> here would affect us all very negatively, in enrollment ways, retention
> ways, persistence ways, you name it.   Budget is modest, obviously.
> 
> so, brainstormers, what can we stir up? 
> 
> I fear there's some really bad mojo , psycho-social-cultural-historical in
> nature, that's behind this, but damned if I can psyche it out in any
> useful way.  But dammit, doomed-ness is not an acceptable option! 
> 
> .
> later,
> 
> james werchan
> 
> ohio state, lima
>