Three Main Units
Writing Center
Launched in 1985, the center specializes in various types of tutorial services for students — online, walk-in, and group sessions (associated with one-credit courses). Special training helps student employees assist peers with their writing needs. A new resource for graduate students is the Graduate and Professional Writing Center.
The Writing Center also serves faculty by assisting with writing assignment and evaluation techniques.
Writing Assessment program
Skill evaluations are required for all entering freshmen, and at the junior-level when students are preparing to certify into their major field of study. Each year, about 10 percent of students university-wide pass their Junior Writing Portfolio "with distinction," an achievement that is noted on their offical transcripts of grades. Students who exhibit weak writing skills are offered many tools for improvement.
The Writing Assessment Program also prepares detailed analyses of the porfolios every two years. The most recent (2007) indicates that WSU's student writers are good communicators through their writing.
Writing in the Disciplines program
Since 1991, the Writing in the Disciplines program has provided support and coordination for faculty from across disciplines as they create opportunities for students to learn through their writing. Under the auspices of the All-University Writing Committee, the program facilitates the development and review of Writing in the Major [M] courses. Currently, more than 300 M-courses are offered at WSU.
Writing in the Disciplines also assists faculty by hosting development workshops throughout the academic year, and by providing a conduit for an ongoing exchange of ideas about the teaching of writing among faculty and writing instruction experts from the three units of the Writing Program.
...about 10 percent of students university-wide pass their Junior Portfolio "with distinction," an achievement that is noted on their official transcripts of grades.