UCSD
CAMPUS NOTICE
University of California, San Diego

OFFICE OF THE SENIOR VICE CHANCELLOR
ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

May 17, 2002

ALL UCSD FACULTY
KEY ADMINISTRATORS/KEY SUPPORT STAFF

Dear Colleagues:

I am pleased to announce the continuation of the Pilot Program for Upper Division Writing Instruction that was first launched during the 2000-01 academic year.  The program was developed in response to suggestions from CEP, Provosts, and faculty that our campus should give more attention to writing at the upper division level across all disciplines and majors. The program will provide additional funds to departments in support of incorporating or enhancing writing instruction in existing upper division courses.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Academic Affairs will fund six to eight awards of $5,000 each in support of courses offered during Fall 2002, Winter 2003, and Spring 2003 quarters.

Proposals must be approved and submitted by Department Chairs.  Each department will be limited to one proposal for writing instruction in an existing upper division course.

A minimum course enrollment level of 25 is suggested.  Given the wide spectrum of possible uses in the different disciplines, the program will aim to learn whether awarded funds can be used effectively for different types of courses -- large and small.

Funding for each approved course will be $5,000, independent of course enrollment.

Funds will not be awarded for general course enrichment, but are restricted for improvement of discipline-specific writing skills. Writing enhancement may use TAs, Readers, Lecturers, or writing consultants, as deemed most effective by the department and the course instructor.

Proposals will be reviewed by an interdisciplinary Selection Committee, and final allocation decisions will be made by the Senior Vice Chancellor.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Proposals should include a brief plan for evaluating the effectiveness of the proposed objectives for improvement of discipline-specific writing skills.   Applicants are encouraged to consider the answers to the following questions:  

·        What is the expectation of significant impact on identifiable writing skills appropriate to work within the discipline?

 ·        Can the likelihood of success be predicted? 

 ·        What criteria would indicate that the pilot project had a positive impact? 

The application deadline is Monday, June 17, 2002.  Awards will be announced in early-July, with funding available in July 2002.  An application form appears below. 

Questions may be directed to Michele Dotson (X40097 or mdotson@ucsd.edu).

Mark Appelbaum
Associate Vice Chancellor
Undergraduate Education