The 1997 ACA Culpeper-funded "Communicating in the 21st Century: Writing Across the Curriculum at Private Colleges of the Mountains" began with the belief that writing and technology are integral to all disciplines, particularly those in the arts and sciences areas supported by the Mellon project.  Since 1997, we have been actively involved with private colleges in the Appalachian region.  In our newest phase of the project, we are committed to helping writing program personnel and faculty members learn more about writing as a way of learning and communicating.

What are the aims of the Institute?
The primary goal is to support the expansion of the role of writing centers to include a writing focus in all disciplines. To accomplish this goal, plans are to train writing program administrators (WPA’s) from the University of Charleston, Milligan, Carson-Newman, and Emory and Henry to work with faculty, especially those outside the humanities. This core group along with four faculty members and four administrators participated in the Knight Institute for Writing in the Disciplines at Cornell University in 2001 and will return in 2002.  The Knight Institute is hosted and conducted by faculty who participate in Cornell’s writing in the disciplines (WID) program.   The Knight Institute and the ACA covered all expenses and the ACA plans to cover all expenses in 2002.  Plans are also to train faculty by:
 

1. Developing and training a pool of WID faculty consultants during the 2002 and 2003 ACA Summer Writing Institutes.  This faculty and WPA group will work with colleagues and workshop facilitators to design communication-intensive experiences that meet course outcomes and objectives and promote greater engagement and learning of course content. 
2.  Inviting project schools to send their writing program administrators and two faculty members from disciplines outside the humanities to this training institute. Together, the WPA’s and the faculty will provide the foundation for training other writing in the disciplines faculty. 
3. Providing training for other writing in the disciplines faculty during ongoing workshops at the ACA schools. 

Who are the sponsors?
The project received approximately $453,000 from the Culpeper Foundation to initiate efforts and is continuing on an ACA-Mellon support grant of approximately $197,000.  These latter funds from Mellon will sustain the project into the year 2003.

When will the Institute begin and will it continue?
The Institute began in May 2002 (May 14-16) and is scheduled to be held again from May 28-30, 2003. Our goal is to seek funds to make it an ongoing part of the ACA Writing Across the Curriculum activities.

Who can participate?
Writing program administrators and faculty (preferably faculty outside the humanities who did not participate in the first Institute) from all of the following institutions: Alice Lloyd, Berea, Bluefield, Bryan, Carson-Newman, Cumberland, Davis and Elkins, Emory and Henry, King, Lees-McRae, Lincoln Memorial, Mars Hill, Milligan, Montreat, Ohio Valley, Pikeville, Tusculum, Union, University of Charleston, Virginia Intermont and WV Wesleyan.

Who pays for what?
Each participating institution is expected to pay travel expenses for its writing program administrator and the two faculty who attend the Summer Institute at the University of Charleston. The Institute will cover expenses for registration, materials, lodging, and meals. In addition, the Institute will provide a $200. stipend to participants who attend all Institute activities, and provide a follow-up WAC activity (e.g. a workshop/presentation at their respective school or during the 2003 WAC strand of the Tech Summit). Each participant is expected to cover the cost of incidentals.

What is expected of participants for the Institute?
Prior to the Institute, each participant will receive a packet of information to read in preparation for the workshop. Activities at the workshop will be based on the advanced materials received. Participants may also be asked to send or bring certain items (e.g. course syllabus, assignments, etc.).

Who will facilitate?

In May 2003, Dr. Jonathan Monroe will deliver the opening keynote address, and our guest workshop facilitator will be Dr. James Slevin from Georgetown University.  Other workshop facilitators are Dr. Sati Maharaj from the University of Charleston, Prof. Charlene Kiser from Milligan College, Dr. Felicia Mitchell from Emory and Henry College and Dr. Ellen Millsaps from Carson-Newman College.

What will be expected of participants once they've attended the Institute?
Each participant is expected to provide a follow-up workshop/presentation at their respective school or during the WAC strand of the 2003 ACA Technology Summit. Participants will receive $150. for participating in all Institute activities scheduled for May 28-30, 2003.  The remaining $50. check will be issued when the WAC project director has received documentation (e.g. program, handout, etc.) that a workshop or presentation has been conducted. 

The writing program administrators and faculty in the disciplines who participate in the Summer Institute will plan ongoing WAC activities at their respective schools during the fall and spring semesters. Funds are available to provide partial support (e.g. refreshments, materials, etc.) for these activities. Schools located in close proximity may want to collaborate on such workshops.

Cancellation Policy

To avoid being billed for lodging, registration and meals, all cancellations must be received by Monday May 19.  Participants who cancel after the deadline will be billed for the cost of lodging, registration, and meals.  Email all cancellations to satimb@acaweb.org

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