MWP Committees

Committee Overview

 
 
Committees within the Merritt Writing Program interact and share responsibilities in evolving ways. Nevertheless, they can be organized into a general framework, to clarify responsibilities and give MWP members a better understanding of extracurricular duties and opportunities.
 
Our three major committees consist of Curriculum, Personnel, and Planning. Within each are important subcommittees which full-time faculty are encouraged, but not required, to join. Often, committees will have clearly defined objectives (e.g., coordinating the diagnostics in the Assessment subcommittee; hiring new faculty in Personnel). Occasionally, subcommittees will need to define and shape themselves (e.g., Beyond participating in the accreditation process, the course-specific Curriculum subcommittees have room to evolve and enhance teaching and learning for their respective courses).
 
 
The Curriculum Committee, Chaired by Associate Director Anne Zanzucchi, identifies and makes available curriculum support resources, such as model texts, sample syllabi (including establishing clear language for classroom policies and procedures), sample assignments and essay prompts (within course- or track-specific subcommittee). Moreover, this committee develops and maintains Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) that adhere to WASC requirements for accreditation. Curriculum Subcommittees include the following:
 
  • Assessment: Coordinate AWPE diagnostic exams; Review student portfolios; and Collect long-term data for Academic Review.
  • Online Initiative: Promote and support effective online initiatives as well as implement appropriate assessment of those initiatives. Review and advise on related policies and procedures (syllabi, instructor training, web-based textbooks, writing tools, and online course evaluation tools).
  • WRI 1/10: Review syllabi for WASC and Academic Program Review; Collaborate with library on iPod TouchTour and other services
  • WRI 100s (Core 100 equivalents): Reviews syllabi for WASC and Academic Program Review; Discuss portfolio review process and Core 100 assessement.
  • Writing Minor: Evaluate the gateways to the minor, advising recommendations; Review course descriptions and learning outcomes for Professional Writing Track; Develop and pilot grading rubric for Creative Writing Track.
  • Graduate Student Outreach: Coordinate writing support for seniors seeking graduate school admission (in partnership with Career Services); Offer Graduate student writing workshops.
 
 
The Personnel Committee, Chaired by Assistant Director Tom Hothem, focuses primarily on faculty recruitment, retention, and professional development. Personnel subcommittees incldue the following:
 
  • New Hires: Evaluate applications, interview candidates, and hire new faculty. Most of the work occurs primarily in the Spring semester.
  • Academic Review: Evaluate teaching portfolios for third-year and Continuing Appointment (“post-six”) review. Most of the work occurs primarily during the Summer break.
  • Professional Development: Promote the scholarship of teaching and learning among MWP faculty.
 
 
The Planning Committee, Chaired by Director Robert Ochsner, is made up of MWP administration, subcommittee chairs, and anyone else with a significant interest in the shape and direction of the Merritt Writing Program. Subcommittees are organized around specific issues and meet on an ad hoc basis. As a whole, the committee's primary responsibilities include the following:
 
  • Discuss and ratify MWP-wide policies and procedures
  • With support from relevant Curriculum subcommittees, plan for major in writing
  • Create and support new committees and initiatives
  • Other relevant business

 

Workload

 
Workload varies by subcommittees.  The descriptions below highlight the primary responsibilities and other important details one should consider before signing up.  By virtue of your teaching assignments, everyone is a de facto member of a Curriculum subcommittee, e.g. WRI 1, WRI 10, insofar as we all participate in the accreditation process (our “committee of the whole”).  However, signing up for a subcommittee means you would like to contribute more directly to that committee’s business.  Committee work is a large component of the teaching portfolio required for continuing and “post-six” reappointment. It is strongly recommended that a full-time faculty serves on no more than two subcommittees.