November 2009

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Dr. R. Bowen Loftin, Texas A&M University’s interim president, will present the awards on December 1.

“It’s hard to imagine anyone deserving this recognition more than Candace,” says UWC Executive Director Valerie Balester, who nominated Schaefer for the award. “She approaches every aspect of her job with unlimited energy, compassion, high standards, and a positive attitude. She’s made the writing center a better place, while never forgetting that people come first.”

Schaefer has worked with college students for 25 years in a variety of settings. Prior to joining the UWC in 2006, she served as the assistant director for Instructional Technology Services at Texas A&M.  Currently working to complete her Ph.D. in higher education administration, Schaefer is researching the faculty perspective on academic dishonesty and has conducted faculty workshops on the topic.

“I’m flattered to be recognized in this way” says Schaefer, “but while this award may have my name on it, I know it reflects the dedication and hard work of the entire UWC team.”

This has been a banner year for Schaefer, who was also selected as a 2009 Fish Camp Namesake. Congratulations, Candace!

– Cormac McCarthy

Expiration Date: 1/1/12

• Proposal
• Syllabus

Katheryn Dietrich
5-9223
kdietrich@tamu.edu

We recommend that SOCI 430, Contemporary Sociological Theory, be certified as a writing-intensive (W) course for the next four academic years (9/08 to 9/12).  We have reviewed the syllabus and have determined that the course meets or exceeds the following criteria:

1. Percentage of final grade based on writing quality: 33%
2. Course content appropriate to the major
3. Total number of words: 4000+
4. Instructor to student ratio for one section: 1:25

The papers are returned online to the student with written feedback on two dimensions of their writing: (1) substantive theoretical analysis—i.e., their use of the theories to explain the contemporary social phenomena described in an assigned article, and (2) technical elements of writing, such as organization of the paper and grammar. The students are asked to correct their errors and resubmit the paper to the instructor for a final grading.
One class period in the semester is devoted to technical writing instruction. The students are encouraged to visit the instructor or the Writing Center to get one-on-one help to correct their papers. The instructor also periodically devotes class time to go over common writing errors students continue to make.

No significant changes have been made since original certification was granted.

I’ve struggled for weeks now on what to submit for Stand and Deliver.  It’s not a lack of material holding me back—I was an English major in college.  It’s also not a lack of ideas to write about.  Ask any of my co-workers; I’m not afraid to tell you what I think.  The more I really think about it, the more I realize that I’m hesitant to submit my writing because it could invade my privacy. 

 I’ve always viewed the act of writing as a very intimate process, regardless of the content.  When you read somebody’s written work, you’re getting a front row view into their mind and the way it works.  If you pay attention, you can recognize their thought processes, their personality type, their strengths, weaknesses, and even fears.  I have always admired the courage it takes to ask a total stranger to criticize your work.  Think about how vulnerable you become when you hand over your paper or even read it out loud to someone.  Your hard work, your passion, your whole self could be tied up in that work and you’re just going to hand it over to a stranger? 

 I’ve noticed that there are certain situations in which I feel comfortable being vulnerable and others where I’m not.  In relationships, for example, I’ve never been uncomfortable “putting myself out there.”  I’ve never had a problem being the first person in the relationship to lay everything out in the open as a gesture of friendship, trust, and love.  However, when I think about writing a book or publishing material, my palms get sweaty, my heart races, and I recoil into my safe little cave.  That’s an exaggeration, but you get the point. 

 I think what it really comes down to is that I’m afraid to write something, make it public, and then not be there to defend it or myself.  When I put myself out there in a relationship, I can be there to defend myself, to protect myself.  If I write something serious and with deep contemplation then send it out all by itself, who will protect it—who will protect my self-esteem? 

 The good news is I’m ok with this.  I have no qualms about feeling this way.  I’m perfectly happy to continue my life without attempting to write a book or publish an article, which is how I know I will never be a scholar.  I’m ok with that too.

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