Writing Matters
UWC Welcomes Two New Administrators
Assistant Director Steve Kaminczak.
Web Designer Stephanie Leary.
The UWC is pleased to announce the addition of two key staff members: Steve Kaminczak has signed on as the UWC’s assistant director and Stephanie Leary is the writing center’s first full-time Web designer.
Kaminczak was previously the assistant director for the writing center at Sam Houston State University. At the UWC, he’ll have a variety of administrative duties, including overseeing the schedule, and he’ll work closely with consultants as a team leader. (more…)
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In their own words: how faculty can foster academic integrity
If you teach writing, you’re going to confront plagiarism: it’s that simple. But there are steps you can—and should—take to discourage it, actions that are far less time-consuming and far more pleasant than dealing with a suspected case.
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Faculty Spotlight
Pat Wiese, assistant clinical professor in the Department of Teaching, Learning, and Culture, knows that teachers can have a lasting impact on their students—and in terms of their writing advice, that’s not always a good thing.
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UWC joins teaching effort
This summer the University Writing Center joined with several other campus entities to create the Teaching & Learning Cooperative (TLC). The group’s members include many of the university’s academic support organizations, now uniting to help faculty across campus deliver first-rate instruction.
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UWC staff and consultants attend tutoring conferences
In October, UWC Executive Director Valerie Balester took a group of 15 undergraduate and graduate consultants and administrative staff to the National Conference on Peer Tutoring in Writing, held at Penn State University.
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Appointments now open to grad students
As of this fall, graduate students are welcome to make appointments for consultations at the UWC. Previously, appointments were available only to undergraduates, since their fees funded the center’s operation, while grad students were seen only as walk-ins.
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UWC Director Presented AFS Award
This fall UWC Executive Director Valerie Balester received the Association of Former Students College-Level Distinguished Award in Teaching.
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New classroom workshops available
The UWC’s popular Classroom Workshop series for W courses has expanded to include two new offerings: peer review and correspondence.
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Many W courses due for recertification
Many of the first W courses approved will soon be up for recertification. The recertification process ensures that all W courses meet the standards set forth by the Faculty Senate. Dr. Valerie Balester, who chairs the W Course Advisory Committee, says many courses will have changed in the four years since they were first approved.
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From the Director
UWC Executive Director Valerie Balester advises faculty to view online services such as Turnitin.com as just one component of a larger plan to discourage plagiarism.
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Online and on point: Teaching with blogs and wikis
Although students spend more and more time online, not all are truly tech savvy. Before using a blog or wiki, assess how comfortable your students are with the technology required.
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Want writing help? Download it.
Downloading is the latest way for both students and faculty to get information from the University Writing Center (UWC), which now offers two writing- oriented podcast series, as well as customized podcasts for individual W courses.
