WPA 2005
Writing as Writing Program Administrators
Anchorage, Alaska
Council of Writing Program Administrators
Summer Workshop, Institute, and Conference
July 3-10
Conference Website: http://moose.uaa.alaska.edu/wpa2005/
Conference Theme and Program
Several months ago, a fellow WPA remarked that she was looking forward to an upcoming leave from administrative work because she would have “time for writing.” Though we understand what she was saying, it’s an oddly ironic or paradoxical, if not nonsensical, statement. If a writing program administrator doesn't have time for writing, who does? As writing program administrators, we spend, it may seem, nearly every waking moment at our keyboards or with pen in hand. We can understand what our fellow WPA was saying because we find ourselves in an academic culture that has a sometimes very limited notion of what “counts” as writing. Despite what we know about multiple genres of writing in diverse rhetorical situations, when it comes to our own writing, we may fail to appreciate just how much of it we do, how intellectually demanding it is, or what’s at stake in our choices of when, what, and to whom to write as writing program administrators.
At the University of Alaska Anchorage in July 2005, plenary speakers, mini-workshops leaders and participants, and concurrent session speakers will be focusing on developing our understanding of the genres and purposes of writing we do as writing program administrators, addressing topics such as
- writing with, for, and about the writing programs WPAs lead;
- writing about the work of writing program administration;
- writing research and scholarship that is informed by their work as WPAs;
- writing with and for other WPAs; and other issues of shared interest and concern to WPAs in programs for first-year composition, professional writing, writing centers, and writing across the curriculum.
Special Program Features
In addition to plenary speakers and concurrent sessions addressing the conference theme, the program will offer two special features. Back by popular demand, small-group breakout discussion sessions will follow plenary talks, giving us a chance to keep the conversation going. New this year, a series of professional development mini-workshops on writing as a writing program administrator will be presented by experienced WPAs. These mini-workshops will offered on Thursday and Friday in the same time slots as concurrent sessions. Planned workshop topics include
- Writing effective program documents, memos, and reports;
- Developing program-based inquiry into published scholarship;
- Developing a writing program website; Documenting the intellectual work of writing program administration, building a tenure/promotion case;
- Making time to write: managing ideas, choosing priorities, sustaining reflection;
Be sure to point out these professional development opportunities to your department chair or dean when you request funding! Though there will be no additional charge for attending these mini-workshops, participants will be asked to sign-up several months in advance to enable planning for space and materials. Additional details, including names of mini-workshop leaders and outlines of content will be provided when complete information about conference registration is available at http://moose.uaa.alaska.edu/wpa2005/
Call for Proposals
Proposals addressing the conference theme or other issues of interest to WPAs are invited for concurrent sessions, including (1) full panels involving several speakers addressing related topics, (2) individual presentations to be grouped together by the program committee, and (3) roundtables on a single topic. Proposals for multimedia presentations, poster presentations, or other presentation formats are encouraged.
Review of proposals will begin October 15, 2004 and will continue until the program is complete. Successful proposals will be acknowledged at the earliest possible date. Proposals may be submitted at http://moose.uaa.alaska.edu/wpa2005/
Planning Information
Conference: Official activities begin Thursday evening, July 7, at 5:30 PM with a welcome reception/orientation and conclude Sunday, July 10, at 10:00 AM after the Town Hall Meeting. Local organizers of the conference, Trish Jenkins and Jeff White (University of Alaska – Anchorage) will coordinate Workshop: Workshop participants gather Sunday afternoon, July 3, and meet all day every day through Thursday morning, July 7. Workshop leaders Irwin (Bud) Weiser (Purdue University) and Lauren Fitzgerald (Yeshiva University) will also be available for one-to-one consultations in the evenings. Assessment
Institute: The day-long institute will be held on Thursday, July 7, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Lunch included.
Costs (for planning purposes only):
- Housing (confirmed price): $25-35 per person/per night Airfare (estimate): $200-600 roundtrip depending upon origin of flight and date of booking
- Conference Registration (estimate):$200 (includes 6 meals)—may be lower
- Workshop Registration (estimate): $700 (includes 10 meals and 4 nights housing)
- Assessment Institute Registration (estimate): $125 (includes lunch)
For detailed up-to-date information about the conference, visit the conference website at http://moose.uaa.alaska.edu/wpa2005/
Conference Program Co-Chairs: Chris Anson, CWPA President, and Shirley Rose, Vice-President; Local Chairs: Trish Jenkins and Jeff White