Council of Writing Program Administrators

Call for Proposals WPA Institutional Home

The Council of Writing Program Administrators (WPA) invites proposals from colleges and universities wishing to serve as the organization’s institutional home. WPA will negotiate the beginning date with the successful institution but hopes the start will be no later than fall 2006. The agreement will be for three years, with the option of continued renewals with the consent of both parties.

Basic Responsibilities of the WPA Institutional Home 1. Maintain an archive of WPA records, including publications, minutes, programs, correspondence, historical accounts, financial histories, and other materials related to the Council of Writing Program Administrators. The archive should be organized and secure, yet accessible to scholars and WPA members who articulate legitimate needs for access to them.

2. Provide the function of WPA Secretary, including maintaining current and historical membership records (which include current contact information and membership status). The WPA Institutional Home is also responsible for answering e-mail, telephone, or written queries about the organization and for referring individuals to appropriate contact persons.

3. Provide the function of WPA Treasurer, including collecting, depositing, investing, and keeping secure membership dues and other income; paying bills as authorized by the Officers of WPA; keeping accurate financial records; and providing regular reports.

4. Designate an individual with professional expertise in writing program administration to serve as Secretary/Treasurer. The Secretary/Treasurer is an ex officio member of the WPA Executive Board and must attend two meetings of the Board each year. Therefore, he or she should have support sufficient to cover the costs of attendance, as well as support to perform his or her roles adequately. Support may take the form of clerical/graduate/student worker assistance; reassigned time; space; compensation; or the like. Note: the offices of Secretary/Treasurer may be divided among two individuals.

Additional, but Optional, Responsibilities

WPA welcomes proposals that address one or more of the following potential roles. These functions are currently performed somewhere other than the institutional home. While that may continue to be the best arrangement, the WPA Board would like to consider options.

1. Maintain a Web presence for the Council of Writing Program Administrators (currently at www.wpacouncil.org).

2. Coordinate design, printing, and distribution of the organization’s journal, WPA: Writing Program Administration, and other potential publications.

3. Host an occasional WPA summer meeting.

To Apply

Send (1) a detailed proposal that articulates the institution’s ability to perform the Basic Responsibilities as described above (and any optional roles the institution may wish to address); (2) the CV of the person(s) to be designated as Secretary/Treasurer, along with the CVs of any other professionals who may contribute to the effort; (3) a letter of endorsement from the administrator(s) (chair, dean, vice-president) with the authority to describe and confirm institutional support.

Send Proposals by 3 March 2006, to Doug Hesse, Chair Search Committee for WPA Institutional Home 6100 Honors Program Illinois State University Normal, IL 61790-6100

Proposals sent as e-email attachment are welcome. Send to ddhesse@ilstu.edu.

See link below for a copy of this proposal in pdf format.