07/25/2026

CWPA Statement to Members about CCCC

Dear CWPA Members:

CWPA gathered July 22-25th at its annual Conference at the University of Wyoming as a means to honor the 40th anniversary of the Wyoming Resolution and its influence on our work as writing and rhetoric teachers, scholars, and administrators. Attendees could not have anticipated the Executive Committee of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) would vote to “de-charter” the Conference on College Composition and Communication (CCCC), a professional community with a 77-year history, announcing its decision about the conference on July 24, 2026. CCCC has for decades offered resources--guiding principles, position statements, conferences, awards, and grants--to support writing teachers and administrators in higher education.  

The CWPA Town Hall conference event, with virtual participation from two (one current and one past) CCCC officers, made clear the labor of sustaining our professional communities, and we were reminded of our shared visions, and the role we collectively play in advancing and sustaining writing and rhetoric as a field. The July 24, 2026 NCTE Executive Committee statement on CCCC is troubling for many reasons. CCCC has long been an intellectual home for members to shape the field's scholarly and pedagogical values. 

Professional groups like CCCC and CWPA have been collective voices that provide disciplinary identity and a sense of belonging. What we know is that college writing teachers, scholars, administrators, and students need space to share diverse perspectives and engage in meaningful conversations. CCCC has helped move literacy work forward and has been a consistent space for advocating for writing programs and writing program administrators. 

CWPA stands in solidarity with CCCC members. As writing studies navigates this period of uncertainty, we recognize that decisions affecting the future of our disciplinary organizations should be transparent and participatory. Changes of this magnitude deserve open dialogue among their members prior to a final decision being made. Writing and literacy studies are sustained by inclusive discussion. 

Although we don’t know what the future holds for our field, we do know that we are stronger when we stand in community with each other.

Sent on behalf of the CWPA

Approved by the CWPA Leadership

David Green, President

Darci Thoune, Vice President

Erin Lehman, Immediate Past President