As part of the Inkshed 2015 conference, I would like to issue a broad call
for volunteers to contribute (words, comments, ideas, support of all kinds)
to the following document:
*Draft Position Statement on Writing Centres*
This document will be a statement we would like to bring to the academic
writing-related associations in Canada (CWCA, CASLL/Inkshed, CASDW, ACWCA,
CAWS, WSSO) for input and, eventually, approval. I hope that this will be a
concise statement of principles that we all, more or less, agree on. It is
my experience that some kind of authoritative statement would be useful in
administrative decision-making.
The reason or motivation for working on this document comes from the recent
(2014) closing of the University of the Fraser Valley writing centre and
the move of the University of Calgary writing centre into student services
(2012?). The dismissal of Boba Samuels, director of the writing centre at
Wilfrid Laurier, pointed to the problematic classification and hiring of
academics (writing specialists) into non-academic positions (management)
where they are not protected by union membership or as academics. We need
to proactively and clearly announce and publicize how we feel writing
specialists of all kinds should be treated as employees, beginning with a
statement of principles. Let's begin working on this now, with a draft of
this document.
___________
If you are interested in helping to write this document or in offering
comments on it, email [log in to unmask] and let me know.
I'll add you to the website so that you can read and comment on the
document as it evolves. If you can attend the one-day in-person part of the
conference (details here:
http://www.inkshed.ca/blog/conferences/inkshed-31-call-for-proposals-due-may-4/),
that would be great. But even if you can't, I would value your
participation and comments.
Best,
Roger Graves
--
*Roger Graves*
Director, Writing Across the Curriculum
Interim Director, Centre for Teaching and Learning
University of Alberta
5-02 Cameron
Edmonton, AB T6G 2C8
University of Alberta
www.ualberta.ca/~graves1
(780) 492-4704
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