Thanks for bringing this to our attentions!
A PW Alumni organization is a great idea! I know so many former PW-ers who would LOVE to stay connected! And anything with the word "alumni" gains double clout with administrator types.
You are definitely right that more faculty is a long shot. I like the idea of a visiting scholar because it looks good from a PR/Admin perspective which means more willingness to spend money on it. My only concern, and it is a pretty small one considering we already have two fabulous professors, is finding the people with the clout that also adhere to the practical writing approach that PW emphasizes. We would definitely need to focus on bringing in true "Professional Writers" so that the quality of instruction is still based in technique rather than style.
But that's all moot unless we get more MONEY! :)
I'll be drafting a letter this evening hopefully.
What about resources? Its been awhile since I was in undergrad PW courses so I feel a bit out of the loop. I would like to expand our library to include books on writing, books used in category fiction, etc. Or perhaps a library geared towards books specifically about writing. The PW program could also use a bit of marketing. Its one of only three or four of its kind in the nation and that means students would be willing to come from all over for this program if they knew it existed. I was ready to move back east to go to school until I discovered the program. Most OU students don't even know what it is. And if there's an increase in enrollment, then university support could follow.
Anyway, those are a few thoughts on the subject. I hope everyone will be writing or calling the Dean to let him know that we count too!
Happy writing!
Liz Kiser
Volunteer Center Coordinator
University of Central Oklahoma
100 North University Drive, Box 112
Edmond, Oklahoma 73034
(405)-974-2621
Fax: (405)-974-3810
----- Original Message -----
From: William Prescott <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Thursday, November 17, 2005 10:33 am
Subject: Re: [PWA-L] PLEASE READ - Item for Meeting agenda
> Susan,
>
> Thanks for writing back. I agree that the number 1
> priority is more faculty, and I want to push for that.
> But, realistically, that is the longest shot. It
> requires clearing a lot of burecratic red tape, yada,
> yada. I think a temporary solution would be to push
> for a designated slot for visiting scholars. Every
> year, OU recruits visiting professors who stay for a
> year at a time. Until additonal faculty are hired, PW
> should have preference.
>
> Also, alumni like you are useful on many levels. I
> want to organize some resource or discussion between
> alumni and current students. I want to write, but I do
> not know how to break in.
>
> Finally, please spread the work to any of your former
> classmates. It is too late for you to benefit from any
> changes, just like it will be for me, but it is to our
> advantage to increase the rep of our school.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Will Prescott
>
> --- Susan Brown <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
> > That's crazy! Might as well say that all the
> > Professional Writing students
> > need is a pencil and yellow legal pad. Since I'm no
> > longer a student I
> > can't really say anything, but I hope someone
> > mentions the lack of faculty.
> > Dr. Chester and Dr. Davis are terrific, but they
> > have lots of terretory to
> > cover with just the two of them. When I enrolled, I
> > was surprised to find
> > that there were no magazine writing classes
> > available on the grad level.
> > That's a whole different field of writing. It's a
> > great place to get a foot
> > in the door, too. Speaking from experience, I can
> > tell you that it is lots
> > easier to get a publish in a magazine than it is to
> > get a whole book written
> > and published. I've sold hundreds of articles and my
> > words have gone around
> > the world. If I can do it, the rest of you can, too.
> > It's fun and profitable
> > and validates you as a "real" writer. Wouldn't you
> > like a Freelance Writing
> > class that teaches you how to write for publication
> > -- and get your work
> > into the hands of an editor? Think about learning
> > travel writing, how-to
> > articles, inspirational articles, short humor,
> > features, interview articles,
> > opinion pieces, etc. -- and seeing them in print.
> > Ask them to fork over a
> > few of those dollars to hire someone to teach it! I
> > think your idea of
> > organizing to gain a little clout is a good one.
> > Susan Brown
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "William Prescott" <[log in to unmask]>
> > To: <[log in to unmask]>
> > Sent: Wednesday, November 16, 2005 2:26 PM
> > Subject: [PWA-L] PLEASE READ - Item for Meeting
> > agenda
> >
> >
> > > Last night, Dean Foote came to talk to my
> > Conceptual
> > > Issues class.
> > >
> > > In short, Gaylord College has secured $15 million
> > > dollars in funding to improve the college.
> > Decisions
> > > are being made now on how to spend it.
> > >
> > > I asked last night and was told me that the
> > > Professional Writing program is allotted a grand
> > total
> > > of $0.
> > >
> > > The people making decisions know nothing about the
> > > program. Comments were made that Professional
> > Writing
> > > students do not need anything; just space to
> > write.
> > >
> > > To Do:
> > >
> > > 1. Make a wishlist of resources (books,
> > periodicals,
> > > software, rooms for writing groups to meet, and
> > > ****additional faculty)
> > >
> > > 2. Do what writers do.... WRITE! Write a letter to
> > > Dean Foote describing the overcrowding in class,
> > the
> > > lack of faculty, and the lack of resources.
> > >
> > > 3. Organize. Let's figure out some way to organize
> > and
> > > actually have input into how these important
> > decisions
> > > are made.
> > >
> > > See you Thursday,
> > >
> > > Will
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > --- Richard Adkins <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> > >
> > > > The next meeting for the PWA will be this
> > thursday
> > > > (November 17) at 8:00 at
> > > > Hastings on Main Street in Norman.
> > > >
> > > > Bring your writing concerns, questions and
> > advice
> > > > for your fellow writers!
> > > >
> > > > Rick
> > > >
> > > > --
> > > >
> > > > When they discover the center of the universe,
> > > > a lot of people will be disappointed to discover
> > > > they are not it. - Bernard
> > > > Bailey
> > > >
> > > > Richard Adkins
> > > > http://adkins.8k.com
> > > > [log in to unmask]
> > > > [log in to unmask]
> > > > [log in to unmask]
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > > William D. Prescott
> > >
> > > University of Oklahoma
> > >
> > > office no. 405-325-2710
> > >
> > > [log in to unmask]
> > >
> >
>
>
> William D. Prescott
>
> University of Oklahoma
>
> office no. 405-325-2710
>
> [log in to unmask]
>
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