CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, LONG BEACH
POLICY STATEMENT
NUMBER: 79-11
FILE: English
SUBJECT: WRITING PROFICIENCY
The following policy statement, recommended by the Academic Senate
at its meeting of November 2, 1978, and approved by the President
on December 13,1978, is as follows:
Demonstration of Writing Skills Competency as a Requirement for
Graduation:
1. To qualify for-the baccalaureate, each student must be certified
proficient in written composition in English. Proficiency must be
demonstrated by passing an approved certification examination required
by the major department or school or by passing the general University
examination. The responsibility for developing the skills necessary
to pass the examination is the student's.
2. Every baccalaureate candidate should take the examination during
the first semester of the junior year. The examination may be retaken
as many times as necessary, but no more than once a semester or
three times a year (including the Summer Session.)
3. The University Committee on Writing Proficiency shall have the
responsibility of approving examinations to be used to demonstrate
writing proficiency, of overseeing the administration and grading
of the examinations, and of certifying to the Records Office that
a student has met this graduation requirement.
4. To cover the costs of administration and scoring, a fee of $10
will be charged each time a student takes the examination.
Implementing Procedure
1. Establish a University Committee on Writing Proficiency
(See Structure and Charge.)
2. Schools, departments, and disciplines may align themselves
for the purpose of selecting or developing writing proficiency examinations
in English composition which are relevant to the subject matter
and unique writing needs of their majors. In doing this, they should
consult with members of the community, specifically those in occupations
in which graduates may be employed, to determine needed writing
skills. Disciplines may establish standards for their students which
are in addition to the general university standards, but they may
not detract from or lower them.
3. Examinations used by the disciplines shall be graded by
faculty members from those disciplines. Faculty members from all
other disciplines shall be responsible for grading the general university
examination. Grading of all examinations shall be under the supervision
of University Committee on Writing Proficiency. Each School shall
designate faculty members each semester for grading of the general
university examination, the number to be determined by the University
Committee.
4. Faculty members assigned to assist in grading examinations shall
be selected by the school deans in consultation with the department
chairs.
5. The disciplines shall counsel students about ways to develop
the necessary writing skills, including:
a. Enrolling in regular university courses in writing on
a voluntary basis;
b. enrolling in courses in his/her major field which develop
writing skills;
c. enrolling in special courses offered through Continuing
Education .
d. getting tutorial help from student organizations which
provide assistance;
e. securing tutorial help from the Learning Assistance Center;
f. enrolling in writing courses in a community college
Effective: Fall,1979
DEG:bjp 3/30/79
Structure and Charge: The University Committee on Writing Proficiency
Change to Addendum to Policy Statement 79-11 (recommended by the
Academic Senate, 11/2/1978; approved by the President, 12/13/78)
CHARGE:
1. To establish a university level of writing proficiency applicable
for all disciplines.
2. To approve the training process of faculty from the respective
disciplines in the scoring of essay examinations consistent with
the established university level of writing proficiency.
3. To certify to the Records Office that a student has met
the writing proficiency requirement.
4. To determine the fee necessarily charged each student in order
to cover the costs of administering and scoring, and to recommend
the level of fees and the policy for waiving of fees.
5. To establish a waiver policy and to establish policies and procedures
for accepting certification credit for students form colleges and
universities outside the CSUC system.
MEMBERSHIP:
The Committee shall consist of 17 members:
One representative from each College to be selected by the College
WPE Coordinator/Advisor
Director of the Learning Assistance Center
Coordinator of WPE Preparation and Review Program
Director of Disabled Student Services
Director of Center for International Education
Chair of the WPE Test Development Committee
PEP Council representative
Associated Students representative
Test and Evaluation Services Director
Admissions and Records representative
OFFICERS:
The WPE Coordinator shall serve as Chair. The Committee shall elect
a secretary yearly.
MEETINGS:
The Committee shall meet as necessary upon the call of the Chair.
MINUTES, REPORTS, RESOLUTIONS
Reports to: Planning and Educational Policies Council, Vice President
for Academic Affairs
PETITION PROCESS FOR SPECIAL-CIRCUMSTANCES WAIVER OF THE WRITING
PROFICIEICY EXAMINATION REQUIREMENT
All waiver petitions must be initiated at the Office of the School
Dean.
Under very special circumstances, students who have not passed
the WPE may apply for a waiver if they have met ALL of the following
qualifications and completed ALL procedures.
QUALIFICATIONS (ALL MUST BE MET)
1. The student must have successfully completed all applicable
writing course requirements, with grades of C or better;
2. The student must have taken the WPE at least three times;
3. The student must present written explanation and documentation
of special circumstances that warrant consideration of the petition;
4. The student must have a letter from the undergraduate or graduate
advisor of the department recommending consideration of the petition;
5. The student must have scored at least 9 (previous score of 13)
on the essay portion of the exanimation and 146 (equivalent to 87
% of the passing score) on the multiple choice portion.
PROCEDURES (ALL MUST BE COMPLETED)
1. The student must present to the Office of the Academic Affairs
a packet of evidence including the following:
a. a completed petition.
b. Xerox copies of all WPE score reports
c. a current transcript
d. a letter from the undergraduate or graduate advisor
e. a written recommendation from the School Dean (or designee)
f. a written explanation of special circumstances that apply to
the case (for example, documented illness, emigration, learning
disability, etc.)
g. non-immigrant international students must supply a letter from
International Student Services verifying their status
An appeals committee composed of three members of the WPE Advisory
Committee will meet regularly to rule on petitions and (to advise
the Office of Academic Affairs of their decision. The student will
be notified of the disposition of the petition by the Office of
Academic Affairs. The decision of the Office of Academic Affairs
is final.
Effective: November 15, 1987
NOTE: School of Business Administration majors or pre-business
majors are advised to consult with an advisor at the SBA Admissions
and Advising Center (SBA Room 8) prior to completing the attached
from.
BA/ehh
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