Writing Requirement

Background

With the adoption of the new general education program, effective with the 2016-2017 academic catalogs, the Writing Requirement as it exists in the General Education Curriculum (GEC) has been rescinded. In its place, each college or school must determine writing and communication skills requirements.

Implementation

In September 2014, the General Education Curriculum Oversight (GECO) Committee, with approval from the Faculty Senate, determined that:

Existing Writing courses (with the W designation) will remain as long as necessary to meet student needs for degree completion.
The GECO Committee will suspend all Writing Audits beginning in August 2014.
No new Writing course proposals will be accepted by the GECO Committee beginning in August 2014.

Guidelines for Colleges in Establishing new Writing and Communication Skills Requirements

Colleges/schools must have advising plans in place that take into account the new general education program by March of 2016 to be able to advise students during the registration period.
New writing and communication skills requirements should be appropriate to the discipline and should satisfy any disciplinary accreditation requirements.
Colleges/schools and academic units may elect to deliver their writing and communication education in more than a single course.
Unlike the GEC Writing Courses, courses that satisfy the new writing and communication skills requirements will not be notated on the student’s official transcript.
Transferability of writing and communication skill requirements between majors and colleges is at the discretion of the college/school or academic unit.
Students pursuing double majors or dual degrees may be obliged to satisfy the writing and communication skills requirements of both majors/degrees at the discretion of the college/school or academic unit.
Colleges/schools must clearly distinguish in the 2016-2017 catalog how the writing and communication skills requirements are fulfilled in their curriculum requirements.