At the Board of Trustees’ Aug. 30 meeting, Provost John Heilman updated the Academic Affairs committee on an initiative he first presented at the June board meeting.
“What is particularly important about writing … is that it’s through writing that students gain skills in critical argument,” Heilman said at Thursday’s meeting.
Since the June board meeting, University officials have looked at writing programs at other schools, including Cornell University, Purdue University, Illinois State University, UC Davis and UC Santa Barbara.
Visits were made to the University of Denver and Duke University, and Heilman said they will also visit Rutgers University.
In his report, Heilman said to improve writing skills, students need to write in all disciplines.
Faculty involvement and small writing classes are also key to the success of a program, he said.
“I think faculty will very much buy into this,” said Rich Penaskovic, immediate past chair of University Senate.
The University has decided to hire Joseph Harris, the director of the writing program at Duke, as a consultant. Harris will visit campus Sept. 14 to meet with faculty, students and administrators.
By the end of the semester, Heilman plans to have a prospectus on the new program ready.
Academic Affairs chair John Miller said writing is crucial to improving Auburn’s ranking in U.S News and World Report.
“We’re number 96 in U.S. News and World Report. That’s pitiful,” Miller said. “How do we get to number 95, number 94 and up the ladder? Writing is one of those ways.”
Miller also said a writing program could improve recruiting at Auburn.
“If we do this, we’ll be the only game in town,” he said. “This is very, very important, and it gives us the opportunity for a grand slam.”
During Thursday’s committee meetings, the Property and Facilities committee decided to move forward with plans for a 20,000 square foot dining facility at The Village, Auburn’s West Campus housing project.
Architectural firm Williams - Blackstock Architects and construction company Hoar Program Management will handle the design of the new facility.
The board also establied a $5 million budget for food venues in the new student center. Food venues to be included in the new center are Chick-fil-a; Starbucks; Coyote Jack’s, a burger joint; Jow Jing, a chinese and asian food venue; Mamma Leone’s, a pasta, pizza and salad bar; Outtakes, a combination of a fresh food market and convenience store; and Au Bon Pain, a bakery cafe.
During Friday’s full board meeting, President Jay Gogue gave his first report to the board. In his brief report, Gogue said he will not fill the position of chief of staff.
He also said the University has begun a national search to find a vice president for research and a dean of the graduate school.
- Kevin Saucier contributed to this article.
