CAS approves writing requirement

The College of Arts and Sciences has tentatively approved a long-awaited writing requirement which will be implemented within "two or three years," according to Associate Dean for the College Norman Adler. The requirement, which will not affect any present College students, will be fulfilled through the completion of a freshman seminar, two WATU classes, or one writing lab attached to a course. Adler said he does not expect the proposed requirement to be delayed by the vacancy in the School of Arts and Sciences dean's post, but added that the requirement must receive approval from the new SAS head. A writing requirement committee approved and implemented three writing labs in September and established the requirements in accordance with a 1988 faculty mandate to formulate a writing requirement. Faculty said they hope students will be able to articulate their ideas, adding that the requirement should bring the University one step closer to that ideal. Adler said he hopes to establish writing labs which will be connected to non-English classes. Adler stressed that the requirement is "not remedial," but an attempt to improve writing because "communication is the essence of being in a civilized society." English seminars, offered to freshmen, have been criticized by students since they are usually taught by graduate students who are less qualified than full professors, according to David Kaufman, president of the Student Committee on Undergraduate Education. He added students need and desire more interaction with quality faculty members. But English Professor Robert Lucid said he was very enthusiastic about the requirement, adding that freshman seminars are "very well taught." The associate dean was expected to announce the adoption of a common book reading program for incoming freshmen, but its approval was delayed. "The faculty is looking at the possibility of a common book reading by all incoming freshmen," Adler said, though he would not elaborate on what caused the delay. "I think that the faculty decision-making practice is the most complicated of all political processes," Kaufman said yesterday, adding that this may be a reason why the common book reading decision has been delayed.

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