Council of Writing Program Administrators records

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: MSP 75

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Council of Writing Program Administrators records (1977-2009; 16.35 cubic feet) documents the activities of the Council of Writing Program Administrators. Materials include papers related to WPA, MLA and CCCC conferences, executive committee meetings, services provided by WPA, general financial papers, correspondence, newsletters and journal. Types of materials include: papers, brochures, notes, agendas, minutes, reports, articles, rough drafts, newsletters, journals, correspondence, floppy discs and DVDs. The records are organized into seven series.

Dates

1977 - 2009
Majority of material found within 1974 - 2007
Other: Date acquired: 11/05/2009

Creator

Council of Writing Program Administrators (U.S.) (Organization)

Language of Materials

Collection materials are in English.

Access Information

Collection is open for research.

Copyright and Use Information

Some material in this collection are in the public domain, while other material copyrights are held by Purdue University. Consult with Purdue University Archives and Special Collections prior to reproduction of materials.

Historical Information

The National Council of Writing Program Administrators (CWPA) is an association of writing professionals that advocate for and host professional writing conferences, workshops, and academic programs. It represents teachers and researchers whose teaching and scholarship focus on intellectual and pedagogical aspects of writing programs and their administration. Its goal is to provide resources, support, and services on matters attendant to the administration of writing programs. Writing programs, for CWPA’s purposes, specifically include all writing-across-the-disciplines programs, writing centers, and writing courses with multiple sections. Membership in CWPA includes any individual or institution interested in teaching, service, and scholarship in the field of rhetoric and composition, especially with a focus on program administration, may join the CWPA by paying membership dues set by the Executive Board. The CWPA makes a contract with an academic institution to serve as its Institutional Home. Governance for CWPA is made up of a President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer, and the Executive Board. Publications include the Journal of the Council of Writing Program Administrators and some statements and resolutions. Services provided by CWPA include affiliations, assessments, the consultant-evaluator service, and the Network for Media Action (NMA). CWPA hosts its annual conference during the summer each year. It also hosts a breakfast each year at the Conference on College Composition and Communication (CCCC).

Extent

16.35 Cubic Feet (28 letter-size full-width manuscript boxes, one shoebox, and one flat box)

Additional Description

Arrangement Note

1. Conferences, 1984-2009 (3.5 cubic feet). This series includes information created for and related to conferences and workshops hosted by the Council of Writing Program Administrators. Materials include agendas, notes, pamphlets, travel accommodations and city maps. It also includes information related to conferences that the WPA attended such as the Modern Languages Association (MLA) conferences and the Conference on College Composition and Communication (CCCC). Materials are arranged chronologically.

2. Executive committee, 1977-2008 (4 cubic feet). Materials include agendas, notes, and correspondence regarding WPA executive board meetings. Materials are arranged chronologically.

3. Services, 1979-2008 (0.5 cubic feet). WPA services include maintaining affiliations with other universities, assessments, consultant-evaluator services, the Network for Media Action (NMA), statements and resolutions, and the WPA game. Materials in this series include papers, brochures, reports, articles and artifacts such as the WPA board game. Materials are arranged chronologically.

4. General business papers, 1977-2007 (3 cubic feet). This series includes financial papers, correspondence, by-laws, grant proposals, brochures, contracts and newsletters. The materials are arranged chronologically.

Subseries 1: Correspondence, 1985-2007 (0.5 cubic feet)

Subseries 2: Newsletters, 1977-2007 (0.5 cubic feet)

5. Membership, 1980-2007 (3 cubic feet). This series includes papers dealing with WPA membership such as directories, committee papers, voting and election ballots and mailing lists. Materials are arranged chronologically.

6. Journal, 1978-2002 (4.15 cubic feet). The Journal of the Council of Writing Program Administrators is produced by WPA. Papers include author articles and contact information, journal rough drafts, correspondence, financial papers and advertisements. Very few final copies of the Journal of the Council of Writing Program Administrators are included in the collection. Materials are arranged chronologically.

1 Subseries: Articles included in the WPA Journal

7. Artifacts and audio visual, 1999-2007 (1.2 cubic feet). Artifacts include floppy discs, WPA conference hats and bags, WPA board game and DVDs.

8. Audio visual materials, 1999-2007 (0.2 cubic feet) Audio-visual items include floppy discs, CDs and DVDs.

Custodial History

Shirley K. Rose

Acquisition Information

Donated by Linda Adler-Kassner, President of Council of Writing Program Administrators, 12/7/2009

Processing Information

Whenever possible, original order of the materials has been retained. Some materials have been housed in acid-free folders and all have been housed in acid-free boxes. Artifacts have been separated and grouped into individual series for preservation purposes.