English 102 set to replace UDWPE

Students who pale at the thought of writing papers and jumping the final hurdle to graduation ÷ the Upper-Division Writing Proficiency Exam ÷ can rejoice.

No more UDWPE for any UA student.

Now students must pass English 102, or the equivalent, with a grade of B or better to satisfy the same requirement.

It's up to each college to determine what students who do not pass English 102 with a B or better would need to do to satisfy the writing requirement.

It was rumored that budget cuts caused the cancellation of the test, but university officials say that was not the case.

"The immediate impulse is budgetary, but for at least five years we have been trying to change the way we meet mid-career assessment requirements," said Larry Evers, head of the department of English, which administered the UDWPE.

A two-year pilot program, which will allow individual colleges or departments to develop their own means of assessment, is currently in effect.

The English department is working closely with each of the colleges to get the mechanics of the system in place.

"No definite system has been determined," said Tricia Perkins, Program Coordinator, in the Academic Programs Administration, "the colleges' or individual departments' undergrad studies committee will most likely decide what way to proceed with students."

Some colleges will have additional writing requirements.

Students in the department of journalism will be required to receive a grade of C or better in six major writing classes in order to graduate.

"(The UDWPE) measured the ability to write in an academic style, not journalistic. It was irrelevant to the needs of our students," said undergraduate advisor Paul Johnson.

Taking a course instead of a test is "far better than the UDWPE," said Aaron Klassen, a molecular and cellular biology sophomore. "It leaves the decision of who can write and who can't up to the people who know the students best."

The UDWPE was developed by UA administrators who realized that most majors do not require students to take any writing courses beyond freshman composition.

By their junior year, most of students' writing skills had weakened, Evers said.

The test ensured that each student could write before graduating.

Prior to canceling the UDWPE, Evers said student input was considered in the final decision.

"I found that what I heard from students and faculty was consistent: ĪPlace the decision in the hands of the colleges.'"

The Office of Curriculum and Registration will be notified as each student meets the necessary requirements. Those who do not pass the mandatory classes will have to meet with an advisor from their college to ensure that they will graduate. The options and outcome are in the hands of the specific college, rather than the university.

In the past, an evaluation of unsatisfactory in the exam meant students had to complete further developmental courses or work in writing, before being allowed to enter a writing emphasis course.

Sandra Florence, assistant writing specialist in the English department, taught the class that prepared those who had not passed the UDWPE, improving their writing for future endeavors.

Florence is confident in the new system and said that this decision to eliminate the test "affects all students, but the university and its colleges are working hard to find ways to help the students."

Some departments have already begun to notify their students of the new decision. All others may still be in the process of developing a final stance.

The last UDWPE test was given this summer.