Fort Valley State University

Whether it’s a project proposal, a response letter, or article for a peer-reviewed journal, effective writing is the ticket to upward mobility in the workplace. Boosting the communications skills of FVSU students through the written word is the goal of a new program, “Doing the ‘Write’ Thing: Writing to Evidence Critical Thinking.” Its mission: to improve students’ critical thinking skills and encourage excellent writing in all disciplines.

At the 2008 Faculty/Staff Institute, attendees unanimously approved the topic for the quality enhancement plan (QEP). The QEP is a five year plan developed in accordance with requirements established by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), the primary regional body that accredits higher education institutions in more than ten southern states and Latin America. FVSU’s accreditation reaffirmation through SACS occurs in 2010.

“FVSU is preparing to meet the expectation of the SACS reaffirmation process,” said Dr. Josephine Davis, chair of the QEP committee. “To develop the plan, the QEP committee conducted numerous activities.” Consultants visited campus to facilitate the process. During the summer, a QEP pilot study to inform the committee was conducted and later, a DVD was developed to capture the lessons learned.

Before the writing topic was approved at the staff retreat, the committee held campus-wide discussions that generated interest in several areas: retention, use of technology in student learning, service learning, reading across disciplines, student leadership and development.

This semester, to learn more about incorporating critical thinking skills in writing, the FVSU faculty will read the book “Engaging Ideas.” At the freshman and sophomore levels, students will master not only the mechanics and the art of writing; but also the role of critical thinking. Seniors will master the expectations of writing according to the intellectual standards of their respective disciplines.

“The goal of the QEP committee is to engage the FVSU community in improving student learning and the academic environment for developing proficient and professional writers,” Davis said. The new plan to improve students’ writing is more than a “writing across the curriculum” approach, she added.