September 14 – 16, 2015 | Wildacres Retreat Center, Little Switzerland, NC (Directions)
*Proposal deadline: Monday, August 31, 2015
Carolinas Writing Program of Administrators is accepting proposals for its Twelfth Annual Fall Conference at Wildacres.
Conference Theme and Design
This year we focus on labor and working conditions that impact WPAs and Writing Programs. We encourage proposals that focus on ways we are responding to working conditions at a state, regional, or local level. Projects in different stages—from manuscript-ready to collected raw data to seeds of ideas—are welcome. We ask that you identify how you will engage your Wildacres audience in helping you advance this project. Be prepared to discuss your work without AV equipment (Internet is very limited and we may not have access to projectors).
We will organize small breakout groups based on proposals so those presenting can work through their questions with attendees. John Warner from College of Charleston will provide a brief keynote address and facilitate a writing workshop that helps us to further consider the labor of writing program administration.
Conference Schedule and Format
The format of the conference will encourage full engagement of participants from a broad variety of institutions and programs. We will mix small, working group discussions with larger presentations/conversations about the work we do and the conditions of that work. Proposals will be accepted pending space.
Keynote Speaker and Workshop Facilitator
John Warner, College of Charleston
John Warner has worked as contingent faculty for fifteen years, teaching writing and literature at the University of Illinois, Virginia Tech, Clemson, and now, the College of Charleston. Since 2012 he has written the Just Visiting blog at Inside Higher Ed, frequently covering issues of labor and pedagogy inside the writing classroom, and advocating for improved equity for non-tenure-track faculty. He is the author of two works of fiction, the short story collection, Tough Day for the Army, and a novel, The Funny Man, as well as three other books, including the bestselling political satire, My First Presidentiary: A Scrapbook of George W. Bush. Since 2003 he has served in an editorial capacity with McSweeney’s Internet Tendency, first as editor in chief and now, editor at large. John also writes a weekly column forPrinters Row, the book supplement for the Chicago Tribune, and is an occasional contributor to Salon, Slate, and The Daily Beast, among other online outlets. A Chicago-area native, he lives in Mt. Pleasant, SC with his wife Kathy and their dogs, Oscar and Truman.
The conference will begin at 5:00 pm on Monday, September 14, and will conclude at 10:00 am on Wednesday, September 16.
Proposals
We invite proposals from individuals or groups from schools across the Carolinas. Each proposal should be no more than 700 words and should contain the following:
- One paragraph that describes a project you are currently working on or one you envision
- One paragraph about your intended audience
- A sentence or two about how the writing workshop might advance your project.
Provide the names and contact information (email, phone, professional affiliation) for each person associated with your proposal. Be sure to title your proposal and submit it via email to Tracy Ann Morse (morset@ecu.edu) and Collie Fulford (cfulfor1@nccu.edu) by Monday, August 31, 2015.
Titles and authors of accepted proposals will be included on the conference schedule as formal presentations or contributions. We hope this will open up travel funding from the institutions for all presenters.
NOTE: You do not need to present to attend the conference, but if presenting will help you secure funding, we hope you will consider submitting a proposal either individually or with colleagues from your institution.
Registration and Cost
The registration price of $185.00 includes lodging and five meals at Wildacres, as well as all conference materials. Registration is open. The registration deadline is September 11 with no refunds after September 7. Prior to September 7, you may cancel and receive a full refund.
Questions or Comments? Contact Tracy Ann Morse at morset@ecu.edu.