MEMORANDUM
To: Dr. Erika Paterson, ENGL 301 Course Instructor
From: Sidney Singh, ENGL 301 Student
Date: October 15th, 2021
Subject: Proposal to Research Student Engagement in the Creative Writing Student Association.
For the formal report I propose to conduct research on student engagement in the Creative Writing Student Association (CWSA). After conducting research, a casual report with recommendations will be produced for the Executive and Social Committee of CWSA. The goal will be to ensure positions in CWSA will be able to be filled by new volunteers.
Background
The Creative Writing Student Association or CWSA is a student run organization that represent students enrolled in various degree programs housed by the School of Creative Writing. This includes creative writing BFA majors, both optional residency and on campus MFA students, and recently students pursuing Master of Children’s Literature (MACL).
Last year the CWSA decided to revise the constitution in order to be more equitable and accessible to the student body. Previously members of the Executive Committee were expected to plan social events along with their required duties. CWSA created a separate Social Committee for informal parties and engagements. Another revision allowed students in the MACL program to become members of CWSA. This year there are more opportunities and more students included in the CWSA membership.
Problems Identified
The revisions expanded the scope of the opportunities available to non-Executive members.This year there has been some difficulty in securing students into CWSA volunteer and paid positions. This may be due to the lack of awareness of such opportunities or students may be occupied with other duties.
Proposed Plan
Information concerning student engagement needs to collected in order to ensure CWSA will have volunteers in the future. It is necessary to understand the student’s perceptions of CWSA and what factors limit their participation in the student run organization.
Primary Sources
- A 8-12 question survey delivered to the entire CWSA membership. Questions will focus on student attendance for CWSA events, communication preferences and ideas for events.
- A 4-5 survey for member of the CWSA Executive and Social Committee. Questions will focus on motivation for adopting roles in the CWSA and their goals during their tenure.
Secondary Sources
- Examining records of student engagement over previous years if available.
- Peer reviwed research on increasing participation in student groups or similar topics.
- Reviewing the structure of the other student organizations at UBC to gain inspiration for recommendations.
The report will outline recommendations on how to increase student engagement. The recommendations will aim to be beneficial for the future CWSA chairs and members of the Executive and Social Committee.
Qualifications
As the current CWSA Secretary and a member of the Executive Committee I am well acquainted with the current CWSA Interim Director and others members. During the AGM members expressed an urgent desire to increase student engagement to ensure the future of the organization.
Conclusion
CWSA offers a wide range of opportunities for students and they should accessible for the entire membership.These recommendations will be a guide for current and future the CWSA Exectuive and Social Committee for marketing and event planning.
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