UMass Boston: Writing Proficiency Requirement

Registration for the October 2009 Portfolio has ended.

Oct. 26th (M): Portfolios due by 4:00 p.m. in the WP Office (CC/2/2100).

Oct. 30th (F): Results e-mailed to students at 5:00 p.m. and posted on WISER.

Nov. 2nd (M) to 6th (F): Counseling period for students who want to appeal.

Nov. 9th (M): Appeals due by 4:00 p.m. at WP Office (CC/2/2100).

Nov. 12th (Th): Appeals results e-mailed to students and posted on WISER.

The Schedule for January 2010: Exams, January 4th & 5th; Portfolios Due on January 4th

Registration Period: Dec. 1st (M) to Dec. 29th (T) at 5:00 p.m.

Jan. 4th (M): Reading Set A timed-essay exam, 10:00 a.m.

Jan. 4th (M): Reading Set B timed-essay exam, 6:00 p.m.

Jan. 4th (M): Portfolios due by 4:00 p.m. in the WP Office (CC/2/2100)

Jan. 5th: (T): Reading Set C timed-essay exam, 10:00 a.m.

Jan. 14th: (Th): Results e-mailed to students at 5:00 p.m. and posted on WISER.

Jan. 15th (F) to 22nd (F): Counseling period for students who want to appeal.

Jan. 25rd (M): Appeals due by 4:00 p.m. at WP Office (CC/2/2100).

Jan. 27th (W): Results e-mailed to students at 5:00 p.m. and posted on WISER.

Note: All timed essay exams are in the Campus Center Ballroom (CC/3).

Please note: Click here Portfolio Requirements to read the current policies regarding portfolio submissions. Also, in order to prepare for the WPE, you should understand the grading criteria used in the assessment. If you are not familiar with the criteria, please click here Elements of Writing Proficiency, for details.

Writing Proficiency

Can I Appeal the Evaluation of my Essay?

You have the right to appeal the result of the WPE to an Appeals Committee. The committee consists of faculty who were not involved in the original grading of your essay. Students may appeal the evaluation of either the timed-essay exam or the portfolio. The appeal deadline is listed on the WPE schedule. When you have your conference with a counselor in the Writing Proficiency Office (WPO), the appeal process will be explained to you. You must submit an appeal in writing to the Writing Proficiency Office by the date and time specified on the schedule. You can e-mail or bring your appeal to the WPO (CC/2/2100).

In your conference with a counselor from the WPO, you will discuss the issues that the faculty readers raised about your essay. We will discuss the criteria that the faculty used to assess your essay, and the areas in the essay that the faculty readers want you to improve. If the faculty readers have determined you need to improve your ability in a specific area, and you believe that you have demonstrated proficiency in that area, you may appeal their judgment.

After you understand the specific issues, you will need to write a letter that addresses the issues raised in the reader's report. You will need to make a clear, strong case that your essay or portfolio has demonstrated the proficiency criteria and should be judged a "pass." Three faculty members have already evaluated the exam or portfolio as a "retake"; the new faculty readers will not simply nullify their decision. You need to understand the criteria for proficiency, the issues raised by the readers, and then you need to make a persuasive argument about the proficiency of your work to win the appeal.

Please note: issues outside of the criteria listed in the Elements of Writing Proficiency, such as your GPA, the number of credits you have, or any other external factor are not relevant to your appeal. Your appeal must focus on the particular issues raised in the faculty readers' report evaluating your performance, and you must demonstrate that your essay demonstrates the wiriting proficiency criteria.

Of course, you are expected to produce the appeal letter in an independent manner. If it is determined that you have not written your appeal letter independently, the appeal will also be graded as "void."