Frozen accounts requires students take Writing Assessment
By Cari Ann DeLamielleure
With registration opened for the winter 2010 term, undergraduate students may find that a simple writing assessment is capable of freezing their enrollment process.
“If your writing is lower than college level, then you’re going to have trouble writing assignments given by your instructor,” said Dina A. DuBuis, Registrar. “The idea is that they [faculty] really want students to be successful.”
The Writing Assessment was established to place freshman and transfer undergraduate students, excluding those who received a 7 or higher on the ACT essay exam, into an English composition class that will magnify their skills and help students find new strengths. These composition sequences must be completed with in the first three semesters at Madonna University.
“If they [students] have not taken the writing assessment and they need to take it, we will put a hold on their student account,” said Frances FitzGerald, Writing Center Coordinator.
Once the hold is placed, students may remove it by registering to take the Writing Assessment. However, if you do not show up for your appointment, then you will again be restricted from enrolling in future courses, said FitzGerald.
This also applies to students who failed to meet their required English composition sequences. Those who have not taken these courses in the first three semesters at Madonna will not be able to schedule classes for the winter 2010 term.
Contrary to popular belief, students can only test out of ENG 1010. The composition sequence must be taken based on the Writing Assessment score for students to successfully write college level papers in any class, said DuBois.
Once you complete the Writing Assessment, you will receive a score through your Madonna e-mail, placing you into the appropriate English composition course. Students who receive a 5 will enter into ENG 1020. A score of a 4T, for transfer students, means they have completed their requirements for the English composition courses.
Those who receive a 3T or 3 must sign up for one credit of ENG 1150 and spend 3 hours per week working with the Writing Center tutors. This can be completed along side of a composition course. Students who score a 2T or 2 must sign up for two credits of ENG 1150 and spend 4 hours per week in the Writing Center. Again, this can be done simultaneously with another composition course. A student who scores a 1T or 1, on the other hand, must attend their ENG 1000 or 1150 class, as well as spend 4 hours per week in the Writing Center. Composition courses may be taken once these writing workshops have been completed.
Registration is free for the Writing Assessment Essay and can be done at the Registrar Office or over the phone.
If you have any questions about the Writing Assessment, you can call the Writing Center at 734-435-5304.
