Research Proposal

Michele Scott
Dr. Grutsch McKinney
ENG 690 WCA Research Paper
May 19, 2008

Topic: Writing Centers + Residence Halls

Motivation: If a main problem with writing centers is miscommunication through advertising, it seems beneficial to educate students correctly about the center before they have a chance to hear otherwise. Since Ball State requires freshman (save commuters) to live on campus, starting in the Residence Halls seems perfect. By providing pre-made bulletin boards and programs to Resident Assistants, a new angle is added to the marketing strategies of the Writing Center. Not only would the presence in the Halls be valuable, but costs would be minimal after the initial fees to create reusable products.

Research Questions:
-Where do the philosophies and goals of Writing Centers and Residences overlap?
-How can both institutions work together to better accomplish these goals?

Research Sources:

-academic articles; especially those mentioning need for “community,” “comfort,” or a major emphasis on marketing practices
-primary examples; other universities with Residence Hall programs, and what these programs entail
-Residence Hall research/ community ideals and plans/ goals
-samples from previous marketing campaigns

Format:
Presentation – ?
End product – packet of samples, 5-7 page written explanation

Issues/Problems:

-deciding on a format for the presentation

Questions for Dr. McKinney:
Are there any Universities specifically known for similar programs or practices?