Policies for the General Education Writing Requirement (Approved April 8, 2010; effective for Fall 2011)

1. All students must fulfill the Writing Requirement at Stetson University.

2. ENGL 101, taken at Stetson University, fulfills the Writing Requirement for most students.

3. Students with credit equivalent to ENGL 101 (i.e., equivalency of credit through AP, IB, or transfer credit, as evaluated and approved by the Stetson University Office of the Registrar) must submit a portfolio to the Director of the Writing Program by July 1 of the summer prior to entering Stetson University. The Director of the Writing Program will evaluate the writing portfolio and place the student in the appropriate Writing or Writing Intensive course.

4. Students with credit for ENGL 101 (or approved equivalent credit) will fulfill the Writing requirement in one of two ways:

• completion of ENGL 109, Writing Workshop, OR

• completion of an approved writing-intensive course.

Students who place into ENGL 109 should register for ENGL 109 in the subsequent semester. Students who place into WI courses should work with their advisors to determine the appropriate course for the student.

5. Entering students without credit equivalent to ENGL 101 will be placed in ENGL 100 or ENGL 101 by the Director of the Writing Program. Students who wish to appeal this initial placement in ENGL 100 or ENGL 101 may submit a portfolio for consideration and possible placement in another Writing or Writing Intensive course.

6. Students may take a Writing course and a First Year Seminar in the same semester.

7. Students placed in ENGL 100 must take it during their first semester at Stetson and may not drop that course. Students enrolled in ENGL 100 must achieve essential competency in this developmental course, demonstrated by earning a minimum grade of C. Upon completion of ENGL 100, students must enroll in ENGL 101 and maintain such enrollment until the Gen Ed Writing requirement is satisfied. ENGL 100 does not satisfy the Gen Ed Writing requirement.

8. The Writing Requirement must be fulfilled no later than the end of the first year at Stetson. Students must maintain enrollment in the appropriate course until the requirement is satisfied. Students may not drop ENGL 100, 101, or 109.

9. To fulfill the Writing Requirement, students enrolled in ENGL 101 or in ENGL 109 must achieve essential competency in each course, demonstrated by earning a minimum grade of C. Students who complete ENGL 101 or ENGL 109 with the minimum grade of C will have fulfilled the writing requirement.

FAQ about Policies and Procedures:

1. I got a D in my ENGL 101 course. Why do I have to retake it if a D is a passing grade?

In every course at Stetson, a D indicates performance that is below expectations. Because the Gen Ed Writing requirement is so important to your success at Stetson, we have set the bar a little higher: a D, while technically passing, does not demonstrate essential competency and will not meet the Gen Ed Writing requirement. Only course grades of C or above will fulfill the Gen Ed requirement.

2. If I have to retake ENGL 101, does that count as my course retake option?

Students at Stetson have one opportunity and one only to choose to retake a course. Because a student who retakes ENGL 101 is required to do so, the retake does not count as your official course retake option.

3. If I don't like my grade in ENGL 101, even if it fulfills the Gen Ed requirement, can I use my Course Exclusion option?

You have one opportunity to use your Course Exclusion option, and you may certainly choose to use it for your grade in ENGL 101. However, since you took ENGL 101 to fulfill the Gen Ed requirement, excluding it means that the Gen Ed requirement is no longer fulfilled. You must fulfill your Gen Ed Writing requirement. You should consult with the Director of the Writing Program or the Associate Dean to see what your options are.

4. I didn't earn the minimum grade in my ENGL 101 course. Can I take ENGL 201, or a Writing Intensive course, to meet the Gen Ed requirement, or do I have to take ENGL 101 again?

You need to take ENGL 101 again. The skills taught there are different than those in  a Writing Intensive course, so the expectations would be different. If you were placed in ENGL 101, you must show essential competency in ENGL 101.

6. I am bringing credit for ENGL 101.  Can I pick a Writing intensive course to fulfill my Gen Ed Writing requirement?

No. Not all students bringing credit for ENGL 101 will be eligible for the Writing Intensive option. That determnation is made via the submission of a writing placement portfolio. Once the portfolio has been evaluated for placement, students should work with their advisors to plan their schedules.