C & W Conference Site Selection

Computers and Writing Conference

Call to Host
The CCCC Committee on Computers in Composition and Communication (7Cs) invites all interested institutions to submit proposals to host either the onsite or online (or both) Computers and Writing conference(s), which are held annually.

The Computers and Writing Conference is the main conference for those who use computers and networks to teach writing. It brings together scholars, teachers, and professionals from all over the world in an intimate, welcoming setting to discuss the problems, successes, innovations, and logistics of computer and network-based writing instruction.

Since there is no formal organization that oversees the conference and its continuity from year to year, the Computers and Writing community relies upon the generosity of institutions of higher education to host the conference. Typically, these institutions can donate time, personnel, facilities, and limited funding to make the conference a success. Proposals include information about a proposed theme, possible keynote speakers, activities, and innovations that will make the conference a success.

The 7Cs welcomes proposals from individual institutions of higher education as well as those that are collaborative across institutions, including community colleges, K-12 institutions, and non-profits. Proposals for joint-hosting of the onsite and online conferences during one year are welcome.

Proposal Timeline
All dates are two years prior to target hosting dates. (e.g., for proposing to host C&W in 2015, the application should be completed during 2013).

• February: Call for Hosts posted
• March to September: If desired, talk with 7Cs to discuss interest
• September 15: Email of Intent due
• November 1: Application due
• December 1: Site(s) for conference(s) announced

Proposal Procedures

1. Question period. After the Call for Hosts comes out, usually in the spring or summer, look over these guidelines and decide if you need to speak with the 7Cs committee before considering your intent to host. If you have questions about hosting—anything from budgets to locations to technologies used, etc.—email the committee chair with your questions. Alternately, you can meet in person by (a) setting up a meeting during the CCCC, (b) attending the 5th C SIG during CCCC, or (c) attending the 7Cs Open Meeting during the C&W conference that year. Meeting f2f is not mandatory, nor is querying the committee prior to submitting your letter of intent. It’s just in case you have questions.
2. Statement of Intent. By September 15, submit a statement of intent by sending an email to the committee chair. Indicate in the subject line which conference (onsite or online) you are interested in proposing to host. This statement can be an informal email that allows 7Cs to know who's interested and who the host-proposal contact person is, in case we have questions prior to the application due date. (This also allows 7Cs time to solicit proposals, if we don’t get any intentions by Sept. 15.)
3. Application. By November 1, email the committee chair with the URL of a web-accessible version listing the application criteria, listed in the next section. (These web-versions can be password protected. If web-based versions aren’t possible, contact the committee chair in advance to arrange alternate delivery methods.) The application format, as well as previous proposal examples, may be found in the Past and Future C&W Locations section at the bottom of this page. The committee may contact submitters, and in some cases ask for revisions, if it has questions or concerns about a proposal.
4. Acceptance. By December 1, the committee will contact the proposer to indicate acceptance status of the proposals. Soon after, the 7Cs will announce the selected host(s) on relevant listservs, blogs, and social networking sites. After that point, the selected host(s) are responsible for all advertising, although the 7Cs is available for help and to answer questions during the lead-up to the conference(s).

Application Criteria

The 7Cs committee will be assessing ONSITE proposals based on the following criteria:

• The stability, experience, and status of the applicant and identified staff members.
• Evidence of adequate funding and commitment from funding agencies, departments, and so forth.
• Complete budget showing well-thought out and realistic projections.
• Reasonable facilities (rooms, technology, etc.) for conference session accommodations (as well as the quality of the accommodations themselves).
• Reasonable costs for hotel and/or dorm accommodations, including concern for graduate students and others in the community who traditionally have less departmental support for professional development.
• Plans for the conference program that show a theme (if desired), variety of possible keynotes and/or session strands, appropriate focus, clear sense of structure.
• Reasonable registration costs that account for multiple kinds of attendees.
• Added value of any sponsoring events (dinners, tours, etc.).
• Facility support for disabled conference attendees and other attendees with special needs.
• Accessibility of site (geographical location) and distance/difference from recent, previous conference sites (when possible).
• Reviewers who are knowledgeable of the subject area.
• Uniqueness, ability to enhance or improve the conference.
• Depth and substance of plans to collaborate with online conference organizers

In addition to the above, proposers for the ONLINE conference will need to address the following criteria in their proposals:

• Technical expertise of applicant team
• Range of electronic media to be used, including their accessibility to users from around the world
• Quality of interactional opportunities to be provided for presenters and participants
• Depth and substance of plans to collaborate with onsite conference organizers

When applying, consider the above criteria when answering the Required Application Questions in the next section. Your application can include links to material about the speakers, hotel, local attractions, technologies being considered, and so forth. The more information you can provide for the Selection Committee, the better.

Past and Future Computers and Writing Locations (and Hosts)

2010: Purdue U (David Blakesley)
2009: UC–Davis (Carl Whithaus)
2008: U of Georgia (Christy Desmet, Neson Hilton, and Ron Balthazor)
2007: Wayne State U (Jeff Rice, Richard Marback, and Jeff Pruchnik)
2006: Texas Tech U (Rich Rice)
2005: Stanford University (Corinne Arraez)
2004: U of Hawaii and Kapi’olani Community College (Judi Kirkpatrick, Darin Payne and John Zuern)
2003: Purdue U (David Blakesley)
2002: Illinois State U (Ron Fortune and James Kalmbach)
2001: Ball State U (Linda Hanson and Rich Rice)
2000: Texas Women's U (Dene Grigar, John Barber, and Hugh Burns)
1999: South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (Michael Day)
1998: U of Florida (Anthony Rue)
1997: Kapi'olani Community College (Judi Kirkpatrick)
1996: Utah State U (Christine Hult)
1995: U of Texas, El Paso (Evelyn Posey)
1994: U of Missouri, Columbia (Eric Crump)
1993: U of Michigan (Bill Condon)
1992: Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (Helen Schwartz, Linda Hanson, and Web Newbold)
1991: U of Southern Mississippi (Rae Schipke)
1990: U of Texas (Fred Kemp, John Slatin, Wayne Butler, and Locke Carter)
1989: U of Minnesota (Geoff Sirc and Trent Batson)
1987-88 No conference
1986: U of Pittsburgh (Glynda Hull)
1985: U of California, Los Angeles (Lisa Gerrard)
1984: U of Minnesota (Donald Ross)
1983: U of Minnesota (Lillian Bridwell-Bowles)