Introducing the University Advisory Committee

This fall, Sweetland launched its University Advisory Committee (UAC), bringing together colleagues from across campus to strengthen collaborations and ensure the center's work aligns with the diverse writing needs of the university community. The committee includes representatives from a range of areas across the university—from Kinesiology and the Digital Studies Institute to the Library, Rackham, and the English Department Writing Program—as well as both an undergraduate peer writing consultant and a graduate student member currently enrolled in a Sweetland graduate course.

The UAC serves dual purposes: providing consultation on Sweetland's programs and services, and advocating for writing support across U-M. At its inaugural meeting in October, members explored pressing questions and possibilities for collaboration. A major theme emerged around generative AI and writing: how can the university support students and faculty in using these tools thoughtfully and ethically? Committee members noted concerns ranging from AI-generated submissions to plagiarism detection false positives, and discussed how Sweetland can develop resources for instructors, consultants, and students navigating these challenges.

The committee also identified opportunities to strengthen writing support across student and faculty populations. Members discussed creating disciplinary writing toolkits to help students understand field-specific conventions and explored ways to better integrate Sweetland resources into platforms where students already seek course support. While Sweetland offers robust support for graduate writers, members noted that graduate students don't always learn about, or take advantage of, these resources. Conversations about graduate student support ranged from improving visibility through Canvas and orientation programs to developing targeted workshops for GSIs. The committee also explored partnerships around professional development, including summer workshops for writing-focused lecturers and collaborations on course redesign as units adapt their writing instruction to changing pedagogical landscapes.

The UAC will convene each semester, developing initiatives that respond to the evolving writing needs of the U-M community.