and in addition, if it helps anyone writing to the DVCA at London Met on the topic of closures, here's a link  to some current arguments about the wisdom of cutting back in difficult times 
http://falseeconomy.org.uk/cure/what-do-the-experts-say

and if you feel so inclined, there's also an AVAAZ petition relating to the general approach of cutting back when what is arguably needed is greater stimulus in better directions...
http://www.avaaz.org/en/global_economy_gb_video_2/?cl=844270203&v=7667

Best wishes, 
- Emily Purser
Learning Development
University of Wollongong, Australia



________________________________________
From: European Association for the Teaching of Academic Writing - discussions [[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Lisa Ganobcsik-Williams [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Friday, 26 November 2010 11:32 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: PLEASE SUPPORT OUR COLLEAGUES AT THE LONDON MET WRITING CENTRE

Dear All,



I am writing on behalf of our writing centre colleagues at London Metropolitan University, who are facing a crisis situation.



On Tuesday 9th November, staff in the Learning Development Unit (LDU) and Writing Centre at London Metropolitan University were informed of the intention of University senior management to close down both services.



Redundancies are planned to take place at an unspecified time before the end of the present academic year and staff in the LDU and Writing Centre have been given 44 days to argue the case for alternative proposals.



Based on the recent support given by many EWCA and EATAW members to the threatened closure of Katrin Girgensohn's Writing centre in Germany-and the knowledge that her university actually reversed their decision based in part on the wave of support from Academic Writing colleagues internationally, I am writing to urge you contribute in one (or all) of the following three ways:



*         by posting a comment on the 'Don't Write off the LDU' blog: http://saveldu.blogspot.com/2010/11/ldu-closure.html



*         by signing a petition against the closure (available from http://saveldu.blogspot.com/2010/11/ldu-closure.html)



*         by writing directly to Dr Robert Aylett, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), London Metropolitan University, Tower Building,166-220 Holloway Road, London N7 8DB, England, UK on the letterhead paper of your writing centre/center if possible or emailing him at: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>



I would suggest that noting the impact that University writing centres, writing programmes, and writing initiatives make would be useful. Anything you could say specifically about the impact that London Metropolitan's Writing Centre's programmes, models, expertise, research, publications and conference presentations have made would also be useful, especially in terms of how such work enhances the quality of teaching, the student learning experience, and student retention.



Thank you for your support.



Best wishes,



Lisa


Dr. Lisa Ganobcsik-Williams
Head of the Centre for Academic Writing
Coventry University
Priory Street, Coventry
CV1 5FB

phone +44 (0)2476 887904

Chair: European Association for the Teaching of Academic Writing (EATAW)
Former Executive Board Member: European & International Writing Centers Associations (EWCA/IWCA)



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