Faculty Writing Retreats

Center for Academic Excellence (CAE)

All faculty are invited to attend the CAE day-long writing retreats. These writing retreats are designed to give you quiet, undisturbed blocks of time to work on journal articles, presentations, grant proposals, books, or other academic writing projects. Continental breakfast is provided at 8:30 a.m., lunch is provided around noon, and we'll have coffee and tea available all day. If you need to bounce ideas off of someone, CAE staff is available to listen (out in the hall, away from the silent space.) We can also hook you up with a Writing Center consultant, either at lunch during the Writing Retreat or later by appointment, so you can take advantage of their services for faculty.

Dates for 2011 Writing Retreats:

Winter Retreats: Friday, January 21 and Friday, February 18, 2011

Spring Retreats: Friday, April 15 and Friday, May 13, 2011

Registrations will be accepted for winter retreats after announcement is made via the CTLE listserve in mid December, 2010.

Registrations will be accepted for spring retreats after announcement is made via the CTLE listserve in mid March, 2011.

Space is limited, so you will be asked to choose one date only (per term).

To RSVP, call 503-725-5642 or email caestaff@pdx.edu, including a few sentences that describe your writing project.

What you should bring to the Writing Retreat:

• A willingness to write, write, and write some more.
• Resource and reference materials for your writing project.
• Your own laptop computer. The Writing Retreats are not held in a computer lab, but the room is equipped with PSU wireless. Note: The CAE does not have laptops for loan to writing retreat participants.

Writing Retreat Procedures:

• Find a spot, settle in, and write.
• Silence is golden. Even whispering can disturb your neighbors.
• Turn off your cell phone.
• Mute your computer.
• If you have computer problems, CAE staff will assist you.
• If you get stuck with your writing project, ask CAE staff to consult with you in the hallway. Often, just talking with someone will get you back on track.
• Lunch will arrive around noon. The silence rule is a little bit relaxed while people eat, but please be careful as many people will want to work through lunch.
  

Advice:

• Don't check your e-mail. You will find a message that will cost you time.
• Don't leave the building. You will run into someone and get stuck dealing with something. This is doubly true if you go anywhere near your office.
• Remember - this is YOUR day to write! Put your writing first. Everything else can wait.