Amidst the figurative whirlwind of essay prompts and research papers, any college student would agree with California State University, Stanislaus that greatness, especially at the university level, relies on writing.
With this in mind, the university has launched the Greatness Relies On Writing or G.R.O.W. Project, a campus-wide effort that aims to improve the writing of CSU Stanislaus students to their benefit in the classroom and throughout life.
CSU Stanislaus President Joseph F. Sheley has stood at the forefront of this new initiative with hopes that students will utilize the resources available to them in order to build on their ability to write effectively.
“I’m passionate about it,” said Sheley. “My message to the students is to work at it. Writing is an art that takes a lifetime to master. If you don’t work on it, you really are shortchanging yourself.”
With the G.R.O.W. Project, Sheley aspires to see exceptional writing rise as a distinguished characteristic of CSU Stanislaus graduates, as well as a trademark that is associated with the university throughout the region.
“Many students go through four years of college and at the end of that time, there’s virtually no improvement in their ability to think critically or to write,” said Interim Dean of College of Business Administration David Lindsay. “It’s not just going to happen automatically while you’re in college. Students are going to have to make this a top priority.”
In the form of a webpage on CSU Stanislaus’ website, the G.R.O.W. Project encompasses various writing samples, grammar resources, tips on identifying different forms of plagiarism, graduate writing support, and information about the University’s Writing Center.
Students will also have access to a number of videos that highlight the importance of strong writing skills as told by various members throughout the university and greater community.
“The immediate goal for the G.R.O.W. project is stimulation of discussion about writing as perhaps the single most important general element of success in the workplace after graduation,” said Sheley. “Employers tell us daily that they are having trouble finding people who write competently. I don’t want our students to find this out after graduation. We hope to spur them to pursue it now. Good writing opens doors.”
Through the G.R.O.W. Project, students will learn how to think critically, research, formulate arguments, persuade, and empathize successfully, all which are abilities the University attributes to exceptional writing.
“G.R.O.W. is a very important practical program in that it urges students to strengthen their writing skills both to get better grades and to position themselves for success in the world,” said Sheley.
For more information or to check out all the resources available through the G.R.O.W. Project, visit csustan.edu/grow.