University of Arizona to Shut Down 40-Year-Old Writing Program, Raising Concerns for Students and Faculty

The University of Arizona (UA) is set to close its Writing Skills Improvement Program (WSIP) after more than four decades of service, leaving students, faculty, and community members concerned about the loss of critical writing support.

Students walking on University of Arizona campus with palm trees and brick buildings

University officials announced the termination of the writing program in the middle of the semester, a move that many say undermines both student success and community engagement.

“There are two parts of this ‘delivering on our promise’ that this undermines — the first is student success, and the second is community interaction,” said Nataly Reed, senior lecturer in the English department. “The impact will be felt very strongly. People will have to scramble to find the type of support they’ve relied on for years.”

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What the Writing Skills Improvement Program Offered

Launched in the 1980s, WSIP provided writing assistance and workshops to a wide range of learners:

• Undergraduate and graduate students at UA
• Local and international students
• Faculty, instructors, and administrators
• Middle and high school students seeking to improve writing and critical thinking skills

The program was staffed by a small team of specialists with advanced degrees in writing, who worked one-on-one with students and also conducted group workshops.

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Community Reacts to WSIP Closure

The decision to shut down WSIP has sparked widespread concern across campus:

• Loss of academic support: Students will no longer have access to professional writing guidance during the semester.
• Community impact: The program extended beyond campus, helping K-12 students and educators across Arizona.
• Faculty challenges: Instructors who referred students to WSIP for additional help will now need to find alternatives.

Reed emphasized that the program’s five-member team had been carrying out “really important” work, often filling a gap that regular coursework could not.

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Reduced Support for Writing and Critical Thinking

The closure comes at a time when writing skills and critical thinking development are increasingly viewed as essential for academic and career success. With fewer resources available, students may face additional challenges in meeting university standards for writing-intensive courses.

The College of Humanities has not yet provided details about whether any replacement services will be offered or how current WSIP clients will transition.

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Student Achievement Questioned After Program Closure

As the University of Arizona moves forward without the Writing Skills Improvement Program, many in the academic community are questioning whether this decision aligns with the institution’s promise of supporting student achievement and educational equity.

For now, students and faculty are left to search for alternative writing support services, both on and off campus.

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