Senate agrees people write more now

College professors complain about text message writing, but according to the National Council of Teachers of English, this is still considered writing.

The council’s Web site explains that people in every walk of life “write more than ever before for personal, professional and civic purposes.”

On Oct. 8, the United States Senate passed a resolution designating Tuesday as the National Day on Writing.

Senate Resolution 310 states that the day was established to encourage “all Americans to write, as well as to enjoy and learn from the writing of others.”

The Writing Center will host this college’s celebration of the National Day on Writing from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday in the mall.

Writing center Director Frances Crawford organized the campus celebration.

Along with the writing center staff, the Cheshyre Cheese Club, Student Government Association and the student chapter of Society of Professional Journalists will be participating in Tuesday’s event.

In an e-mail, Crawford wrote that booths will include how to get a degree in English and journalism, “Meet an Author,” “Build your avatar,” and poetry

Another booth invites students to take part in a video about everyday writing to be posted online at theranger.org.

Student life will provide outdoor booths for the groups and use of the craft room.

The U.S. Senate “strongly affirms” the purposes of the day and encourages people to participate in the National Gallery of Writing at www.galleryofwriting.org.

The Senate states in the resolution that the online gallery “serves as an exemplary living archive of the centrality of writing in the lives of Americans.”

The same day that Congress passed the resolution making the day official, Oct. 8, Crawford sent out e-vite invitations through e-mail for an Excellence in Writing Celebration and reception.

Professors nominated students for the award to be given out during a ceremony at 11 a.m. Oct. 23 in Koehler Cultural Center.

Crawford said students are encouraged to invite family and friends to the event.

This month’s related events include Cheshyre Cheese Club’s poetry reading at 7 p.m. Thursday in Room 120 of the visual arts center and the writing celebration Oct. 23.

The three events take place during National Freedom of Speech Week.

Today from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the mall, the staff of The Ranger invites students to celebrate free speech and National Newspaper Week with Chalk Day, which was postponed one week because of rain.

Call Crawford for more information at 486-1436.