University of North Alabama - Overview

Facilities & Overview

In 2007, Dr. Robert T. Koch Jr. adopted and expanded the English department's vision by creating a Center for Writing Excellence (CWE). This CWE includes programs to serve not only students but faculty and the community as well. The CWE was given a three-part mission: "to provide UNA students at all academic levels with instruction and resources for writing, reading, and writing-as-critical thinking skills development; to provide UNA faculty with teaching resource support and professional development opportunities in Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) and Writing in the Disciplines (WID); and to assist community members with writing, reading, and writing-as-critical thinking projects.

The CWE initially occupied the Stone Lodge in the center of UNA's campus for the first several years. Then, in 2010, Collier Library opened its doors and supported the CWE with a home for several more years, offering full support and services, including the collaboration of research consultations and writing workshops for students, faculty, and staff.

In 2013, the CWE moved to the second floor of the Commons building and is currently situated as a vital part of the University Success Center. As part of the University Success Center, the CWE is responsible for making sure that students “succeed” in college by providing them with the “tools” needed for successful college writers. In order to supply these “tools”, the CWE relies on the assistance of other campus services, including research consultations and collaboration from Collier Library, Disability Support Services, Career Planning and Development, Counseling Services, the Office of International Affairs, and faculty and staff members across campus. With the collaboration and support of these services and individuals, the CWE is able to nourish the support needed in order for students to become successful.

Today, the CWE is under the direction of Dr. Kathleen Richards. With her background in English Composition and TESOL, she has made an effort to continue the momentous work of the former directors by expanding the efforts of the CWE to continue to reach across the campus and throughout the community.

The Communications Building has these facilities:

Screening Room 131 - seats 121; Blu-ray and television capability

Screening Room 124 - seats 42; television capability

Conference Room 130 - seats 20

Publishing Lab 116 - seats 20; Mac computers

Production Lab 118 - seats 20; Windows computers

Production Studio 115

Four Classrooms - various capacities

Room 131 is home to the HD screening room which features 7.1 surround sound and seats 121. Room 124 is a smaller screening room which seats 42.

Two Mac computer labs are available for writing, film production, editing, and student research.

The studio features television, radio, and film production equipment to provide students with hands-on experience.

Green screen technology is available in the production studio.