Class Visits by English-Language Writers from Quebec

Objectives

The objectives of the program are to introduce CEGEP students to the wide range of writing now being done in English in Quebec and to promote language-arts skills. It targets public and private CEGEPs, including francophone schools offering literature courses in English. Financed by the Ministry of Culture and Communications, it is designed primarily, but not exclusively, for students enrolled in English literature. Events open to the greater CEGEP community are also eligible.

The Union des écrivaines et des écrivains québécois, which administers a similar program in francophone CEGEPs, acts as the interface between CEGEPs and the writers, aided by the Quebec Writers’ Federation (QWF).

To see the 2017-2018 list of participants, along with details on their specialties and what they propose for the CEGEP classroom, visit the QWF site.

To present a request to the program, please read the guidelines below, and download the Application Form. Additional information is available at http://www.qwf.org/programs/. For more information, contact us at (514)-849-8540 or 1-888-849-8540 or email us at laurence.gascon@uneq.qc.ca.

Guidelines for CEGEP teachers

1. How to set up a visit

Each CEGEP may access the program for two visits during a given academic year. Visits will be allotted on a first-come, first-served basis. You can invite two different writers or invite the same writer twice. Since writers, too, are limited to two visits per year, it is possible that the writers you wish to invite will be unavailable.

Writers who are CEGEP teachers cannot be invited to give a presentation in the CEGEP where they ordinarily teach.

Once you and the writer have agreed to a date, complete the Application Form with the name of the writer, the date and time of meeting and the type of meeting and send it to UNEQ. This must be done at least one month before the visit.

UNEQ will confirm the meeting with the CEGEP. UNEQ will not pay a writer retroactively, nor if the program deadlines are not met. The first step is to select the writer(s) you want from a list of eligible writers prepared by the Quebec Writers’ Federation. These writers have been approved for the program by a three-person jury of writers and CEGEP teachers.

Next, you should contact the writers directly to discuss scheduling and the type of activity they will lead. If you need help reaching a writer, write to admin@qwf.org and they will forward your message.
The people in charge of the activity at the CEGEP and the writer must agree on the type of activity prior to the visit. Three types of visits are allowed:

• • lecture and reading
  • writing workshop
  • seminar

The CEGEP may choose to have a public meeting or one for a smaller group. Each meeting should last approximately 90 minutes.

The CEGEP should plan activities before and after the visit in order to make the most of the writer’s presence at the school. For instance, a book display of the author’s work might be organized to stimulate participation. Student radio and the student newspaper should also be encouraged to announce and promote the visit of the guest. Before visits, UNEQ will send the biography and bibliography of the writer upon request, as well as photographs when available.

2. How much a visit costs

Writers visiting CEGEPs will receive an honorarium, which varies depending on the type of presentation they offer: $490 per day for lectures and readings, $490 per day for writing workshops and $370 per day for seminar meetings.

Of this, $100 must come from the CEGEP and be paid directly to writers at the time of their visit.
Transportation, meals and lodging costs for the writer will be paid by the program. See the rules of reimbursement HERE.

3. After the Visit

You will be asked to complete and return an evaluation form immediately following the visit.