Describes briefly the proposal to change the writing program universitywide at Western Illinois University. Draws conclusions about the rhetorical situation of the writing program administrator in his or her attempts to substantively rename and predicate what educators do and thus to redefine the discipline. (MG)

Argues that the writing program administrator's role of developing and maintaining a program that embodies and tests theoretical principles is a scholarly activity and should be recognized as such. Claims that the traditional disciplinary view restricting scholarship to written publication must be broadened. (RS)