Recently, discussions of dissolving the Conference on College Composition and Communication (CCCC) member group within the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) have come to light. The proposed dissolution of CCCC represents a disheartening and abrupt shock that threatens the foundation of college writing studies and the community that supports it. Without any communication with CCCC members or leadership, the NCTE Executive Committee had taken the initiative to collapse a professional infrastructure that has led the field of composition studies for over 75 years. 

Transparency in this process is crucial. Members of the CCCC and wider academic community deserve clear communication and access to all pertinent information regarding any proposed changes to our organization. It is vital that we foster opportunities for the CCCC and its journal to operate independently, ensuring their continued contribution to the field while providing stability and security to those who depend on these institutions.

This decision not only affects the professional lives of countless educators and scholars, but it also undermines the legitimacy of writing studies at a time when this discipline stands at a critical juncture. Campuses, classrooms, and students across the world would feel the impacts. Composition and writing studies, more than ever, needs our structured platforms to address these challenges, foster innovation, and protect the integrity of our work. Anything that delegitimizes our field is dangerous, creating a ripple effect that impacts educational standards and pedagogic practices nationwide.

The NCTE Executive Committee felt that this vote is a foregone conclusion. Which is curious, because the NCTE’s own constitution Article IV, Subsection C, states that the Chairs of all NCTE conferences—including CCCC—must be present for a binding vote on “decisions concerning internal NCTE operations and structure”. No conference chairs have been invited to today’s meeting. This is a violation of NCTE’s own constitution. 

If you are currently a CCCC member, we ask that you commit to cancelling your NCTE membership should these changes be made. NCTE members outside of composition studies should consider what these events mean for the organization as a whole. The abrupt dismissal of CCCC’s officers, the possible cancellation of CCCC2027 after proposals had already been accepted and a venue secured, and the production freeze for flagship journal CCC—which has completed issues ready and waiting to be published—should raise serious concerns about NCTE’s leadership. Do you want to be part of an organization which could unilaterally decide to dismantle critical infrastructure your subdiscipline relies on?  

Join us in calling on the NCTE to halt any actions leading to the dissolution of the CCCC member group. If any executive decisions regarding CCCC's future have been voted on, we call for a stay on the implementation of any changes until proper conversations between CCCC membership and NCTE have been had. We must demand transparency in their proceedings and ensure opportunities are provided for independent operation and administration of CCCC's functions and resources. Your signature is a stand for accountability, foresight, and the preservation of writing studies programs throughout the academic world.