Campus proposal

Campus Proposal

Like advertisements, proposals are a very common form of argumentation. Jobs in many
different fields include proposal-like documents—whether pitches in marketing jobs, bids for
interior design firms, or internal proposals for spending. Most proposals stem from a problem
or need.
Imagine ACU has been given a $1 million dollar gift by a generous anonymous donor, but there
is one caveat to receiving the funding: ACU must spend the money on a project that will most
improve the campus — academically, physically, or socially — according to the students
themselves. To determine which project ACU should pursue with the $1 million in funds, the
administration has put out a call for proposals from students. Students are invited to put
together an 8-10 page proposal on a project that will use the gift money and improve some
part of ACU’s offerings for students. This could mean launching a new academic major,
renovating part of the campus, or starting a new student life program on campus. The options
are nearly endless. The administration will pick the three proposals that are the best and most
feasible and then students across the student body will vote on the winner.
As you walk around campus, are there things that you notice need to be fixed? Would your life
be easier if ACU added a specific program or support service? Is there a way that ACU could
partner with the City of Glendale or a nearby business to create a stronger community? This is
your chance to write a proposal that calls attention to the problem and explains your solution.
Summary: In 8-10 pages, you will identify an existing local problem and present the best (both
viable and effective) solution.
Assignment: You may work on this project individually or with a partner. Individual projects
must be at least eight (8) pages. Partner projects should be at least ten (10) pages and the
work load should be split evenly. Even if you want to write your paper individually, you may
work with a partner to identify problems on campus and brainstorm solutions.
Your proposal should include:
A title page
A table of contents
An executive summary
The body of the report (introduction, analysis, recommendation)
Budget and/or timeline
Appendix: Data presentation (charts, graphs, or survey results)
EXAMPLE: If the problem posed is lack of on-campus parking, you would need to identify your
solution (build new parking garages, purchase more land, offer discounts for carpoolers) and
your audience (i.e., administrators, students, City of Glendale, etc.). Your proposal will convince
the audience that the problem not only exists but that it should be solved in the manner you
are recommending. The proposal should demonstrate attention to the use of rhetorical appeals
in how it poses the problem and how it argues for the solution.

Grading Criteria:
• The proposal has a clearly articulated claim that a problem exists and that yours is the best
solution.
• The proposal includes research to demonstrate this problem exist and, further, that your
solution is both feasible and superior to alternatives.
• The proposal presents the solution in a clear, achievable manner.
• The proposal uses examples and analysis to convince that the recommendations should be
enacted.
• The proposal is organized in a sophisticated and logical manner, utilizing structural cues to
further the connections being made between sub-topics.
• The proposal demonstrates the writer’s dedication to thoughtful revision.
• The proposal has been thoroughly edited so that it is readable and appropriate for the
chosen audience. Grammar and formatting are considered here.
• Visual aids relating to data collection, budget, and timeline aid the reader in understanding
the proposal.