PHILADELPHIA – – The University of Pennsylvania's Writing Program, the Creative Writing Program and the Kelly Writers House will merge resources to create an umbrella organization, the Center for Programs in Contemporary Writing. The center will officially open July 1.

Alan Filreis, professor of English, will head the new center with the directors of the three programs reporting to him. All of the programs will retain their individual functions.

Initiated by the School of Arts and Sciences and the Office of the Provost, the new center will focus on making writing courses and writing resources more accessible to students across the disciplines. It aims to expand student opportunity at both the introductory and advanced levels.

The center will sponsor workshops, symposiums, renowned guest s and student publications. It will also house a writing lab at 3808 Walnut St., behind the Kelly Writers House. The School of Arts and Sciences is planning the renovation of the site and the installation of the technology.

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