At a time when arguments about the role of AI in higher education, particularly with regard to student writing, have no clear end or resolution, I have been greatly encouraged by the fact that our department has made, and continues to make, a strong commitment to thinking about and teaching writing as a distinctly human activity that is crucial for the exploration of who we are, what we are doing, and why we do the work we do.

Recently, in ENG 221: Literary Magazine Production 2, the students read and discussed Joseph Fasano’s poem “For a Student Who Used A.I. to Write a Paper”:

Now I let it fall back
in the grasses.
I hear you. I know
this life is hard now.
I know your days are precious
on this earth.
But what are you trying
to be free of?
The living? The miraculous
task of it?
Love is for the ones who love the work. 

Here in the English department, we love the work, and part of what we have sought to foster on campus is a writing culture that allows others to share in this work together. The most visible examples of this are the two student-run publications Inventio and Vermilion. 

This spring marks the 10th anniversary of the first issue of Inventio, Catholic University’s student-run multidisciplinary undergraduate research journal. The 10th volume of Inventio will be published this semester and will be available in print on University Research Day; Editor-in-Chief Trinity Ruiz (Philosophy ‘25, English minor) notes that “This volume celebrates the culmination of a decade’s worth of distinguished student research. We are also proud to share our new initiative, Aspectus, which publishes students’ short academic essays on a monthly basis. This initiative will continue Inventio’s mission of providing an avenue for students to showcase academic writing they are passionate about. Aspectus is the product of ten years of effort to promote student academic research and writing.”

In its 3rd year is Vermilion, the university’s student-run online magazine of literature and the arts, which, according to Co-Editor-in-Chief David Moretti (English ‘25) “highlights the beautiful art and writing of the CUA community - current students, alumni, faculty, and staff - and strives to be a home for all artists and writers.” Co-Editor-in-Chief Lauren McGinn (Philosophy ‘25) adds that “Vermilion is the plumage of the artistic community of CUA. The work we receive, cherish, and curate is the evidence of vigorous artistic journey and lively flight. It is a pleasure to serve such an enlivened and joyful community.” The Spring 2025 issue of Vermilion will be published in April and you can receive updates and news from the magazine by signing up for its newsletter.

For both the members of our community who are here with us on campus and for those of you who are farther away, we invite you to read and submit your writing to these excellent student publications and, in this way, continue sharing in this work - in the miraculous task of living.

Taryn Okuma
Clinical Ordinary Professor of English
Faculty Advisor, Inventio and Vermilion
Associate Director, Writing & Rhetoric Program