NGLISH DEPARTMENTS from 18 public and private colleges and universities have formed the Western New York Organization of English Departments (WNYOED) to discuss and pursue matters of common concern and serve as an advocacy group for improved English education in Western New York.

Kenneth Dauber, professor and chair of the UB Department of English, initiated the group's formation. He was asked to serve for one year as chair, with Carol Jamieson of Niagara County Community College as vice chair. The group will be headed by one representative from a four-year institution and one from a two-year institution.

Dauber said the group will coordinate and share institutional information and possibly alter policies to ease transfer of students. Stressing the importance of writing, the group will examine how English composition might be best taught at area colleges.

Members also are interested in developing ways of attracting more African Americans, Hispanic Americans and other ethnic groups to the field of English education and in drawing those already in the field to Western New York.

In addition to UB and Niagara County Community College, member colleges are: D'Youville, Buffalo State, Hilbert, Houghton, ECC City Campus, Villa Maria, ECC South, Jamestown Community, ECC North, Canisius, Genesee Community, Fredonia State, Medaille, Daemen, Monroe Community and Niagara University.