Associate Vice Chancellor for Faculty Affairs and Chair of the Program Discontinuance Committee Jeff Cox listens as a student voices her opinions on the possible discontinuance of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication. The SJMC is currently operating normally and will allow all currently enrolled students to finish their degrees. (CU Independent/Rob Denton)
As the Academic Review and Planning Advisory Committee sat overlooking a room full of concerned students, parents and faculty members, one thing was made clear by those who spoke: CU-Boulder’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication offers a strong program for students, but has room to grow.
On Tuesday, an open forum was held for students to voice their input on the formal process of program discontinuance. It served as a platform to address questions and concerns about the future of the SJMC.
“They were very passionate, but not with angry spirits,” said Associate Vice Chancellor for Faculty Affairs, Jeff Cox, who moderated the forum. “The intention was to listen and hear them. It was impressive.”
Deborah Hollis, associate professor of University Libraries and a committee member, said many views were shared by attendees, who arrived in surprisingly high numbers.
A common suggestion was that while current media culture accepts the potential change toward an integration of media technology, traditional journalism values should remain.
“I hope the new fundamentals of journalism will stay,” said Kiki Turner, a freshman journalism student. “I hope that while we take a step into the future, the old-fashioned ways will stay intact.”
A question was asked about the future of graduate students from the SJMC. The question concerned whether prospective employers and the community will look down upon a program that could potentially be closing.
“We are doing as much as we can to minimize the impact,” Cox said. “By the end of this year, we hope there will be some clarity as to where we are. A lot of other journalism schools around the country are closing and re-organizing. These discussions are not unique here. They occur on any campus where people are paying attention to what is going on.”
The issue of what will become of students currently enrolled, and in pre-journalism, was raised. Cox said it is important to understand the commitment the school has made to all students.
“Even if it was decided to cease programs and even if we decide to do something now, it would be three years before that and your future is secure,” he said.
He also said hopeful applicants would still be reviewed and considered, but if the school is to close, that must stop at some point.
The reason for seeking discontinuance is technical and a tool the campus is providing as opposed to budget cuts, he said.
“If campus wants to move forward [with the process], it can do so in an orderly fashion,” he said.
Some students said the exploratory board would benefit from the membership of faculty within the SJMC instead of from outside, as no journalism representatives are currently on the committee.
Senior News-Editorial major Gwen Cameron, 21, implores the Program Discontinuance Committee to keep the fundamentals of journalism in any future program at a School of Journalism and Mass Communication open forum on Sept. 14. The SJMC is operating normally and will allow all currently enrolled students to finish their degrees. 'I just really love the word journalism,' said Cameron, she then added how the term journalism conveys a sense of mystery, ethics and most of all truth. (CU Independent/Rob Denton)
At this time, the committee does not know what position it will take, but will continue the exploratory process, said professor of political studies Sam Fitch.
Sixty days are provided to work on the report given to the CU Board of Regents. A decision should be clear by Feb. 1.
A faculty forum was held Sept. 7 and 8, which was not as well attended. The forum brought together faculty members who were in defense of the school and their current positions. It also addressed decisions to be made by various stakeholders, said Gil Asakawa, media advisor to the CU Independent.
To voice concerns or comments about the Program Discontinuance process and the Academic Review and Planning Advisory Committee, contact arpac@colorado.edu or comm.input@colorado.edu.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Christine Larsen at Christine.larsen@colorado.edu.
