By Will Norton Jr.
Dean of the college
It is often easy to forget that a professional program is only as strong as its connections with various industries it is preparing graduates to serve.
For that reason, we have worked diligently to connect ourselves with our alumni, scanning one computer list after another, talking with alumni, doing surveys, asking for input everywhere we know. Your involvement with us keeps us informed about the various media industries we serve and allows you to keep up –to-date on our goals and objectives and daily activities. That is one reason for this alumni newsletter.
We also are trying to continue Dean Copple’s practice of involving graduates of other departments with us. Through a generous grant form the Hearst Foundation, professionals visit the campus each semester to speak to classes, have conversations with faculty and enjoy the great Midwest. Moreover, Charlyne Berens, assistant to the dean, continues to represent the college at Journalism Alumni Association meetings.
Another vehicle for professional involvement is our planning. Each department of the college is developing a five-year plan of its role and mission and its priorities. To assist in that, each department has an advisory committee of professionals who are visiting the college this year. The committees for advertising and news-editorial already have been on campus, and the broadcasting committee will be here in March.
Before the on-campus visit, each committee member receives a packet that includes the role and mission statement of the college, syllabi for the department, resumes of faculty, the last accrediting reports and the history of the college. After the committee arrives on campus and meets with me, the associate dean and the chair of the appropriate department, We talk about our perceptions and our questions concerning the department and then leave so the chair can discuss his perspective. The committee then has meetings with students and faculty. At noon, the committee has lunch with faculty from units outside the college. By mid-afternoon, the committee gathers to discuss the report. Priorities are set, and a report is roughed out.
The committee then meets with me, Dr. Shipley and the chair of the department. The chair leads a discussion in which an oral report is presented. We take notes during the oral report and prepare a written report for the committee chair within a few days after the committee leaves the campus. The chair goes over the report and makes suggestions before we mail it to all members of the committee for their input. They send their responses to the committee chair who the gives us a final, written report.
That report is distributed to the faculty as advice from professionals to guide them in their planning.
During the months after the report, each department develops a five-year plan that will be used in setting budgets and hiring faculty.