Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1978 [PAGE 315]

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BOARD OF TRUSTEES

[June 15

The chancellor at Chicago Circle and the vice president for academic affairs recommend approval. The University Senates Conference has indicated that no further senate jurisdiction is involved. I recommend approval, subject to further action by the Illinois Board of Higher Education.

On motion of Mr. Livingston, this recommendation was approved.

Interim Program in Radio-TV Instruction, Urbana (Report for Information)

(16) The TJrbana-Champaign Senate has recommended that an interim program in radio-TV be put into effect with the fall semester 1978, by which time students presently majoring in radio-TV should have completed their course of study. The interim program would be administered by a committee with representatives from the various units in the College of Communications and would consist of seven courses.1 Students wishing to study broadcasting would major in either advertising or journalism. The interim program would replace the present curriculum and put into abeyance the present departmental structure and degree programs in radio-TV while the college decides on its long-range plans for broadcast instruction and research. Neither the budget nor faculty are judged large enough to maintain a high quality, comprehensive program of teaching and research in broadcasting. Until the college has explored the possibilities of outside funding and adopted a longrange plan for broadcasting instruction and research, the proposed interim program would provide a broadcast news option for journalism majors, as well as basic instruction in broadcasting for other students in the college and, to the extent that resources permit, for students outside the college. The amount of savings that would be realized through this change in program is uncertain due to uncertain student demand for the proposed courses and the extent to which two members of the Division of Broadcasting are able to continue unpaid teaching in the program. Should savings be realized, a part would be used to strengthen broadcast research and graduate study in the Institute of Communications Research, and a part would be used to strengthen broadcast journalism.

Prior to receiving this report, President Howard recognized Miss Ann Anderson, representing the Illinois News Broadcasters Association (INBA), who spoke briefly and presented a written statement, a copy of which is filed with the secretary for record. Briefly, the statement expressed opposition to the action contemplated, characterizing it as an effort "to dismantle the radio-television program now, with no assurance a viable broadcast journalism sequence will be developed within the Department of Journalism..." The INBA urged the trustees to refer the matter to a study committee to help decide which course broadcast journalism education would take at the University. Following discussion and questions of Miss Anderson, the board received the report without further action.

1 R-TV 252, Television Laboratory; R-TV 261, Principles of Radio and Television Broadcasting; R-TV 291, Special Problems; R-TV 355, Television News; R-TV 368, Radio and Television Regulations: R-TV 462, Seminar in Radio and Television (same as Communications 462); R-TV 463, World Broadcasting (same as Communications 463).