Over on one end of the campus they are building a convocation center that will celebrate and promote athleticism. On another part of campus they are debating whether to downgrade a department to a program, defoliating, if you will, an important path to a meaningful profession.
The University of Rhode Island for some time has had a reputable journalism program that has produced qualified and competent journalists, many of whom go on to careers in the news or communications industries not only in Rhode Island, but across the nation.
The debate over the viability of the journalism department is not new, but it is most disturbing that it continues at a time when the ability to disseminate information has become so critical to virtually everything that we do.
In this technological world, the Internet has given us far more outlets to gather information. We call this a technological revolution, but maybe it is better named an information revolution. And the conveyers of that information often are those who ply their craft in journalism, in one form or another. No longer is it just the traditional newspaper or magazine, radio news or television stations. It is the Internet and specialized newsletters, niche publications and Web sites.
We have been supporters of the building of the convocation center, but it seems ironic that the university would pursue the building and upgrading of athletics with such vigor, while debating whether to eliminate such an important academic department.
University of Rhode Island journalism graduates are sprinkled throughout the media outlets of our state — print and electronic. Here at Providence Business News, Michael Pare, our managing editor, and Bethany Costello, a reporter who this year is receiving the Small Business Adminis-tration’s journalism award, are products of that program.
This should not be a time to debate a downgrading of the URI journalism program, but rather an upgrading to make it among the premier programs in the Northeast. Members of the journalism department suggest that this is a healthy program, with some 130 students enrolled.
But the importance of the department goes well beyond the classroom, and the graduates who are filling important communications jobs. It goes to the profession itself and the importance of maintaining journalism programs that are often at the center of organizations that only serve to improve the profession. The Rhode Island Press Association, for instance, provides career development programs and important forums that help journalists — URI graduates or not — improve their craft. At the center of RIPA are those from the URI journalism program, who frankly are the lifeblood of this organization.
The department itself sponsors forums on important issues in the field of journalism, in particular, discussions relative to the First Amendment.
As information becomes more accessible — and the filtering of valid information more difficult — it is essential that we do whatever we can to assure that those entrusted with conveying this information receive the very best training.
Here’s a strong vote for improving — not downgrading — the URI journalism department.
After all, if it is important to build structures that promote athletics, it is equally important to build programs that develop the mind.
