Journalism (old article)

PUBLISHED ON WARCHANT ON 8/1/2000

Journalism School By Dynasty Nole Date: 8/1/2000 Florida State now has a medical school but what about a journalism school? There was such a school at one time but it was eliminated because UF already had a journalism school. Perhaps it's time FSU got their school back.

College of Journalism and Mass Communications? Recently Jeb Bush signed into law the new Florida State University Medical School. This is the first new medical school to open in the United States in over 20 years. This is the academic equivalent to winning a handful of national championships, and I might add, LONG overdue.

The last 10-15 years have been the best Florida State University has seen academically. The first capital campaign began the greatest increases our endowment has ever seen. The National Magnetic Lab was established, Dr. Robert Holton patented the artificial synthesis of Taxol, the current entering freshman class averages close to a 3.8 GPA and 1200 SAT, and it seems like it has only begun. Loyal Florida State University supporters might ask what is next on the board to continue the academic improvement of our university. A tough question indeed.

The university needs improvement in it's endowment, additional academic offerings, better support of current programs, increased scholarships, investments in technology, and many other areas. Recently though, many FSU supporters have called for the creation of a School of Journalism. The irony in this is that many decades ago, FSU did have a School of Journalism.

In 1949, the Florida State School of Journalism was established. Roughly a decade later the Board of Controls (now the Board of Regents) decided to eliminate the school. The reasons for this are sketchy at best and not well documented. The official reason was to eliminate "duplication" (at the time UF also had a School of Journalism). When was the last college eliminated at UF?

Possibly, with the growing support from FSU alumni/supporters and today's information driven society, the time is ripe for the reestablishment of a School of Journalism. FSU has a successful College of Communications that could feasibly incorporate a Journalism degree to form the FSU College of Journalism and Mass Communication. FSU has a wide assortment of degrees and programs that would benefit from this addition and complete the education experience for Seminole students.

Ultimately, the addition of Journalism to the Florida State curriculum would require an extensive effort from Florida State, its alumni and supporters. First a concerted effort by Florida State is needed. One where the desire for the creation of this School is agreed upon, as well as its direction. Secondly, FSU alumni/supporters must back this School, and lastly, but not least, the State Legislature and Board of Regents would need to reverse their position and allow FSU to reopen it's School of Journalism.

Today FSU is on the verge of matching the success of football team in the academic arena. Remember how the football team entered the big time in football 10-15 years ago? The same thing is happening in the classroom. But the current momentum must be continued and in some cases increased to reach our ultimate goal.

The Tallahassee Democrat wrote on this subject back in 1973 calling for the reinstatement of the FSU School of Journalism. An Opportunity for FSU.