Just to update you on the University of Maryland's decision on the
undergraduate PR program:
On Wednesday, the faculty of the journalism college voted 10-9-1
(abstention) to remove all of its specializations (sequences such as PR,
broadcast journalism, news editorial). The big difference is that whereas
the other sequences retain their courses, the public relations one gets
phased out abruptly (although the students enrolled in it now are legally
entitled to finish their program).
Just to make a long story a bit shorter, there is a mess of political and
personal agendas behind this decision and behind the whole process from
which this decision came. In my opinion, this decision can be
traced back in no uncertain terms to the dean of the college, Reese
Cleghorn, and his highly irrationally charged personal vendetta against
Lauri and Jim Grunig. Many of us have commented about the soap operatic
nature of this crisis, which, unfortunately, is real life, not mediated
fiction. It truly is an unbelievable sight to witness.
Our next step is to take this and the communication blitz (e-mail
messages, telephone calls, faxes) to the provost of our university.
His name is Dr. Gregory Geoffroy
his number is 301-405-1603
his e-mail is [log in to unmask]
I know some of you have already written to him, but I also know that he
simply forwarded the calls and e-mails to the dean (on whom they were
lost). Now that it has gotten past the college level, it will be under
Dr. Geoffroy's jurisdiction.
Thank you for your previous support. Please, if it is at all possible,
send out another e-mail or make another call on behalf of the program and
on behalf of public relations itself, as a field and profession. If you
know of anyone who may be concerned about this matter as we all are,
please forward this message to them.
Feel free to ask me any questions on this matter.
Again, much appreciated,
Virginia
Virginia T. Rodino
301-699-8672
The University of Maryland
[log in to unmask]
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