8- The Michigan Daily - Wednesday, August 3, 1994 Committee will attempt to improve education in communication dept. By Beth Harris DAILY STAFF REPORTER On June 13, LSA Dean Edie N. Goldenberg commissioned a commit- tee to decide the fate of the troubled communication department. But, even this simple step has brought more criti- cism. Goldenberg selected the commit- tee in hopes of correcting many prob- lems that have plagued the department foryears.Although those involved with the committee expressed optimism about the changes, some faculty mem- bers are questioning how well the group will operate. Several faculty members said they feared retaliation by the University administration for speaking negatively about the committee, and expressed concerns such as time restraints on the group and the under-representation of thecommunication department faculty only two out of five members. But committee chair John Chamberlin, LSA associate dean for academic appointments, said he has confidence in the committee's ability to reshape the department. "We will be able to address matters presented to us in the charge from the dean. We have appropriate representa- tion from the department," he said. Vincent Price, associate professor of communication and assistant de- partment chair, is also amember of the council and agrees with Chamberlin. "Personally,I'mnotconcerned with ilding the ability of the committee. Internal and external people are needed. We need as much experience as possible. Most of those members (outside of the communicationdepartment)havecon- siderable administrative experience," Price said. The committee plans to improve the future of the department by formu- lating a better curriculum to improve communicationeducation. For thepast 15 years, the department has been try- ing to find a way to better meet the needs of communication students. "We don't have the 'professional' bent as other schools do. We are not trying to train students professionally at the undergraduate level. Rather, we are hoping to provide students with a curriculum that focuses around a num- ber of liberal arts disciplines, such as history or political science," Chamberlin said. How specialized the department will become is one question the committee will wrestle with, Chamberlin said. "The communication curriculum still bears the marks of a marriage between the speech departments and the journalism department. A problem we have now is that the faculty are just not available to teach the classes," Chamberlin added. Some University faculty agree that this is an issue the committee should address. "I think that (the group) will have to try to be innovative, but that's often hard at such a conservative place. If they look and see what the possibili- ties can be, they will benefit the stu- dents greatly who want to learn what we have to teach," said Communica- tion Lecturer Joan Lowenstein. Committee members and faculty said student input will be sought, al- though no definite plans have been arranged yet. Chamberlin said the council plans to contact graduate and undergraduate students for input, possibly through a survey of communication students. "We will find ways and meet wi students, but the best opinions are pro- vided by tenured professors of the University and those with a familiarity with departmental administration," Chamberlin said. Students, however, believe their input is just as valuable. "I hope they gather student input because thestudentssee first-hand what is going on in the classroom," said Erin O'Brien, an LSA senior. In a memo sent to LSA faculty, Goldenberg announced that an assis- tant to the dean will be appointed to handle some LSA affairs while Chamberlin is busy with the communi- cation department. "The assistant will do some things I do and some things that just aren't getting done," Chamberlin said. Also, some faculty members are unhappy that Andrea Press, women's studies and communication lecturer, will be flown in from Illinois for weekly meetings, an added expense on the University budget. Despite these concerns, Press is worth the expense, Price said. "(Press) has been involved in critical studies at the University. Her membership on the council will provide us with a lot ('I insight. It's a sensible arrangement as far asI can see." Up, up and away Children scurry to pop a soap bubble between the Modern Language Bu and the Michigan League on Monday evening. I mSS Continued from page 1 the pow-wow willgoahead as planned for next year. 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Visit Sanctuary, a medieval town where brave knights and powerful sorcerors - t battle cruel tyrants and evil necromancers and YOU can be any of the above. Cll (810) 795-1409 (ri ut a-ev , Be a that You Can't Be" backfromthe actualorganizationofthe event, Dashner hopes to contribute. Dean of Students Royster Harper said several factors contributed to the decision to transfer Dashner and Robinson. They both will have the opportunity to connect their talents t other areas, while they are opening positionsinMinorityStudentsServices, Harpersaid. "We also don't want any- one toget pigeonholedin aposition." A committee of students, fac- ulty and staff will begin to search for replacements for both Robinson and Dashner in September. Harper said she feels that it is in the office's best interest to wait until the fa~l term so that the students will be fairly represented. Harper recognized the situation as a Catch 22. "If we are going to maintain integrity to student involve- ment, then we must be temporarily at a loss. We'll have to be creative and scramble a bit," Harper said. Harper emphasized that these changes arein personnel only. A com- mitteeinthefall willmakesuggestion abouthow Minority Students Services can betterservethestudents, but there are no definite changes within the office planned for the near future.