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Show P age 8 The Thunderbird Wednesday May i9, 1985 Comm department considers dropping print media Although several students claim they were told decision was final officials now say matter only under study is , by Kon Kontogiannis that the department hopes to pool more money into the broadcasting department and consequently cut most of the print journalism classes. The student said he believes cutting print journalism from the curriculum would not only eliminate that particular emphasis, but it would also hurt broadcast journalists, who need a background in writing. Larry Baker, who is publications director and adviser to The Thunderbird, said phasing out the print journalism emphasis may spell the end to the student newspaper. The communication department has absolutely nothing to do with The Thunderbird other than that many of its students work for the paper. So, the department has absolutely no say in whether the paper is continued. They do not pay for the paper, the students and advertisers pay for the paper. But, it would be my very strong feeling that you could not have a student newspaper as we have come to know it if we did not have any students that want and seek training in newspapers, he said. Why would a student who wanted to be a print journalist come to a school that did not offer classes in print journalism? Baker said. Without such students, I dont think theres any way we could have a paper come up to the standards that we have attained and still desire. ' According to Baker, print journalism is essential to the profession no matter what aspect of journalism youre involved in. You rarely find a successful television or radio person who does not know how to write and hasnt worked in print journalism, he said. Communication department officials are studying the possibility of dropping the print journalism emphasis from the department, according to Frain Pearson, department head. Although Pearson said nothing has been decided yet, some of his students claim that the way it was announced made it sound as if the decision to drop the emphasis had been made. Pearson denies this and claims that he told his class that the department was only considering the change. Some print journalism students say Pearsofr advised them to transfer to another institution that offered print journalism. A shortage of faculty in the communications department has led the department to consider dropping some classes. Such a decision is only under consideration and should classes need to be dropped, they wont be for at least another year, according to Pearson. The idea of such a measure being taken was presented at a senior seminar and students were asked which emphasis in the department could most easily be eliminated. Votes varied as to what classes should be dropped; nobody wanted to see their classes dropped. To some students, particularly those involved with journalism, the departments finger appears to be pointing in the direction of the print journalism section, mainly because there are fewer students enrolled there. One student, who declined to be identified, believes Print journalism involves getting the facts, getting them right, getting them on time and putting them in manner that is pleasing to the readers, according to Baker. News is essential to people because they feel the need to know what is going on in the world if the government is overstepping its bounds, if zucchini squash will cost more next year and a multitude of things that cannot be covered in depth on television or radio, said Baker. Communication major Lynn Nolan learned in a conversation with Pearson that the department was considering dropping print journalism. I wasnt surprised when I heard it because I had already heard it as a rumor, said Nolan. I was sad and angry when I heard it. President Gerald R. Sherratt did say that a lot is trying to be done with the number of faculty available and that it may be necessary to narrow the focus of the department. Next fall we are bringing a group of educators from outside the state of Utah to analyze the communications curriculum and make recommendations to us, said Sherratt. Sherratt emphasized that if any area in the communications department were to be dropped it would be phased out and not done all in one year. At this stage nothing is policy. It could be that classes may be added. This procedure of bringing outside people to make recommendations will be done to all departments, added Sherratt. Fuller, Sterling acting lauded at theatre fete Gtah Shakespearean Festival & Patrick Sterling and Kristina Fuller were named best actor and best actress respectively for the 1984-8- 5 SUSC theatre season at the annual theatre department banquet Tuesday night. Sterling was given the award for his performance in The Crucible, and Fuller was named best actress for her work in The The Theatre and Dance Department present Importance of Being Earnest. Fred Adams, a member of the department faculty, also BROADWAY SHOW STOPPERS! announced next years theatrical season: Fall quarter will feature Our Town, directed by Doug Baker; a Stage II production of Constant Wife, directed by senior theatre department student Connie Layton; and The Rink, directed by Adams. Winter quarter will feature a Stage II production of Crimes of the Heart, directed by Baker, and Romeo and Juliet, directed by Scott A Musical Review Phillips. A Stage II production of Hedda Gabler, directed by Phillips, will epen spring quarter. Following that will be a production of the g Broadway hit musical A Chorus Line, directed by Adams. The banquet was an opportunity for theatre students to swap jabs, wish farewell to departing seniors and accept awards for contributions to department productions. The award for outstanding overall contribution to the department went to Rick Van Noy, and the prestigious Robin Bishop Memorial Award went to Tiya Coleman. The best supporting actress for the season was Karen Witzel, for her work in The Crucible. Mike Mitchie garnered the best supporting actor award for H.M.S. Pinafore. Kristin Catherall was named best performer in a Stage II production for her work in Whos Afraid of Virginia Woolf and Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean. Other awards went to Wendy S Turner (contribution to the Works in Progress program); R. Troy Lunt (best actor in a cameo role); Darrell Phillips and Patty Gordon (costume and make-up)- ; Debbie Grimshaw (scenery and props); and Katherine Larsen (lights and sound). The outstanding senior theatre student was David A. Mills. Cindy Robertson was named the outstanding junior student, and Robbie Young the outstanding sophomore student. The outstanding freshman was Michael Stiver. Among the other awards, Home Free was named the best play in the Works in Progress program, and Connie Layton was named best WIP director for that play. Todd Gibson was named best actor in a WIP production, and Lisa Berger was honored as best WIP actress. long-runnin- k nn ; - A ' L,,. rji 'dlhj -- ini j-- - trtiMMr tur il 1 'l fiirfu 4 h May 30, p.m. Thorley Recital Hall $4.00 at the door. All proceeds go to the Gtah Shakespearean Scholarship Fund. a 11 YjlXf iif |