In recent meetings with the journalism department it was agreed that everyone wants the program to move forward.  It is disappointing though to see that there is no long range plan currently  in place for the journalism department.  I believe there are a number of issues which must be addressed in order for the program to improve and will discuss them in the letter as I doubt the sincerity to which they are being dealt with.

CLASSES: From the many students I have spoken with, it is agreed that more journalism classes need to be offered.  These could include "Media and Society," "Media Law," or "Computer Assisted Reporting" to name a few.  While I realize money is required for additional classes to be taught, this is a necessity.  If the university is serious about the program, and students are seeing as journalism is one of the 10 largest majors at Miami (more than literature), the money should follow.  It is asinine for the department to offer classes students are not interested in enrolling.  Ask a journalism professor when the last time they had an opening in a class was.

Students take classes but do not feel they are adequately prepared to work in a newsroom and they are not.  Few have had the experiences of covering a zoning meeting or interviewed the board of education.  Few have searched for public record or would know how to go about covering a police beat.  These are important skills that are necessary to any entry level position.  I recognize Miami does not view itself as a vocational school,  but for the program to gain any kind of respect, student placement in the work force is essential.  I see myself as a qualified candidate for many jobs in the journalism field as I have spent substantial time on the school paper and immersed myself in a number of internships.  Last year, the English Department itself awarded me the Montaine Award, given annually to top journalism students.  Yet, when I am still denied an interview by employers because I do not have formal training in topics such as computer assisted reporting, there is a problem with the system.

Also, the program is held back by a number of non-journalism majors taking journalism classes.  If the communications department is interested in having their students take our classes, then perhaps they can help with our funding and throw in a professor for their own 211 and 212 classes.  I feel it is a waste of my time and the professor’s time to repeat AP style over and over again to the public relations major who cares more about their GPA than their future career.

INTERNSHIPS: I am aware that the internship program has been a point of contention for many years, but I believe if serious progress is to be made, it must be made in this area.  Many of Miami’s journalism students are good enough for metropolitan papers but do not receive the opportunity.  It is time for internship placement to be worked out with major papers in order for Miami students to succeed.  While there is merit in having internships from the Oxford Press and Middletown Journal on a regular basis, there needs to be a more motivating program for students who could easily meet these requirements by the end of their sophomore year.

The quality of journalism students here is high.  I proudly state that as editor in chief of The Miami Student, we have received high amounts of national recognition in recent years.  At the National College Media Convention, The Student was ranked third in its division and our entertainment subsidy amusement placed fourth.  In this year’s Society of Professional Journalists Mark of Excellence Awards, The Student was named the best overall paper in its division, beating out media from three states.  We have qualified for nationals and are already one of the top 12 papers in the country.  This year, the University of Missouri-Columbia, one of the top J-schools in the country, beat us in competition by one place.  Miami journalism students are ready to be a major contender, it is a shame the program is not.

I came to Miami because of its academic reputation as a whole.  I knew if I wanted strictly a journalism background I could have attended Ohio University or the University of Texas.  However, my journalism experience in class has been sub-par.  I would hope that Miami would care enough to improve this crucial department, rather than face the atrocity of losing talented high school journalism students each year because it decided to rest on its laurels.

I am not displeased with the journalism program, although I did once comment that I should be reimbursed for one teacher’s performance on an evaluation, I only hope for more.  There is room for improvement that I hope for future students’ sake, will be made.  If you would like to respond to my letter, please reach me at [log in to unmask] or 664-7768.

Thank you,
Mike Gruss