Spring Break
The Daily OrangeAccreditation committee visits Newhouse
By Laura Foti
Posted: 10/13/09, 2:26 AM EST Section: News
In an effort to stay nationally competitive, Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications is currently undergoing a re-accreditation review by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications.
"For students and parents who understand a school's real value, accreditation plays a large role," said Lorraine Branham, dean of Newhouse.
"It's like having the stamp of approval," she said. "If you go to a program that is accredited, you know you are going to receive a certain level of education."
Members of the council will be at Newhouse through Wednesday, looking at how the school has changed curriculum and programs to confront new technology and changing communication platforms. The council will measure Newhouse against the other 1,200 communication schools across the country.
"The world is going digital," Branham said. "The industries we serve are going digital so we are making changes in our curriculum."
Newhouse has been accredited since 1948 and is one of 114 journalism and mass communications schools accredited in the United States. To remain competitive on the national level and keep up with industry standards, Newhouse has addressed the growing concerns of new media platforms.
The team also sits in on classes to examine whether or not Newhouse meets the nine standards of accreditation, some of which include curriculum, diversity and inclusiveness, student services, resources, facilities and equipment.
The accreditation process takes place every six years. After an extensive one-year self-study by a Newhouse committee, the school sends the council its findings and invites them to campus. The council then conducts extensive interviews with all faculty members and a group of 30 to 40 volunteer students.
When the process is finished, the council will give the public and Branham a report of its findings. Newhouse then has time to address the findings if necessary before the committee makes a final decision on whether or not to re-accredit Newhouse in the spring of 2010.
Branham said she's confident that both the technological and instructional advances undertaken at the school will cement Newhouse's standing as one of the nation's best communication schools. Branham, who has been through the accreditation process outside of Newhouse, acknowledged that there is always room for improvement.
"We want to be one of the schools to set the agenda for the future - not just to follow but to lead the industry as it grapples with the problems that we face, such as creating a successful business model for the news industry," Branham said.
It will be important for the group of student volunteers to be honest with the visiting team, said Rosanna Grassi, Newhouse associate dean of student affairs.
"Our student's reaction is very important to us," Grassi said. "I would hope that the representation will be balanced. There probably will be positive and negative things addressed by students and we will go from there."
lefoti@syr.edu
"For students and parents who understand a school's real value, accreditation plays a large role," said Lorraine Branham, dean of Newhouse.
"It's like having the stamp of approval," she said. "If you go to a program that is accredited, you know you are going to receive a certain level of education."
Members of the council will be at Newhouse through Wednesday, looking at how the school has changed curriculum and programs to confront new technology and changing communication platforms. The council will measure Newhouse against the other 1,200 communication schools across the country.
"The world is going digital," Branham said. "The industries we serve are going digital so we are making changes in our curriculum."
Newhouse has been accredited since 1948 and is one of 114 journalism and mass communications schools accredited in the United States. To remain competitive on the national level and keep up with industry standards, Newhouse has addressed the growing concerns of new media platforms.
The team also sits in on classes to examine whether or not Newhouse meets the nine standards of accreditation, some of which include curriculum, diversity and inclusiveness, student services, resources, facilities and equipment.
The accreditation process takes place every six years. After an extensive one-year self-study by a Newhouse committee, the school sends the council its findings and invites them to campus. The council then conducts extensive interviews with all faculty members and a group of 30 to 40 volunteer students.
When the process is finished, the council will give the public and Branham a report of its findings. Newhouse then has time to address the findings if necessary before the committee makes a final decision on whether or not to re-accredit Newhouse in the spring of 2010.
Branham said she's confident that both the technological and instructional advances undertaken at the school will cement Newhouse's standing as one of the nation's best communication schools. Branham, who has been through the accreditation process outside of Newhouse, acknowledged that there is always room for improvement.
"We want to be one of the schools to set the agenda for the future - not just to follow but to lead the industry as it grapples with the problems that we face, such as creating a successful business model for the news industry," Branham said.
It will be important for the group of student volunteers to be honest with the visiting team, said Rosanna Grassi, Newhouse associate dean of student affairs.
"Our student's reaction is very important to us," Grassi said. "I would hope that the representation will be balanced. There probably will be positive and negative things addressed by students and we will go from there."
lefoti@syr.edu
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Jeff
posted 10/13/09 @ 10:07 AM EST
The problem with Newhouse is the school's inferior website. It's very frustating to use their website, considering they are supposed to be expert in the field. (Continued…)
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