Sam Smith / Editor in Chief
sam.smith@fiusm.com
The merger between FIU’s College of Architecture and the Arts and School of Journalism and Mass Communication, which was approved in December 2015, began Jan. 4.
With the goal of integrating into a new college which has yet to be named, SJMC is now in the process of being folded into the larger CARTA.
Tuesday, Jan. 12 and Wednesday, Jan. 20, from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. at BBC in ACII room 161, students will have the opportunity to meet CARTA Dean Brian Schriner, now serving as the dean of the new college, and Juliet Pinto, who was named interim executive director of SJMC.
Students will also be able to ask questions and learn about the integration process between the two schools over refreshments.
Pinto is an associate professor at the SJMC’s journalism and broadcasting department, and co-wrote and co-produced two documentaries regarding environmental changes in South Florida, “South Florida’s Rising Seas” and “Best Short Film Award” winner at the 2014 DocMiami International Film Festival, “South Florida’s Rising Seas: Impact.”
With more than 25 years in professor and administrative positions in higher education, Schriner has been the dean of CARTA since 2011. He is credited with growing the college significantly during his time as dean, and has been granted multiple awards for excellence in teaching.
New policies, governing documents and structures will be created, and the combination of advising, facilities, equipment, recruitment and staffing. SJMC Professor Frederick Blevens has been charged with the responsibility of integrating SJMC and CARTA’s curricula.
Despite the reorganization, the SJMC, based on BBC, will not relocate, and students are expected to see little change. As reported last November, though, Provost Furton expects that more Communication Arts courses will be offered at the North Campus.
Among the goals for the integration of the schools are the reduction of the number of administrators without cutting faculty and increasing enrollment at BBC.
The merger between the schools is scheduled to be complete by June 30, 2016.
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