The Department of Communication held two forums last month to allow students to present their concerns to the faculty and staff.

Adjunct professor Dr. Norman Clark was one of the organizers of the forums. “The purpose of the forums was to get input from students on the negatives and positives of the department,” he said.

Four points were covered at the forums, said junior communication major Beth Bliss.  

The points were class availability, resources such as computers, communication between students and faculty and between faculty and the university and course content.

Faculty members were present to hear student concerns and to improve communication between the two, according to Bliss.

“My main concern is whether students are having difficulties getting the classes they need,” said Assistant Professor Dr. Paul Gates. 

Clark said the main concern presented by the students was the lack of space and resources.  He also said some students find scheduling to be a problem at times.  

Gates said one of his major concerns is that classrooms and faculty offices for the Department of Communication are in separate buildings, causing problems for students.  Clark said being separated into two buildings leaves the department without a sense of unity.  

Gates said the fact that the administration was represented was  important, because they heard the students present their concerns.  Gates said that Dean of Fine and Applied Arts Dr. Ming H. Land and Wilbur Ward were present at the forums.

Sophomore Amelia Mann agreed with Gates.  “The students involved were articulate in presenting their concerns,” Mann said.

Bliss said one reason for the forums in her opinion was to improve the communication between the students and the faculty.

There was a representative mix of students present at the forums, according to Bliss.  She added that the students got their concerns across.

The forums took place on March 11 and March 18.