A once state-of-the-art television studio in the Volpe Library now belongs to the Department of Communication following a move to the College of Interdisciplinary Studies.
Almost two years ago, faculty and staff began discussing why a move would be beneficial to the department. Faculty voted in favor of the move in February 2018.
Before a move could be official, Chairwoman Brenda Wilson and fellow colleagues appeared before Tech administration. Three major benefits presented were to increase enrollment, improve retention and increase graduate enrollment.
Provost Lori Bruce presented the transfer request to President Phil Oldham. At the Board of Trustees meeting on March 21, an agenda item summary page stated that the transfer “received appropriate University approvals.” The move became official on July 1, 2019.
“It’s more of an organizational chart move than a physical move,” Wilson said. “We feel like it’s positive change. It’s an opportunity to develop programs as we grow in enrollment.”
Two of these programs are broadcasting and multimedia.
Senior exit surveys showed that senior-level communication students wished to see more of these types of classes, according to Wilson. Acquiring the television studio opens up the potential to expand the hands-on curriculum of these classes.
The studio is located on the first floor of the Volpe Library.
“The university thought it would be good for it to be under an academic unit, and we wanted to do more with it,” she said. “We’re already offering experience using it.”
One student is taking on the project of learning how to use the equipment in order to work alongside students to create broadcast content that will be featured on Tech’s campus.
“We would eventually like to offer a broadcast program,” Wilson said.
Diana Monk’s “Introduction to Broadcasting” class will use the studio first once it is set up and ready for student use, according to Wilson.
Photo by Alexis Agee.
