There is a possibility that Scripps Hall, which once had complete exclusivity, may not be used strictly for journalism courses in the upcoming academic year.
“Our priority category has changed,” said Bob Stewart, director of the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism. “Before we had complete control.”
Under previous policy, rooms in Scripps Hall were considered to be excluded classrooms, but they will change to priority classrooms.
Policy 01.024 was introduced in April 2011 and is currently in the process of being formally approved by the Provost’s Office. The policy, which is titled Space Utilization and Scheduling, includes two levels of priority.
“There is priority scheduling and this is where the unit, which can be a college or a department, has priority scheduling, which means they have scheduling rights over a specific period of time for the creation of the schedule,” said Jeffrey Giesey, co-director of the quarters-to-semesters transition.
“Up until this date you can go and fill up the room when you want but after that time it can be scheduled by the registrar who has control of the room and they can put whatever course there.”
Hugh Martin, an associate professor with the Scripps School, did not schedule journalism classes for Scripps Hall until after the university deadline of June 8, 2011 had passed.
“Our building was filled with other classes,” Stewart said. “You have to watch the deadline which is critical, there is a rigid scheduling scheme so the university wants to use every square inch of the campus.”
According to OU’s course offering schedule, The Black Woman and Introduction to Public Health will be taught in Scripps Hall under the current schedule.
“The university made a commitment that this would be the college of communication,” Stewart said. “I don’t think a health course should be taught here (in Scripps Hall).”
Aimee Edmondson, an assistant professor, said she was surprised when she found out her fall semester communication law class is going to be held at Seigfred Hall instead of Scripps Hall.
“That’s definitely going to be a truck off campus,” Edmondson said. “I think it will work though because journalism professors usually don’t have as much contact with the vis-Com professors. I think it is unusual to see this cross-pollination.”
Taylor Petras, a freshman studying journalism, said it would be unfortunate if other classes would use Scripps Hall.
“I really think it would take away from the fact that it’s a journalism school if it isn’t limited to journalism classes,” Petras said. “It will alter the reputation of the school and Scripps won’t seem like a journalism school as much.”
Edmondson said she can see how J-School students feel territorial when it comes to Scripps Hall.
“I hope as many J-School classes next year are in Scripps as possible,” she said. “We do have such an identity and a brand and so much school pride.”
bc822010@ohiou.edu
