Most of the people I know tell me that I go on tangents-about things that don’t concern them. They say I should express my opinions to the people who are actually involved. So, here we go.

My biggest problem lately has been Saint Louis University. Don’t get me wrong, this is a great university, and the $26,000 annual tuition bill can back its greatness. My problem with SLU is that they have their “top” programs, and then they have their programs that coexist to satisfy students that don’t aspire to be doctors, nurses, physical therapists, lawyers or business majors.

I came to SLU from a community college in Kansas City because I saw The University News at a convention. The fact that The University News is independent, student run and one of the best papers in the nation attracted me to SLU. A paper of that caliber had to have a solid journalism department to help shape and mold the already great writing and photography. This is why students should do deep research instead of assuming, like I did.

In my two and a half years at SLU, I have seen a whole campus dedicated to medicine (remember the purchase of the old Incarnate Word/Compton Heights Hospital to expand the medical program and draw closer in the medical race with Washington University), and the John C. Cook School of Business (with a beautiful complex that sells somewhat fresh pastries). But, I don’t receive any benefits of these changes.

I saw an entire photo studio (equipped with make-up rooms, smaller studio space and an area the size of the commuter student commons in lower BMC, that could have been used as class space or space for a mass photo shoot) at the end of the Frost campus get bought out. Just because SLU could.

What I haven’t seen is similar advancement in the Communication department. If you are a communication major, your classes are in a converted high school and grade school.

You can’t get into a popular class because there is only one section being offered. I don’t blame the instructors, but the deans and the board of trustees must be held responsible.

If you want to enroll into Computer Based Design (CMMA 253-01), you can’t! It’s full, because there are only 20 computers for 250 communication majors. Even though SLU doesn’t have a prominent radio station and a television station, the Communication department requires you take audio-visual script writing in order to graduate with a communication degree; oh yeah, it is only offered once a year.

I know that I sound opinionated, maybe biased and, yes, my thoughts are sometimes jaded, but this is why SLU won’t find itself climbing the charts as a “best buy” by Newsweek magazine anytime soon.

If you want to teach communication, you know, theory, research and so forth, SLU is the place to be. But if you want to get your hands dirty in the industry like newspaper writing, photojournalism, advertising, graphic arts and radio, SLU isn’t for you. Webster, UMSL, even Meremac Community College have better programs than SLU does.

SLU needs to recognize that they have 50-plus students working at The University News, and it competes with University of Missouri, which has an undergrad journalism department and one of the top graduate programs for journalism in the country. KSLU has 50 to 60 students that have shows, run PR for the concerts and events that they book and manage.

But, if these two organizations were to fold or magically disappear, would any of the big wigs at SLU care? Probably not, since The University News was almost shutdown in 1998-99 by SLU, and KSLU lost their bid for a low-power FM frequency last year, which would have drawn more interest by students and could generate more revenue for KSLU by selling ads. Did SLU do anything to help KSLU? No.

I understand SLU is taking great measures to become a research university I think if more money and attention were given to the Communication department, there would be more communication majors and more sections of popular classes offered.

But, until the Communication department garners more support than the growth of Grand Center by SLU, the technological and journalism aspects of the Communication department will continue to be strapped.

Cory Weaver is a senior majoring in communication.