The Department of Communication has undergone major construction to both its classrooms and curriculum. Thirteen classrooms in Xavier Hall have been outfitted with new media equipment as well as an audio/video studio and a collaboration center.

“This space gives us the ability to prepare our students for jobs in the 21st century,” Communication Department Chair Kathleen Farrell said.

Construction on this project started May 23rd with each room featuring different media technology. The audio/video studio features vibration-resistant tile to keep the cameras still and its own control room, to be used for meteorology and production classes in the near future.

Students are also free to work in the collaboration center featuring new Mac computers with professional series keyboards for multimedia production. The center features Smart Boards to plan presentations or do multimedia work and space that will allow students to work outside of class.

One classroom has 12 Mac computers with dual monitors for audio and video editing. Also installed was a small group interview room featuring teleconference technology to be used for practicing interviews.

The department has also purchased 50 audio kits and 50 video kits with tripods for students to check out for course work. This equipment will be checked out to Communication students first, but will be offered to other students depending on their course work. Students will be able to store this and other media equipment in new red lockers installed on the second floor.

“We want students to be able to use technology in and out of the classroom,” Farrell said.

The Communication major has also been revised as it now includes four tracks of study including leadership and organizing, advertising and public relations, communication and culture and journalism and media studies. Upperclassmen Communication majors don’t need to choose a track, but will be allowed to take new classes as they are offered.

“I really want to go into journalism and I am happy that the Communication Department has a track that specifically fits my career goals,” freshman Communication student Kristin Miano said.

Three staff members have already been hired to teach new courses this semester including Christopher Chávez, Assistant Professor of Social Influence; Mary Gould, Assistant Professor of Digital Storytelling; and Cynthia Graville-Smith, Coordinator and Instructor of the new Communication Media Lab. The department is currently searching to add four more staff members to teach new classes in the spring semester.