SMC Transition Announcements

On June 21, the Temple University Board of Trustees voted to approve a plan to realign some of the departments within the School of Communications and Theater, effective July 1, 2012.

• The School of Communications and Theater will be renamed the School of Media and Communication. It will house the departments of Advertising; JournalismMedia Studies and Production (formerly BTMM); and Strategic Communication(including masters programs in Communication Management, Journalism and Media Studies and Production). Interdepartmental programs, including the Communication Studies undergraduate program and Mass Media and Communication doctoral program, will also be part of the School of Media and Communication.

• The Center for the Arts will house the Boyer School of Music and Dance and the Tyler School of Art, along with the Departments of Theater and Film and Media Arts, which will form the Division of Theater, Film and Media Arts.

Please read over these FAQs we have compiled to answer questions you may have about the realignment. We have included more specific questions for the various groups of people that will be impacted by the change.



General

Q: Why is the realignment happening?
A: Temple University takes pride in its ability to adapt to the changing needs of the world, while ensuring the best educational experience for our students.

Under the new academic alignment, the Center for the Arts will unify the education of all of our visual and performing arts students under one umbrella. The center brings together Temple’s acclaimed programs in the arts for the first time in the university’s history.

The School of Media and Communication will continue SCT’s legacy of being an educational powerhouse that will benefit from a sharper focus on its core areas of study. It will continue to place emphasis on creativity, collaboration and entrepreneurship in the fields of media and communication.

Q: Does this mean people are moving to a new building?
A: No. The Theater Department will remain in Tomlinson Theater and the Film and Media Arts Department will remain in Annenberg Hall. The Center for the Arts is not a new physical space, rather an administrative structure overarching Temple’s academic programs focused on the arts.

Q: What does this do to my degree?
A: All degrees at Temple are awarded by the university, not the individual schools and colleges.

• If you are a current student, you will complete the program you started.

• If you are an alumnus or alumna, your degree will still carry with it the honor and recognition that it always has. It will continue to tell future employers that you came from a program with a strong history of producing knowledgeable and hard working communicators grounded in a solid foundation of theory and practice.

Although our name is changing, the connection you have to all who have come through our programs remains. As we continuously strengthen our programs, it further enhances the value of your Temple degree.

Q: What else is involved in the realignment?
A: BTMM will be renamed the Department of Media Studies and Production, effective July 1, 2012. Students admitted in Fall 2012 and currently enrolled students may either remain in the currently named BTMM BA or MA programs or select the newly named degrees in Media Studies and Production. Students opting to remain in BTMM will have until Spring 2017 to complete the requirements of their programs.

Q: Are there more changes coming?
A: No additional realignment is currently being discussed or planned.

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Current Undergraduate Students

Q: Will my major or graduation requirements change?
A: No, your major and graduation requirements will remain the same for the program in which you are currently enrolled, provided you remain continuously enrolled. Temple University’s policy is that requirements may change for continuing students who do not remain continuously enrolled (excluding summer) and who do not submit a Leave of Absence form.

Q: I’m not sure to which school/college I belong.
A: Current students who are FMA or Theater majors and incoming students who are FMA or Theater majors and who enter in Fall 2012 will be affiliated with their respective department in the Center for the Arts. Current and incoming students who are Advertising, BTMM, Communication Studies, Journalism or Strategic Communication majors will be affiliated with their respective department in the School of Media and Communication.

Q: Where will I go for advising?
A: All existing and incoming undergraduate students in fall 2012 will continue to be advised in Student Affairs, room 9, Annenberg Hall.

Q: I am an FMA major. Will I still have access to the Equipment Office in Annenberg Hall?
A: Yes.

Q: Will I still receive my scholarship?
A: If you have been awarded a scholarship for academic year 2012-2013 by Temple, SCT or the department of your major, you will still receive your scholarship as long as you continue to meet initial eligibility criteria.

Q: Will the cost of my program change?
A: Please see the information below about the SMC tuition differential.

Q: As an FMA or Theater major, am I still able to study away through SCT’s programs?
A: Yes, Study Away programs are open to students in any major throughout the university.

Q: I am an FMA or Theater major graduating in August 2012 or January 2013. Which ceremony will I attend?
A: At the present time, the plan is to have all summer and fall FMA and Theater graduates participate in the School of Media and Communication February ceremony. We will update you should any changes occur to this plan.

Q: What will my diploma read?
A: Diplomas are awarded by Temple University, so there will be no change to diplomas.

Q: May I double-major in both a department in the School of Media and Communication and a department in the Center for the Arts? 
A: You may complete a major both in the School of Media and Communication and the Center for the Arts as long as you are able to meet the minimum requirements for both majors and still complete all other university requirements. Please plan to meet with an advisor from each unit if you plan to double-major.

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Current Graduate Students

Q: Who will process my TA/RA/IA contract?
A: All graduate assistantships for Fall 2012 will be processed by Nicole McKenna in the Graduate Office, as they have been done in the past. If there is any change after the fall term, you will be notified by email from the Graduate Office.

Q: Who will process my tuition remission?
A: All tuition remission for Fall 2012 will be processed by Nicole McKenna in the Graduate Office, as has been done in the past. If there is any change after the fall term you, will be notified by email from the Graduate Office.

Q: I need to register for a special projects/directed readings course. Who should I contact?
A: Initially, you will meet with the faculty member involved and then see Nicole McKenna in the Graduate Office for registration. If there is any change, you will be notified by email from the Graduate Office.

Q: I need to schedule my comps/prelims/dissertation proposal/defense. Who should I contact?
A: If you are a masters or MFA student, you should contact your department graduate director. MMC doctoral students should contact the Graduate Office.

Q: I need to register for prelim exam/pre-dissertation/dissertation credits. Who should I contact?
A: All graduate special authorization registrations will be processed by the Graduate Office, as they have been done in the past. If there is any change after the fall term, you will be notified by email from the Graduate Office.

Q: A member of my exam/dissertation committee is on the FMA faculty. Can they continue to serve on my committee?
A: Yes, members of the FMA faculty will continue to serve on MMC committees until they have completed all of their responsibilities.

Q: Can courses I took in FMA still be counted as MMC credits?
A: Yes, all courses you have taken will count.

Q: Where do I go for advising?
A: All existing and incoming graduate students should go to their assigned advisor or graduate program director. Please contact the graduate office if you have further questions about graduate advising.

Q: I am graduating in summer 2012/fall 2012 from the FMA/Theater program. Which ceremony will I attend?
A: At the present time, the plan is to have all summer and fall graduates participate in the School of Media and Communication February ceremony. If there is any change to this plan you will be notified by email by the Graduate Office.

Q: I am an MFA student in FMA/Theater. Will I continue to have access to the Graduate Lounge in Annenberg Hall?
A: Yes, this is an administrative change. Access to facilities will remain the same.

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Incoming Students

Q: Will my major or graduation requirements change?
A: No, your major and graduation requirements will remain the same for the program in which you first enrolled in fall 2012, provided you remain continuously enrolled. Temple University’s policy is that requirements may change for continuing students who do not remain continuously enrolled and who do not submit a Leave of Absence form.

Q: Will the cost of my program change?
A: Tuition rates are set and approved by the Board of Trustees. For current tuition rates, please visit http://www.temple.edu/bursar/about/tuitionrates.htm. Scholarships will continue to be available to students with strong academic performance and financial need. For more information, please visit http://smcsites.com/undergraduate/scholarships/.

New scholarships may also become available. For updates, please continue to check this scholarship website.

Q: Where do I go for advising?
A:  All existing and incoming students in fall 2012 will continue to be advised in Student Affairs, room 9, Annenberg Hall.

Q: How will access to SCT’s services change for FMA and Theater majors?
A: FMA and Theater majors will continue to have full access to existing services, including access to equipment.

Q: I’m not sure to which school/college I belong.
A: Current students who are FMA or Theater majors and incoming students who are FMA or Theater majors and who enter in Fall 2012 will be affiliated with their respective department in the Center for the Arts. Current and incoming students who are Advertising, BTMM, Communication Studies, Journalism or Strategic Communication majors will be affiliated with their respective department in the School of Media and Communication.

Q: Will the realignment change the reputation of the degree I’m pursuing?
A: Your degree will still carry with it the honor and recognition of a Temple degree and will tell future employers that you came from a program with a strong history of producing knowledgeable and hard-working communications grounded in a solid foundation of theory and practice.

Q: May I double-major in both a department in the School of Media and Communication and a department in the Center for the Arts? 
A: You may complete a major both in the School of Media and Communication and the Center for the Arts as long as you are able to meet the minimum requirements for both majors and still complete all other university requirements. Please plan to meet with an advisor from each unit if you plan to double-major.

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Faculty

Q: Who can I contact with specific questions?
A: We are still working to resolve many issues regarding faculty matters, especially for those in FMA and Theater. Please contact Deborah Marshall at 215-204-1961 or augusta@temple.edu.

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Staff

Q: Who will be my timekeeper?
A: There will be no immediate change in your timekeeper. You will be notified by email when any change takes place as a result of the reorganization.

Q: Will I continue to enter my time off requests into the SCT Portal?
A: There will be no immediate change in the process for time off requests. You will be notified by email when any change takes place as a result of the reorganization.

Q: Who will approve/sign-off on bi-weekly hourly payroll (staff and students)?
A: There will be no immediate change in the payroll approvals. You will be notified by email when any change takes place as a result of the reorganization.

Q: Who will approve/sign-off on monthly payroll (staff only)?
A: There will be no immediate change in the approval/signoff for monthly payroll. You will be notified by email when any change takes place as a result of the reorganization.

Q: Who will be my contact person for the scheduling of classes in Banner and R25 (Fall 2012 changes and Spring 2013)?
A: Dawn Ramos will continue to be your contact. You will be notified by email when any change takes place as a result of the reorganization.

Q: When do we begin to reference our new name (School of Media and Communication/Center for the Arts)? What about business cards, letterhead/envelopes, Online, departmental, elevator and floor directories, etc.?
A: The realignment takes effect on July 1, 2012. Please start referring to the new names at that time. We are in the process of obtaining new logos and will have materials printed soon. Departments will be responsible for ordering their own stationery and business cards. New directories are being developed and will be posted in a few weeks.

Q: Who will have signature authorization to process payments, including JETs and TU Marketplace requests?
A: There will be no immediate change in the signature authorization other than normal due to chair rotations. You will be notified by email when any change takes place as a result of the reorganization.

Q: When will our FOAPs change?
A: We are discussing FOAPs. They may change or stay the same and be redirected by Banner. You should continue using the existing FOAPs until notified of any change as a result of the reorganization.

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Alumni

Q: I am a graduate from the Theater or Film and Media Arts Departments. Is my degree affected in any way?
A: No, your degree from Temple University remains a valuable and appreciating asset. Nothing regarding its status has changed.

Q: I am currently on SCT’s mailing and email list. Will that change?
A: Alumni of the current Advertising; Communication Studies; Broadcasting, Telecommunications and Mass Media; Journalism; or Strategic Communication programs, as well as the former programs of Communications; Journalism, Public Relations and Advertising (JPRA); Radio/TV/Film (RTF); and Strategic and Organizational Communications (StOC) will continue to receive various forms of communication from the School of Media and Communication.

Alumni of FMA and Theater will begin receiving information from the Center for the Arts after July 1, 2012.

Q: What if I have a different communication preference?
A: We will be happy to accommodate your wishes. We are in the process of building a website that will allow you to inform us of your preferred point(s) of contact. Details will be provided to you when that site is operational. Should you wish to call us with your preference, please do so at 215-204-3326.

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Donors

Q: Is my recent gift to the School of Communications and Theater still tax deductible?
A: Yes, we appreciate your recent gift and it is still tax deductible to the extent the law allows. This status has not changed.

Q: I am involved with a scholarship or award fund for Theater or Film and Media Arts. What will happen to that fund?
A: We are grateful for your support and your fund is being carefully maintained. Funds currently designated to the FMA and Theater departments will stay with those departments. However, it is your decision whether your scholarship or award continues to be distributed from the School of Media and Communication or moves to the Center for the Arts. Director of Development Michele Blazer is available to discuss this with you and can be reached at 215-204-3326.

Q: Will I continue to receive Intercom and other mailings from the School of Media and Communication?
A: Anyone who has made a recent gift to SCT and who continues to give to the School of Media and Communication will receive our newsletter, mailings and invitations.

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SMC Tuition Differential

The Temple University Board of Trustees has approved a tuition differential for the School of Media and Communication (SMC) to be rolled out over five years, starting in 2012-13.

A tuition differential is a modest charge above a university’s base tuition. It is common across the nation for specialized professional programs like SMC with specific technological needs to require an additional charge to ensure access to the best educational tools. Several other schools and colleges at Temple have such differentials.

For undergraduate students, the charge will be $150 per semester in 2012-13. It will be incrementally increased in each of the next five years and will be capped at $750 per semester in the 2016-17 academic year.

For graduate students and all students taking summer courses, the tuition differential will be $20 per credit hour in 2012-13. It will be incrementally increased in each of the next five years and will be capped at $100 per credit hour in the 2016-17 academic year.

Benefits to students include:

  • Elimination of most course fees (a savings of an average of more than $100 per year for undergraduates beginning in 2013-14)
  • Continued focus on improving student access to equipment and technology
  • Reduced class size
  • Addition of peer support for large classes
  • Improved facilities
  • Additional advisors
  • Additional technical support in labs
  • Additional student support at the department level
  • Financial support for student travel to conferences
  • Financial support for student organizations related to SMC
  • Financial support for capstone courses

Financial assistance:

The School of Media and Communication has created the Tuition Differential Award, which will be need-based and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. In 2012-13, undergraduate students are eligible for a maximum award of $300. The award, which is intended to help students during the transition, is subject to the confirmation of financial need (EFC) and the availability of funds. It may be applied to tuition and fees only.

CLICK HERE to download the Tuition Differential Award application. (PDF file)

The Board of Trustees also announced the university will make an additional $8 million in financial aid available to students. Additionally, the School of Media and Communication is partnering with Temple University in a five-year, multi-million dollar campaign to raise money for scholarships throughout the university.

CLICK HERE to learn about some of the scholarships available through SMC.

Questions may be directed to the
School of Media and Communication Dean’s Office
Email: smcdean@temple.edu
Phone: 215-204-8422