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June 16, 2005
MU School of Journalism Moving to Communications Building
by HNN Staff
Huntington (HNN) – Marshall University's W. Page Pitt School of Journalism
and Mass Communications, located on the third floor of Smith Hall since
1966, is moving into a new home.
The school's faculty and staff began moving May 9, 2005 into the
Communications Building, which is located next to Smith Hall and houses MU's
television and radio studios. The move, which will continue through the
summer, is part of a campus improvement project at Marshall.
The space in the Communications Building became available to the School of
Journalism last year when West Virginia Public Broadcasting consolidated
into Charleston and no longer needed its offices in Smith Hall.
Dr. Corley Dennison, dean of the School of Journalism, said the move creates
numerous opportunities for expanding the program.
"It enhances convergence opportunities for student media with the new
facilities side by side," Dennison said. "And, it presents a naming
opportunity for the Communications Building."
The TV studio, also known as Studio A, is being upgraded this summer as
well. Interim President Michael J. Farrell approved $130,000 for the
upgrade.
Also, West Virginia Public Broadcasting will maintain a presence at Marshall
with a bureau in the Communications Building that Dennison said will create
opportunities for stories involving faculty and students. The school's
student-run radio station, WMUL-FM, will remain on the second floor of the
Communications Building.
Dennison said he's hopeful the TV studio renovations will be finished by the
first of September, and that an official opening of the new School of
Journalism facility can take place sometime that month.
When the School of Journalism moved off the third floor of Smith Hall, the
staff from the second floor temporarily moved in to allow for asbestos
abatement on the second floor, which is ongoing. Once that is complete,
asbestos abatement will begin on the third floor, and that should be
finished by next spring.
For more information on the journalism school's move to the Communications
Building, contact Dennison at (304) 696-2809.
