IU journalism school fights for independence

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — A plan to create a new school of communication at Indiana University is drawing fire from many tied to IU's century-old journalism school who object to losing the school's independence.

The Herald-Times reports (http://bit.ly/Ywn8l7 ) Bloomington Provost Lauren Robel will recommend that mass media studies be rolled into one new School of Communication, Media and Journalism under the College of Arts and Sciences.

The School of Journalism separated from the college in the 1980s and became an independent school within the university.

Interim journalism Dean Michael Evans says a merger would increase resources. But he opposes moving the school into arts and sciences and says there is no precedent for doing so.

Robel's recommendation goes to IU President Michael McRobbie and the Board of Trustees for consideration.