Provost Ralph Faudree reinstated two senior level public relations courses Wednesday.
Without these classes many University of Memphis public relation majors would not have been able to graduate in December. The courses are case studies (JOUR 4420) and public relations campaigns (JOUR 4440).
"If it involves seniors, we do everything we can to make it happen," said Faudree, University provost.
Journalism department chair Dr. Jim Redmond said that Faudree cares about the welfare of students.
"In a lot of places, the students would not have gotten anything. The provost here is sensitive to the students," he said.
He also said that he never wanted to cut the budget, but had to out of necessity because of the lack of funds.
Redmond said he was elated when he heard the news, as was Jobeth Harpole, senior public relations major.
"It's really incredible because we worked really hard to have our voice heard," Harpole said. "It gives me a sense of accomplishment."
Many U of M journalism students took action when they first heard about the cancellations two weeks ago.
Clay Thompson, public relations major, was among them.
"We are really excited," Thompson said. "The word was that we were only going to get one of them. We didn't expect two."
Even though he was unhappy about the cancellations, Thompson said he understood why it happened in the first place.
"We know it was a pre-emptive strike for the budget cuts that will made in July," he said.
He also said he assumed they were dropped because senior classes are smaller than beginner level classes.
Redmond said in the fall semester of 2005 that both courses will be offered simultaneously, but starting in spring of 2006 they will be held in the fall and spring semesters, respectively.
Melanie George was also involved in getting the courses added.
"I am excited and glad that we made a difference," she said. "I think if we hadn't done anything at all, nothing would have happened. We protested in a respectful way and got people's attention."Redmond said he was proud of the student's efforts.
"This says something about our journalism department," Redmond said. "It is fun to have people around who care about their education. They care enough about their education to do something about it. It is great to have them in my major."
Now that the dust has settled, Thompson and George are hoping to graduate in December 2005.
"If we hadn't gotten in a group and worked together, it would have never been this strong," George said.
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