With the opening of the Robertson Media Center in Clemons Library this week, students are one step closer to being able to major in media studies.
Media Center Director Rick Provine said there already is "tremendous interest" in the Center, and the facility will "create an environment more conducive to the study of media."
The Center, which is located on the third floor of Clemons Library, will consolidate the library's media resources into one floor. The Center will hold audio, video and CD-based media, as well as housing small-group rooms and full-sized classrooms.
With the increased presence of the media in society, it is important that students engage themselves in the hands-on study that the Media Center will provide, said Johanna Drucker, director of the new media studies program at the University.
The academic program in media studies, which is scheduled to become available to students next fall, will be centered on the "history and criticism of the media," Drucker said.
Although the exact plan of study and the required courses have not been finalized, the program in media studies is expected to "lay a foundation for the pursuit of various careers in media," she said.
"It's really in the planning stages right now," she added. Once finished, the program will provide students with a "good solid education and an option to branch off in several different areas."
Drucker emphasized that students who choose to major in media studies are not locked in to a single career, but instead have choices in the field of media.
For example, they could focus on the analysis of the media in society or prepare to study news or television media.
The development of the Media Center came largely as a result of a $1.2 million gift from Timothy Robertson, a Class of 1977 graduate and a member of the Board of Visitors.
Robertson said creating the Media Center was like putting together parts of a puzzle.
He said first he and the University had to find a director. Next he said he found a physical place for the Media Center in Clemons Library.
He added that he hopes the next stage will be to bring in visiting professors to be in-house residents for a semester or a year.
Drucker, who has taught at schools such as SUNY-Purchase, Yale and Colombia, described the opening of the Media Center as the "start of a really exciting time at U.Va."
The Robertson Media Center will hold an open house today from 2 to 4 p.m.
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