• by John Gaffney , April 8, 2003

Internet development will play a big role in Syracuse University's new $15 million expansion of its S.I. Newhouse School for Public Communications.

"We're going to have a web based reporting facility and classroom based much on the model that exists at places like Marketwatch and Bloomberg," said David Rubin, dean of the Newhouse School. "A journalist's job hasn't changed much over the past year's in terms of writing and reporting, but a print journalist may be called on to do more than ever, especially in contributing to broadcast and radio."

The $15 million grant will fund new construction and many projects but is notable for its concentration on Internet projects. Among the projects are the construction of two modern newsrooms, one for web-based reporting and the other for broadcast journalism. Rubin hopes the two will be integrated as often as possible. Each will be designed to allow students to produce content for public consumption, and to give students to experiment with interactive media content.

"We know that speed is one of the tings that has changed in journalism on the Internet," Rubin said. "But we also know that education is important. We don't believe in the method that puts pressure on students will not use the high-pressure method that demands creation without guidance from teachers. Some students need to be nurtured."

Rubin is most excited about the "convergence lab" concept that he hopes to create in the classrooms. The construction is expected to be completed in two years.