Save University of Florida's Documentary Institute
Target:
president@ufl.edu, jglover@aa.ufl.edu,morgandf@ufl.edu, larry.cretul@myfloridahouse.gov, oelrich.steve.web@flsenate.gov ,jwright@jou.ufl.edu,
Sponsored by:
In a time when print media is losing strength and television news is shifting towards entertainment, documentary films are filling a void for honest and well-researched journalism. The College of Journalism and Communications at the University of Florida is planning to terminate The Documentary Institute, an award-winning graduate program. Please help us save The Doc Institute by signing this petition.
In a time when print media is losing strength and television news is shifting towards entertainment, documentary films are filling a void for honest and well-researched journalism. The College of Journalism and Communications at the University of Florida is planning to terminate The Documentary Institute, an award-winning graduate program. Please help us save The Doc Institute by signing this petition.
To: President Machen
cc: Provost Joe Glover
Board of Trustees Chair Dianna Morgan
Dean John Wright
State Senator Steve Oelrich
State Rep Larry Cretul
Dear President Machen,
We the undersigned are dismayed about the plans to disband the College of Journalism and Communication%u2019s Documentary Institute and fire the four faculty that are currently administering this outstanding program.
The Documentary Institute was recently listed as a Top-Ten documentary film program along with NYU, UC Berkeley and Stanford. Every year since 2006, Documentary Institute graduate thesis films were nominated for Student Emmys and the David L. Wolper award (the two most prestigious international awards for documentary film students). In addition, the Institute%u2019s four Professors, Dr. Churchill Roberts, Dr. Sandra Dickson, Cindy Hill and Cara Pilson, have won numerous coveted awards for their work in documentary film, bringing unprecedented notoriety to the University of Florida.
The Documentary Institute is not an esoteric curriculum. Graduates are immediately employable and are prepared for the age of digital media. Documentary Institute graduates now work at major media outlets including National Geographic, The Discovery Channel, The History Channel, ABC, NOVA and many have started their own private documentary film production companies.
In a time when mainstream news is becoming entertainment, documentary film is filling a void in true journalism where the journalist can take the time to research important stories and accurately bring issues to the masses. The Documentary Institute has already put the University of Florida in the lead pack of this burgeoning field. It would be tragic to lose this program that has an undeniable track record of success and sure future on the cutting edge of journalism. We urge you to reconsider the current plans to eliminate the Documentary Institute. Thank you for your time.
cc: Provost Joe Glover
Board of Trustees Chair Dianna Morgan
Dean John Wright
State Senator Steve Oelrich
State Rep Larry Cretul
Dear President Machen,
We the undersigned are dismayed about the plans to disband the College of Journalism and Communication%u2019s Documentary Institute and fire the four faculty that are currently administering this outstanding program.
The Documentary Institute was recently listed as a Top-Ten documentary film program along with NYU, UC Berkeley and Stanford. Every year since 2006, Documentary Institute graduate thesis films were nominated for Student Emmys and the David L. Wolper award (the two most prestigious international awards for documentary film students). In addition, the Institute%u2019s four Professors, Dr. Churchill Roberts, Dr. Sandra Dickson, Cindy Hill and Cara Pilson, have won numerous coveted awards for their work in documentary film, bringing unprecedented notoriety to the University of Florida.
The Documentary Institute is not an esoteric curriculum. Graduates are immediately employable and are prepared for the age of digital media. Documentary Institute graduates now work at major media outlets including National Geographic, The Discovery Channel, The History Channel, ABC, NOVA and many have started their own private documentary film production companies.
In a time when mainstream news is becoming entertainment, documentary film is filling a void in true journalism where the journalist can take the time to research important stories and accurately bring issues to the masses. The Documentary Institute has already put the University of Florida in the lead pack of this burgeoning field. It would be tragic to lose this program that has an undeniable track record of success and sure future on the cutting edge of journalism. We urge you to reconsider the current plans to eliminate the Documentary Institute. Thank you for your time.
We signed the "Save University of Florida's Documentary Institute" petition!
# 1,175:
3:32 am PST, Jan 10,
Silvia Melo, Portugal
# 1,174:
9:25 pm PST, Dec 15,
Kristen Potter, Missouri
# 1,173:
11:15 am PST, Dec 8,
Karen Leader, Pennsylvania
# 1,172:
4:26 am PST, Dec 8,
William Bonerjame, United Kingdom
I am the founder of the prestigious Bonerjame University and we at Bonerjame U support any attempt at preserving knowledge, however futile
I am the founder of the prestigious Bonerjame University and we at Bonerjame U support any attempt at preserving knowledge, however futile
# 1,171:
6:31 pm PDT, Sep 13,
Peggy Whitlow, Illinois
It would be a real disservice to terminate this excellent program.
It would be a real disservice to terminate this excellent program.
# 1,170:
6:11 pm PDT, Sep 7,
Dennis Francum, North Carolina
Documentary films are one of the most important educational resources that we have. Television would certainly be less interesting without them.
Documentary films are one of the most important educational resources that we have. Television would certainly be less interesting without them.
# 1,169:
2:54 pm PDT, Sep 1,
Steven Salzberg, Maryland
# 1,168:
1:38 pm PDT, Aug 31,
James Pangilinan, Florida
# 1,167:
1:32 pm PDT, Jul 20,
Cristina Bello-Quintero, Florida
# 1,166:
1:28 pm PDT, Jul 20,
Jose Quintero, Florida
As a double Gator (BSBA '95, JD '06), I am especially proud of all the accolades this tremendous program has earned in such a short time and it would be an absolute shame to lose it.
As a double Gator (BSBA '95, JD '06), I am especially proud of all the accolades this tremendous program has earned in such a short time and it would be an absolute shame to lose it.
# 1,165:
1:17 pm PDT, Jul 20,
Jose Quintero, Florida
# 1,163:
6:24 pm PDT, Jul 7,
Joni Varner, California
# 1,162:
8:19 am PDT, Jun 21,
Travis Prescott, Florida
Cutting an award-winning program simply does not make sense.
Cutting an award-winning program simply does not make sense.
# 1,161:
6:47 am PDT, Jun 4,
Amy Mintz, Illinois
For more impact, add a personal comment here
For more impact, add a personal comment here
# 1,160:
7:40 am PDT, May 29,
Shannon Stancil, Washington
# 1,159:
9:14 am PDT, May 28,
Nilda Elizondo, Texas
# 1,158:
12:58 pm PDT, May 27,
Barry Boehm, New Jersey
As an academnic and historian, I can't think of a better means to debate and further define the strengths and weaknesses of new media and documentary projects as part of the historians bag of tools than programs like the documentary institute. To lose such a program sets us all back a bit.
As an academnic and historian, I can't think of a better means to debate and further define the strengths and weaknesses of new media and documentary projects as part of the historians bag of tools than programs like the documentary institute. To lose such a program sets us all back a bit.
# 1,157:
8:31 am PDT, May 27,
Hillary Pierce, North Carolina
I applied to the MAMC: Documentary grad program for Fall 2009 only to receive an email that I would be getting a refund for my application fee. This program is highly esteemed and respected and I wanted nothing more than to be a part of it.
I applied to the MAMC: Documentary grad program for Fall 2009 only to receive an email that I would be getting a refund for my application fee. This program is highly esteemed and respected and I wanted nothing more than to be a part of it.
# 1,156:
9:06 pm PDT, May 25,
Ernesto Palma, Jr, Texas
I'm taking a History in Film Documentary and I've come to appreciate such a beautiful art.
I'm taking a History in Film Documentary and I've come to appreciate such a beautiful art.
# 1,155:
10:02 am PDT, May 23,
Lane Stidham, Florida
The Florida State Legislature wastes our tax dollars on pet projects year after year. Why, just two years ago, the State had an additional $2 billion surplus. Where did it go? Now, Dean John Wright has the difficult decision ahead of him. And, I'm sure lots of sleepless nights. Do whatever is necessary to keep the Documentary Institute. Not only keep it, but expand the program!! Lane Stidham Class of '81 BSBR
The Florida State Legislature wastes our tax dollars on pet projects year after year. Why, just two years ago, the State had an additional $2 billion surplus. Where did it go? Now, Dean John Wright has the difficult decision ahead of him. And, I'm sure lots of sleepless nights. Do whatever is necessary to keep the Documentary Institute. Not only keep it, but expand the program!! Lane Stidham Class of '81 BSBR
# 1,154:
9:38 am PDT, May 22,
John Cook, California
This is a unique and powerful program for the University. You should do everything in your power to save it.
This is a unique and powerful program for the University. You should do everything in your power to save it.
# 1,153:
5:37 pm PDT, May 21,
Amanda Hartrey, California
# 1,152:
4:52 pm PDT, May 21,
EDWARD L. FALLON, Connecticut
# 1,151:
1:39 pm PDT, May 21,
Name not displayed, Rhode Island
