Broadcast Re-write

Anchor: Faced with slashed state funding, the University of Colorado is entertaining the idea of merging its journalism school with other disciplines to create a broader "school of information."

VO (Camera pans across the armory and then across the ATLAS building): The proposed merger would combine the Alliance for Technology, Learning and Society with The School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Given the current boom in digital media and the ongoing evolution of Journalism, CU educators say that the combination makes sense both academically as well as financially.

(Cut to video of Dean Paul Vokes): Quote- "We've got a faculty that is definitely aware and studying these changes. In terms of all of the cutting-edge technical aspects, we see a wonderful opportunity with ATLAS.

Anchor: The University of Colorado would not be the first university to take such actions. According to a preliminary report, more than 25 'schools of information', existing under various names, have been created at comparable universities across the country. The merger has potential benefits for both institutions. ATLAS needs to cut its $1.16 million general fund annual budget by 10 percent, while the journalism school needs to cut 7.7 percent of its $3.9 million general fund annual budget.

VO (Run clip of Lauren Brown working in the lab): Both the faculty and students agree that this transition does not seem overbearing.

(Cut to video of Dean Paul Vokes): "There's a very active interest that our students have in the Technology, Arts and Media program, It's a very good sign for things we can accomplish in the future."

Anchor: In a rapidly changing digital environment, the merger could give the journalism school the technological edge that will keeps its students afloat.

(Cut to video of Lauren Brown): ""I think that with emerging digital media being so present in advertising and journalism, you have to have these skills to be a marketable candidate."

Anchor: While the introduction of the school of information could lessen the severity of the budget cuts suffered by both institutions, the merger could mean the elimination of at least one job.